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Out with a bang
Prepare for pageantry and patriotism, as the EIF bring a successful summer of festivals to a resounding close with their much-anticipated
Fireworks Concert. We bring you the facts and figures
The closing i reworks will travel at 200 miles per hour (322 km/hr) rising 750 feet (229 metres) above Edinburgh Castle. It takes a team of 15 pyrotechnicians seven days to lay out the i reworks at Edinburgh Castle.
Over 100,000 i reworks will be choreographed to orchestral music performed live by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Garry Walker. The Waterfall consists of 70 i ring units laid out for 118 feet (36 metres) across the Castle. Lasting one minute, the display descends 131 feet (40 metres) down the Castle Rock.
Over 250,000 people are likely to watch the i reworks from the gardens and in surrounding areas across Edinburgh. Four tonnes of explosives and over 100,000 i reworks will be used during the 45 minute concert. Twelve tonnes of kit will be used overall.
This year’s programme celebrates the Queen’s Jubilee and offers a well-heeled nod to the EIF’s plentiful Shakespearian offerings. Listen out for Walton’s ‘Orb and Sceptre’ march, written for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II; Vaughan Williams’ beautiful folk song ‘Greensleeves’; Prokoi ev’s i ery ballet score for Romeo and Juliet; and the concert’s closing piece, Walton’s music for Laurence Olivier’s acclaimed 1944 i lm Henry V. Princes Street Gardens, Sun 2 Sep, 9pm, eif.co.uk/virginmoneyi reworks. Please note: a limited number of gardens tickets will be released for sale only at The Hub in person from 10am on Sat 1 Sep.
FESTIVAL FACT RECENT FIGURES SUGGEST THAT THE FESTIVALS GENERATE MORE THAN £250M WORTH OF ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR SCOTLAND, WITH THE FRINGE CONTRIBUTING £142M.
16–23 Aug 2012 THE LIST 95