AUGUST 2021 and the streets of Edinburgh are busier than they have been for a long time. Not crowded, but with residents, workers and visitors to the city moving around again. Cafes and venues that have survived the last 18 months are open again, often with tables outside and all the tighter hygiene regulations in place.

The Festivals are all underway, albeit in different formats to previous years. And the enthusiasm for live performance, both in the audiences and amongst those who are performing, is evident.

Since 2007, Festivals Edinburgh has sought to bring together representatives of all Edinburgh’s Festivals to improve co-ordination and the benefits that the Festivals bring to the city. During the earlier stages of the pandemic, this has been a voice for the industry, seeking clarification on social distancing measures across the sector, calling for sustainable funding programmes and sharing information and resources.

Some of the Festivals take place at different times of the year, such as the Scottish Storytelling Festival planned for October 2021 and the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, cancelled this year and scheduled for May 2022.

The Edinburgh International Festival (EIF), the International Book Festival, the Arts Festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Edinburgh International Film Festival (rescheduled from June) are now up and running this month.

A range of events, some free and others with a range of ticket prices, have been well received. The EIF sold more than half of the available tickets within a couple of days. There are more hybrid events, with the Book Festival in its new location at the University of Edinburgh Art College running sessions, livestreams online and with reduced audiences on site.

The EIF, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary next year in 2022, moved everything online in 2020, reaching audiences across the world, with performers working under very different conditions.

Companies which had to cancel coming to Edinburgh because of the pandemic were given the option of booking for this year (or next). EIF staff were furloughed or moved to working from home. The catering outlet based in central Edinburgh at the Hub closed, with the loss of a number of hospitality jobs.

Preparing for some live performance this year has been a challenge for the theatre companies, Scottish Opera, orchestras and for those who run and manage the venues. Economic recovery, whilst keeping everyone safe in this difficult public health situation, remains unsteady.

The trade unions, along with campaigning organisations such as Excluded UK, have highlighted just how many workers and performers were falling through the UK and Scottish government schemes in the creative sector. Targeted support, variations in the furlough scheme and a longer-term “bridging” funding approach is needed and the STUC has added its voice to this approach too.

Events in Edinburgh this year have been planned with the uncertainty of the impact of the Covid pandemic evident at all times. Decisions had to be taken early on about social distancing to allow for ticketing and budgets to be worked out. Staffing levels have been adjusted and additional hygiene measures put in place.

Organising events in a different way, for instance separating backstage staff from front of house to minimise public contact and regular Covid testing requirements, running shorter performances, minimising queueing and crowds – there has been a lot to consider.

The decision had to be taken in June to cancel the EIF opening event  – the three days of free NightLights shows scheduled to take place in the Botanic Gardens. The quarantine regulations at the time meant that the workers from the French Compagnie Carabosse could not travel to prepare for the event.

The biggest concert and theatre venues in Edinburgh have not yet reopened, so the EIF planned for events in three open air spectacular covered structures with much reduced ticket numbers and social distancing. These have been well received.

But with maximum live audience numbers of 670 at Edinburgh Park and Inverleith and 230 at Edinburgh University Old College, this is very different from previous years. The Traverse Theatre is operating with a maximum of 46 for each live performance and other venues face the same restrictions.

For the Edinburgh Festival Fringe the pressure on numbers has been the same, as venues adjust to the Covid requirements. But the commitment to delivering live events is strong and the mood in Edinburgh is undoubtedly positive.

Community arts projects and the links with schools continued throughout 2020 and is now being worked through in 2021. The future, whilst still uncertain, must involve everyone.

The trade unions and the Edinburgh TUC continues to have a link on the EIF Board, a position which originated in 1947 with the hope and optimism that came with that first EIF. ETUC will be hosting a roundtable event with the entertainment and arts sector trade unions to review this month’s events and to look to the future.

A number of important commitments have been made, by Festivals Edinburgh, the EIF and the City of Edinburgh Council, from addressing climate change targets, sustainability and creating opportunities for the workforce of the future too.

Scottish and UK government schemes to bring young people into the labour market should have the creative and hospitality sectors high in their priorities, with fair work principles fundamental to that. Youth unemployment levels have risen sharply in and around Edinburgh, which impacts too on the student population here and the ability of students to fund their studies.

When the scale of the Covid-19 pandemic became clear, there was much talk of “doing things differently” and tackling the now-exposed growing inequalities. Investing in culture and arts must not be seen as a luxury, but vital to our lives and to addressing those inequalities.

Ann Henderson is a trade union activist and member of the Edinburgh International Festivals Board.