Fireworks countdown starts today – at lunchtime

Festival Countdown begins with Fireworks Fridays at Edinburgh Castle at lunchtime today…..

This Friday, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and sponsor Virgin Money launch Fireworks Fridays, a weekly celebration leading up to the Virgin Money Fireworks Concert, the spectacular annual event which brings Edinburgh’s summer festival season to a close.

Today there will be a volley of fireworks released from the Castle ramparts as the One O’clock Gun fires.

A competition will also run on the Festival facebook and twitter profiles where the first people to send in photos capturing the display will win tickets to this year’s Concert. Entrants should post their photos on the Festival facebook page or use the hashtag #VMFireworksFriday on twitter.

Two more ‘Fireworks Fridays’ will follow on 2 and 9 August – the opening day of Festival 2013 – with further activity around the city and online competitions. Details of these will be available via social media and the Festival website at www.eif.co.uk/virginmoneyfireworks, where you can find comprehensive information on this year’s event, how to buy tickets and what to expect.

On Sunday 1 September at 9.00pm the Virgin Money Fireworks Concert brings Festival 2013 to an end in epic style. Over 400,000 fireworks choreographed to live orchestral music will light up the sky against the iconic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, in what is the largest annual fireworks concert in the world. The Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Garry Walker will perform Musorgsky’sPictures at an Exhibition, accompanied by an awe-inspiring display created by international firework artists Pyrovision.

Last year around 250,000 people gathered in Princes Street and at vantage points around Edinburgh, Fife and the Lothians, to share in the spectacle.

Details of the display will be revealed nearer the time, but Virgin Money Fireworks Concert fans will be delighted to know the much lovedWaterfall, when waves of fireworks cascade down from the Castle, will once again be a highlight.

Jonathan Mills, Director of the Edinburgh International Festival, said:- ‘The magic of the Virgin Money Fireworks Concert performed by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, continues to make it an unmissable part of the Festival and of life in Edinburgh. We want everyone to join in this spectacular celebration, especially stunning for those who snap up tickets to enjoy the event from Princes St Gardens. ‘Fireworks Fridays’ will count us down to Festival 2013 while heightening everyone’s anticipation for our very special grand finale’.

Roy McEwan, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra said:- ‘Fireworks Fridays provide a great reminder to the people of Edinburgh to mark the date of the Virgin Money Fireworks Concert in their diaries. It is always a hugely enjoyable event for our musicians and the audience alike and we are enormously grateful to Virgin Money for their continued support of this event.’

Virgin Money Marketing Director Paul Lloyd said: ‘Virgin Money is proud to be the official sponsor of the famous Fireworks Concert. It is the biggest event of its kind in the world and it brings everyone together, whether young or old and is enjoyed by the whole family. The Fireworks Concert is always a spectacular conclusion to yet another superb Edinburgh International Festival.’

Visit eif.co.uk/virginmoneyfireworks for up-to-the-minute news, features and advice on how to make the best of your evening at theVirgin Money Fireworks Concert.

Virgin Money Fireworks Concert

Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Garry Walker Conductor

Musorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition (arr. Ravel)

Sunday 1 September 9.00pm