Here is truth that we need to hear and confront in this viral age. Gordon Munro finds it in new work by Ben Okri and Marianne Faithfull
Blame Westminster but Holyrood has powers
Councillor Gordon Munro. was suspended from the Labour group on Edinburgh City Council after refusing to back the SNP-Labour coalition budget in May. He makes his case in the week Scotland’s Accounts Commission released a strongly worded report about the fiscal challenges facing all councils.
Voices for humanity: Max Richter’s quiet protest
‘If we get back to public performance in time the piece is tailor made to open next year’s Edinburgh International Festival – at its source is the same inspiration that reached out a hand to the vanquished of the Second World War and also led to the creation of the first festival in 1947. It would be apt too given that Max Richter studied at Edinburgh University’.
Scottish councils at breaking point
‘This will not be unique to Scotland’s capital but does illustrate the double bind that local government is in with COVID-19: tackling the problems created along with the cost of doing so with insufficient funding and still having to make cuts of £39m at the same time. This is where the unallocated monies and the underspend can be used especially now in this time of great need.’
Willie Hunter 1940-2020
‘He suffered from depression, remarking once that ‘I’ve written books and poems to self-medicate my depression’. Poetry as medicine for dementia and depression is why the passing of Willie Hunter footballer, poet and ambassador is a loss to poetry as well as those that knew him.’
Optimism of the will in Future Library
Camus speaks for our era: ‘The time of the irresponsible artists is over… The freedom of art is not worth much when its only purpose is to assure the artists comfort‘. Katie Paterson’s work (Future Library) takes that observation and invocation to heart. Go see it however you can…
Scottish council cuts: enough is enough
‘Without real and substantive change in council funding, both fiscal and legislative, then the only budget option for councils will be more cuts, fewer services, fewer workers.’
Cheaper and more democratic than the Fringe
“Essentially, this is a democratisation of the arts that is most welcome.” Gordon Munro’s pick of exciting new work in Edinburgh Festival – at prices cheaper than Fringe shows.
Strike now for the future – we have a world to win
Children around the globe are right to go on strike, and we must listen to them. Gordon Munro explains why
Slaves of Fashion: from Punjab to Paisley
As the increasingly unstable UK awaits Donald Trump’s visit, Gordon Munro commends an exhibition challenging west-centric views of trade and art with a portrayal of Trump as King Cotton, the new face of western capitalism. Could we see it in Edinburgh?