Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
10930 results for "edinburgh international festival"
Scotland's premier arts festival is turning off the phones to turn up the magic. After interruptions disrupted every single concert last year, Edinburgh International Festival is creating distraction-free performances where audiences can lose themselves in the moment.
What started as 15 musicians playing in bars has grown into an eight-day international festival that brings joy to thousands while teaching music to kids in Mexico. The Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival proves what a small group of music lovers can build together.
Presidential support is transforming a historic Nigerian fishing festival into an economic powerhouse. The Argungu International Fishing Festival is attracting global investors and boosting tourism across West Africa.
The world's most colorful sky spectacle returns to a French beach, drawing nearly a million visitors to watch giant kites dance above the waves. The 39th International Kite Festival transforms Berck-sur-Mer into a week-long celebration that's free for everyone.
The Danish island of Fanø just hosted the planet's largest kite festival, where 5,000 enthusiasts from 26 countries filled the sky with 25,000 colorful kites. The annual International Kite Fliers Meeting transformed the beach into a stunning display of aerial artistry.
A Japanese animated film has been nominated for the prestigious Golden Bear award at the Berlin International Film Festival for the first time in three years. The touching story about fireworks and change marks a major debut for rising director Yoshitoshi Shinomiya.
What started with 69 scrappy shows and beer bottle mishaps has grown into the world's largest standalone comedy festival. Melbourne's International Comedy Festival celebrates four decades of launching comedians from four-person audiences to household names.
Electronic music festival Cercle partnered with the European Space Agency to create a three-day celebration where 20,000 daily attendees experienced DJ sets among rockets and learned about Mars exploration. An astronaut opened the festival live from the International Space Station.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2Fa3%2F41%2Fa3414b09-64c5-4267-9365-a0b8230b8eb5%2Fsongkran_buddha.jpg)
Thailand's centuries-old water festival Songkran has evolved into a joyful celebration that welcomes visitors worldwide while honoring Buddhist traditions of renewal. Now recognized by UNESCO, the festival blends ancient spiritual practices with modern fun that's spreading beyond Asia.
A massive kite measuring 100 meters just set a new world record at France's beloved International Kite Festival. Tens of thousands gathered under blue skies to witness the colorful achievement in Berck-sur-Mer.
Yangzhou, China welcomed international leaders to explore partnerships in agriculture, trade, and innovation at its month-long spring festival. Cambodian officials are particularly interested in learning modern farming techniques from the historic city.
Thailand's traditional New Year water festival has been recognized as the world's liveliest celebration, drawing global attention and millions of joyful participants. UNESCO's heritage listing and international media coverage confirm Songkran's place as a cultural phenomenon that brings people together across borders.
When rain poured down during a performance in Tashkent, not a single person left the crowd of thousands. The free International Jazz Festival is connecting Grammy winners with first-time jazz listeners and putting Uzbekistan on the global music map.
After years of security concerns, over 50,000 fishermen gathered in Kebbi State for the historic Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival. The event's successful return marks a turning point for peace and stability in northern Nigeria.
Independent film lovers in Mexico City are getting another chance to see award-winning movies they'd normally miss. The Sundance Film Festival returns April 30 for its third year, bringing international cinema to five venues across the capital.
Hundreds gathered in southern England to compete in the quirky International Festival of Wormcharming, coaxing earthworms from the ground using only vibrations and sounds. The 40-year-old tradition celebrates nature while protecting every worm involved.
A fully AI-generated feature film about Iran's protest movement just became the first of its kind selected by a major international festival. Created in exile for under $2,200, it's opening new doors for storytellers who can't safely share their truth.
Every spring, Tajikistan celebrates Navruz, a 3,000-year-old festival marking renewal and unity that's drawing visitors into one of the world's most genuine cultural experiences. In 2026, the capital Dushanbe becomes the international hub for celebrations that turn strangers into neighbors.
The International Association of Blacks in Dance brings its 36th annual conference to Atlanta next week, inviting dancers and arts leaders to "disconnect to reconnect" at a celebration inspired by Black family reunions. The five-day festival features performances, workshops, and training for future artists and administrators.
In the heart of Georgia's capital, embassies from five countries gathered to celebrate Novruz, the ancient spring festival that brings together cultures across Central Asia and beyond. The March 17 event showcased traditions that have connected communities for centuries.
Showing 20 of 10930