Colors of Edinburgh - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Residents of Edinburgh are quite friendly and sociable, even though they may seem to be a bit closed at first glance. Finding an explanation to this fact is not really complicated - the fact is according to the local etiquette rules people should stay calm during the acquaintance or at the first meeting. Locals usually greet each other with the phrase «How do you do?» and a slight handshaking (by the way, this is true for both men and women). Locals do not like to talk to strangers. They will not refuse to help a lost tourist, but talking to strangers even on any ordinary topic is considered a sign of bad taste. Residents of the city have great respect to elderly people. They always pass them forward in stores and free seats in subway. Travellers are also recommended to follow these rules, otherwise your behavior may seem strange and bewildering.

Edinburgh natives have much respect towards the privacy of other people, so you should not ask them about their work or family relationships. Such themes as sports and weather are much more suitable subjects for communication. You can also discuss contemporary literature. Some of local customs may seem strange to visitors. For example, if you visit someone’s house, its host can give presents to its guests. If you are offered a gift, you absolutely shouldn’t reject it or you will offend the house’s host. National holidays of Edinburgh have always attracted many visitors from other countries. The number and choice of celebrations is really high – there are over 10 colorful festivals during a year, plus other celebrations.

Hogmanay – the local New Year – remains the favorite holiday of locals and tourists. The celebration starts on December 29. During four days various celebrations and public festivals take place on the streets of Edinburgh. Colorful fairs, theatrical performances and activities for children – you will see many people on the streets of the city until late at night. This celebration is also notable for numerous ancient traditions. Before the New Year celebration begins, everyone should clean his/her house and visit houses of all relatives and friends. When New Year is already close, townspeople go out to the streets of the city in order to perform the main ritual of the celebration. They set fire to the barrels with resin and roll them on the streets of the city. This activity symbolizes the "burning" of the old year and cleaning the way for the new one. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In Edinburgh, it is accepted to organize various spectacular festivals and celebrations on any necessary event or occasion. People here know a thing in the holidays' organization. The year starts and comes to an end with a huge New Year's celebration, where everyone participates without exception. In Scotland, New Year's holiday starts on December 30. This day takes place the torch procession, which can be seen along the streets of the old city of Edinburgh. Under the sounds of bagpipes and a drumbeat, thousands of people with torches pass on the medieval streets of Edinburgh. This unique show comes to the end with grandiose fireworks. The best view can be enjoyed from Calton Hill. You can also participate in torch procession, but all you need is to purchase the tickets from the official website.

On December 31 the central streets of Edinburgh turn into the concert hall under the open sky. A lot of Scots and tourists from all over the world gather in the downtown, to enjoy and celebrate the unforgettable atmosphere of the real holiday, which reigns in the city. At midnight, colorful and bright New Year's fireworks light the famous Edinburgh Castle, which stands on top of the basalt rock. On New Year's Eve, in the center of Edinburgh, you can find entertainments and music to your liking - from concerts of classical music by candlelight in a cathedral, concerts under the open sky, live music in pubs and to national vigorous dances under bagpipe sounds. If you are the great fan of Celtic culture, then book your tickets to Edinburgh on the April 30, when Beltane Fire Festival takes place. This is the Celtic pagan festival, which is devoted to the fire and the beginning of summer; it has also very special location - mysterious Calton Hill. In the Celtic calendar, this day is considered the beginning of summer and is celebrated by the kindling of fires on sublime places. The participants of this festival jump through fires for ritual abstersion.

In August you will have amazing possibility to enjoy 20 days of the most popular and so expected event - the Edinburgh International Festival. This is one the world's largest festivals of theatrics. It takes place in the capital of Scotland every year and lasts almost for a month! The Edinburgh International Festival of arts is the unique event: it was entered in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest event. Moreover, the theatrical, opera, dancing, and musical arts are at the same time presented here. It includes concerts of classical, band, chamber and vocal music, theatrical performances, the opera, dancing shows, ballets performed by the leading on-stage performance groups from many countries of the world. Along with the official program, during Edinburgh International Festival, passes also an "informal" part - the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which is dedicated to experimental performing art. What is cool about this event that various young and amateur, as well as experienced bands can participate with it. Even you can if have something to demonstrate and perform. Traditionally, Fringe starts one week prior to the Edinburgh festival, or along with it, and finishes at the end of August.