## Step 2 - Reading

Summer festivals in Britain
You are going to read about summer festivals in Britain.

- First read the texts.
- Study the vocabulary.
- Do the exercise.

Read the texts.

The Edinburgh Festival What type of festival is it? A better name for ‘The Edinburgh Festival’ is ‘The Edinburgh Festivals’ as the name refers to much more than a single event. In the summer months, Edinburgh is the host of many festivals. The main two are the Edinburgh International Festival, three weeks of music, theatre and dance, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival which plays host to thousands of performances from all over the world. There’s also a film festival, a science festival, an art festival, the Festival of Spirituality and Peace, a book festival, a Mela, which is an intercultural festival, and many, many, more! When did it start? The Festival began in 1947, with the aim of providing 'a platform for the flowering of the human spirit'. Where does it take place? In the city of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. How many people go to the Festival? Because there are so many events and so many festivals within ‘The Edinburgh Festival’ it’s impossible to know how many people attend. Last year, over 250,000 spectators watched the final firework display. How much does a ticket cost? Ticket prices depend on which of the many hundreds of events you choose to see. You can also see lots of events for free as they take place in the streets and in public places. For more information have a look at: http://www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk/

T in the park What type of festival is it? A three day music festival. People usually stay in the campsite next to the festival to spend the three days the festival lasts. There is also a fairground. When did it start? T in the Park started in 1994. Where does it take place? In the small town called Kinross in the east of Scotland. The festival takes place in an old airfield. How many people go to the Festival? About 80,000 each year. How much does a ticket cost? £85.75 for a 1-day ticket. Or you can pay up to £1,250 for a ticket that includes luxury accommodation. What were the highlights for 2011? Foo Fighters and Blink 182, Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay, Pulp, The Script, Plan B, Tinie Tempah, Beady Eye, Tom Jones, My Chemical Romance, and many, many more.

Womad What type of festival is it? WOMAD stands for World Of Music Arts and Dance. It celebrates music, arts and dance from countries and cultures from all over the world. When did it start? The first Womad festival was in 1982 and the aim was to give talented artists an international audience. 2007 was the 25th anniversary of the Womad Festival. Where does it take place? Womad started in the UK but now it has festivals all over the world. Womad festivals have taken place in over 20 countries. How many people go to the Festival? 20,000 people just in Womad Charlton Park in the UK. How much does a ticket cost? Prices vary. For example, the three day Womad festival to be held in Charlton Park, in Wiltshire, near Bristol costs from £135. For one night at Bristol Zoo you can pay £20 for an adult ticket. What were the highlights for 2011? In Womad UK some of the highlights include Muntu Valdo from Cameroon, Rua Macmillan from Scotland, Siyaya from Zimbabwe, Gabby Young and Other Animals from the United Kingdom, Alejandro Toledo and the Magic Tombolinos from Argentina, Costa Rica, Italy and Portugal. For more information have a look at: http://www.womad.org

The Isle of Wight Festival What type of festival is it? A music festival. When did it start? It started in 1968. 1970 was the most famous festival and 600,000 people attended. The most famous performers were Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, The Doors and Leonard Cohen. The 1970 Isle of White Festival is now part of rock festival history! From 1970 – 2001 there were no festivals. It has only been revived in 2002. Where does it take place? On the Isle of Wight, an island on the south coast of England. How many people go to the Festival? 50,000. This year the tickets are already sold out! What were the highlights for 2011? Kings of Leon, Foo fighters, Pulp, Kasabian, Kaiser Chiefs, The Courteeners and many, many more. For more information have a look at: http://www.isleofwightfestival.com/