26 June, Edinburgh: Today Edinburgh International Festival Director and Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti performed alongside guitarist Plínio Fernandes as part of a series of NHS Festival Sessions, a heartfelt partnership between the International Festival and NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts bringing transformative live performances directly to patients, families, staff and volunteers across healthcare settings.
Now in its second year, the NHS Festival Sessions take place regularly year-round, bringing an exciting array of International Festival artists into NHS Lothian spaces to create curated moments of musical and emotional connection. Previous artists include the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Bamberger Symphoniker and the Philharmonia Orchestra, visiting sites such as the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital and St John’s Hospital, Livingston.
Benedetti’s performance is part of her wider Festival vision: to ensure that the joy of life-altering live performance is accessible to the broadest possible audience. This year, the International Festival continues to break down barriers to cultural participation with a range of affordability initiatives. These include:
- £10 Affordable tickets for every event in the programme, available for anyone who needs them by quoting the promo code ‘INVITED’.
- Over 1,000 donated tickets for NHS staff, charity workers, and low-income benefit recipients in partnership with Tickets for Good.
- Over 2,500 free tickets for Scotland’s young musicians aged 8–18 through the Young Musician’s Pass.
- Half-price tickets for under 18s and D/deaf, disabled & neurodivergent people for all Festival performances.
“I believe in removing barriers to cultural discovery. Everyone is invited to the International Festival – that’s why half of our tickets will be sold for £30 or less, and by extending our performances into community and healthcare settings, we’re reaching people where they are, and bringing a taste of the Festival to those who may be unable to attend.”
Festival Director Nicola Benedetti
“Our partnership with the Edinburgh International Festival through the NHS Festival Sessions is a fantastic way to bring the transformative power of music directly into our hospitals. These year-round performances are a hugely anticipated part of our participatory arts calendar, making live performances accessible for those who would otherwise be unable to attend.”
Len McCaffer, Tonic Arts Manager at NHS Lothian Charity
“It is such a privilege to work together to bring world-class artists and musicians like Nicola Benedetti to perform directly to our patients, staff, and volunteers. Witnessing the joy and emotional connection these live sessions create, really demonstrates the importance and positive impact of the arts on wellbeing.”
This summer’s International Festival will also see flagship projects that bring groups into the heart of August’s performances, developing long-term connections with Edinburgh’s communities to find enrich local life and reflect the ideas, ambitions and creative interests of different groups within the International Festival’s year-round work.
This year’s activities focus on three key areas identified with staff and residents: Dementia Friendly activities, Skills and Training Development, and tackling Social Isolation. Throughout the year—and during August’s Festival— the range of creative, community-led projects includes a six-week artist-led course for New Scots that culminates in a co-designed August festival event featuring musicians from the Aga Khan music programme.
A multi-year Community Connections Hub partnership with Space @ Broomhouse Hub includes collaboration with citizens from across the neighbourhood connecting with Festival artists. The residents respond creatively to music by the London Symphony Orchestra, inspired by the 2025 Festival theme The Truth We Seek and their work will be shared with the community at Space @ Broomhouse Hub.
In partnership with the Wellbeing onto Work (WOW) project, an eight-week course has also been delivered for 10 young people. The course focuses on building confidence and communication skills within Festival environments, with graduates offered supported, paid work experience during the Festival. For the first time, the International Festival will also present a Dementia Friendly Concert in collaboration with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra—a relaxed, welcoming performance designed for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
For more information on the range of tickets for performances across music, dance, theatre and opera at the 2025 Edinburgh International Festival, visit https://www.eif.co.uk/affordability.
