Wednesday in Edinburgh – What’s On Today

South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 2014 marked the 20th anniversary of democracy and freedom in South Africa. To commemorate this landmark date, South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour, a season of South African cinema, is taking place from October 2014 to April 2015 at venues across the UK, bringing the diversity, creative innovation and technical brilliance of South African cinemas to British audiences. Today’s film: Miners Shot Down (15) (In English and Zulu with English subtitles). In August 2012 mineworkers in one of South Africa’s biggest platinum mines began a wildcat strike for better wages. Six days later the police used live ammunition to brutally suppress the strike, killing 34 and injuring many more. Using the point of view of the Marikana miners, this film follows the strike from day one, showing the courageous but isolated fight waged by a group of low-paid workers against the combined forces of the mining company Lonmin, the ANC government and their allies in the National Union of Mineworkers. What emerges is collusion at the top, spiralling violence and the country’s first post-apartheid massacre.  The screening will be followed by a discussion on the ongoing struggle for human rights in post-apartheid South Africa, featurng a panel of experts and chaired by Lizelle Bisschoff, director of South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 8.35pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688: discounts may be available if you buy tickets for several films in this season – ask at the Box Office.

Yarn Group: an informal group – bring your knitting or crochet, share experiences, have a chat and get help with problems. 10am-12 noon today and every Wednesday, Penicuik Arts Centre West Street. Entry by donation.

Incredible Power of Light: Vulcan is a laser facility 10,000 times more powerful than the National Grid; it can deliver pulses of light of up to one petawatt of energy. A replica of this amazing laser forms the centrepiece of this new exhibition, celebrating the International Year of Light 2015, along with interactive exhibits, animations, hardware and displays that tell the story of how lasers impact on our daily lives. 10am-4.30pm (last entry – closes 5pm), Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays), Main Hall, The Scottish Parliament, Holyrood. Ends 30th April 2015. Free. The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of children’s workshops and talks for adults and young adults throughout April: for full details click here. Part of Edinburgh International Science Festival 2015.

Righteous Muslims: a joint project between Sukkat Shalom: the Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community, Marchmont St Giles Church and the Muslim Women’s Association of Edinburgh. During the Second World War many Muslims, especially in south-east Europe, sheltered Jewish neighbours from the Nazis. Some are honoured as Righteous Muslims by Yad Vashem. Faith Matters, a Muslim civic organisation, has created an exhibition telling some of the stories; it has been displayed in many places in the UK, and this is its first showing in Scotland. Launch tonight at 6pm, then 10am-4pm Monday to Friday, Butterflies Cafe, Marchmont St Giles Parish Church Centre, 1a Kilgraston Road. If you would like to attend the launch, please email contact@eljc.org. Ends 12th April 2015.

The Scottish Gallery – New Exhibitions: (1) Katie Downie: Estuary. Following three months of travel through Australia and Japan, artist Katie Downie presents bright new ink and watercolour paintings from Outback river source to the coast, pictorial diaries and oil paintings. ‘This new body of work marks a serious development in the artist’s deep encounters with both the built and the natural river lands around the edges of the Pacific Rim’. (2) Eugenie Vronskaya: Still Point in a Turning World. Highlands-based painter Vronskaya studied icon painting from an early age and was the first Russian student to enrol for the Masters course at the Royal College of Art. She has since exhibited worldwide. ‘Vronskaya has few rivals in Britain for sheer draughtsmanship’ John Russell Taylor. (3) Cutting Edge: Modern Hungarian Glass. An exhibition showcasing 16 Hungarian glass artists, including both emerging and established makers; curated by Attila Sik of Prism Gallery, Birmingham. 10am-6pm Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm Saturdays, The Scottish Gallery, 16 Dundas Street. All exhibitions end 28th April 2015.

Lunchtime Concert: Piano Speak with Will Pickvance. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Craigmillar Library Book Group: currently reading A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka. 6.30pm, Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road. All welcome: a copy of the book may be obtained from library staff.

Lounge Act feat. Caroline Gilmour, The Woods (aka Johnny McFadzean) and Frida Ecklund. A trio of talented singer-songwriters making great strides on the local scene. 7.30pm, Sofi’s Bar, Henderson Street. Free.

National Library of Scotland Guided Tour: A guided tour of the building and an introduction to the Library’s collections and history. 10.30am, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is essential as numbers are limited: reserve your place online here or by calling the Library on 0131 623 3734. Please inform the Library of any special access requirements.

Edinburgh College of Naturopathic Medicine: a drop-in session with Gayle Fitzpatrick, who will answer your questions about studying with CNM. 1-3pm, Henderson’s Restaurant, Hanover Street.

The Importance of Being: actor John Cairney talks about his unique life and his thoughts on spirituality and human connections. Cairney’s words underline the importance of recognising the gift we have simply in living, and how crucial it is to appreciate each moment of our lives. ‘A philosophical look back at a life well lived’. 2pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is required, either online here or by calling the Library on 0131 623 3734.

Staff Works: an exhibition of art works from the staff of the Boda Bars. Preview tonight from 7pm, then usual opening hours, Victoria Bar, 265 Leith Walk,

The Gettup: diminish your midweek blues with DJs Thom and Pagowsky, who bring you the very best in Disco and Deep House. 9pm-3am tonight and every Wednesday, Cabaret Voltaire, 36 Blair Street. Free entry.

Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council: the agenda for the meeting may be seen here. 7pm, Persevere Room, Leith Community Education Centre, 12a Newkirkgate. All welcome.