Edinburgh International Mural Festival to launch this summer
A new festival dedicated to street art and community – Edinburgh International Mural Festival – will make its debut as part of Hidden Door this June
The summer in Edinburgh spills over with festivals, and a new one is joining the throng: the Edinburgh International Mural Festival. Titled EIMF for short, the event will make its bow at The Paper Factory this June, in collaboration with Hidden Door.
Local Edinburgh artist Ross Blair has set up the festival with the aim of revitalising local urban spaces through high-quality public street art. “Edinburgh International Mural Festival is not just a festival,” says Blair in a statement. “It’s a year-round programme on a mission to elevate muralism and street art culture, offering a platform for artists to showcase their talents and inspire the next generation of muralists.”
The festival is ambitious. EIMF hopes to turn the Scottish capital into a global hub for street art, and in doing so “driving urban renewal, sparking vital conversations, and boosting the city’s international reputation”. We’re told the festival will bring together local and international artists and that the murals and street art that’s created as part of the festival will be community-driven, reflecting the character of the neighbourhood in which they’ll reside. “These large-scale artworks don’t just beautify the city – they foster pride, stimulate economic growth, and revitalise local businesses,” says the statement.
How this will play out in the Scottish capital remains to be seen. As many people in Edinburgh will be well aware, there are many conservation groups and neighbourhood associations resistant to changes to Edinburgh's streets and buildings. But good street art can be a boon for a city. You only have to look down the M8 to Glasgow to see how the explosion of official street art in and around its city centre has added much colour and vitality to its streets – although it must be said, these murals have not been without their own controversies.
Debuting the festival at The Paper Factory as part of Hidden Door should prove a good launchpad, though. “Hidden Door have been at the grassroots of the arts in Edinburgh for over a decade, establishing meaningful creative networks across the sector,” says Blair. “We hope EIMF can establish itself with the Edinburgh festival landscape over coming years.”
For more information on EIMF visit their website at eimf.co.uk or contact the EIMF team on info@eimf.co.uk
Hidden Door 2025, The Paper Factory, 1 Turnhouse Rd, Edinburgh, 11-15 Jun; full programme and ticket options at hiddendoorarts.org