In 1947, in the aftermath of the Second World War, Edinburgh International Festival, Festival d’Avignon and Holland Festival were founded independently of one another. All had the same underlying vision: “art has the unique power to unite cultures and offer a common language in a fragmented world.”

Now, on the eve of our 80th anniversary in 2027, we are joining forces for the first time in a co-production of A Trial – after an Enemy of the People. 

2026 begins a three-year collaboration, adding a new chapter to our shared legacy. 

Edinburgh International Festival: A History

In Edinburgh, founder Rudolf Bing, a cultural pioneer and Jewish refugee, joined civic and artistic leaders to imagine a festival that would transcend political boundaries through a global celebration of the performing arts.  

Every August, we demonstrate our commitment to artistic excellence, bringing people of different cultures and viewpoints together. 

Holland Festival: A History

With international cooperation woven into the fabric of its history, Holland Festival wished to bring together art and artists to heal a Europe that had been torn apart.  

“combined forces would be able to accomplish something great.” - Henk Reinink, Holland Festival founder  

The Festival’s first director, Peter Diamand, successfully delivered on this ambition, with the press noting that ‘Peter Diamand gave Holland its Festival’. After concluding his tenure in 1965, he was then appointed Director of the Edinburgh International Festival. 

For 78 years, Holland Festival has been presenting groundbreaking performing arts that have the power to move, connect, and inspire a large and diverse audience to reflect on the world we live in. The festival takes place every year in June.  

Festival d’Avignon: A History

In France, Jean Vilar, French actor and theatre director, shared this belief and championed popular theatre. He advocated that art should be accessible to all, in a time of international polarisation.  

Committed to placing the audience at the heart of creative expression, his view was that theatre should be a public service. Every July, the Festival d’Avignon presents nearly forty productions and curates readings, exhibitions, films and debates. 

Into the Future of Creative Collaboration

In 2026, the three Festivals are coming together with a co-production. Christiane Jatahy’s A Trial – after an Enemy of the People marks the start of a three-year partnership.

Picking up on Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, written almost 150 years ago, A Trial looks at timely political and ecological issues, through the setting of a public courtroom where the theatre audience becomes part of the jury.  It features award-winning actor Wagner Moura, best known for his Golden Globe–nominated role as Pablo Escobar in Netflix’s Narcos.  

Tickets for A Trial are on-sale to the public on 27 November at midday with priority booking for members.