The 70th anniversary of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, is on 11 July this year. The Fringe accidentally came about when eight groups arrived in Edinburgh hoping to perform at the newly-formed Edinburgh International Festival but were refused entry. Instead they decided to perform anyway, on the fringes of the main festival, forming the world's first ever fringe festival.
Over the last 70 years, the Edinburgh Fringe has grown to become the largest festival of theatrical arts in the world and the fringe model has spread.
To celebrate the birth of the fringe concept, fringe festivals across the globe will be staging special events on 11 July for World Fringe Day.
Shona McCarthy, the chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, who has co-ordinated the celebrations, said: "This is an incredible opportunity for fringe organisers, venues, participants and audiences to take part in a truly international celebration of creativity that will transcend national boundaries, demonstrating the power of arts and culture to bring people together. We hope as many people as possible will join us for a very special day of worldwide fringe fun, as we celebrate 70 years of fringe and pay homage to Scotland as the birthplace of the fringe movement."
More than 200 fringes from across the world will join together on World Fringe Day to reflect on the collective power and worldwide reach of the fringe movement – Adelaide Fringe has already begun its celebrations with a Ceilidh in tribute to Edinburgh and Shenzen Fringe will celebrate the 70th anniversary of Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the 8th year of Shenzhen Fringe Festival with a small show from its regular Fringers.
Here's what's happening in the UK:
Greater Manchester Fringe
They're abuzz with activity at Greater Manchester Fringe, which is in full flow from 1 to 31 July. They've been dressing babies as bees and then stuffing them with 70th birthday cake. No-one knows why.
The Youth Arts Festival in Kingston-upon-Thames runs from 7 to 16 July. Now in its ninth year, it's the UK’s biggest multi-arts festival for performers aged under 27. They've sent this picture of their celebrations.
In a £50,000 initiative, the Festival Fringe Society is giving away travel passes and box office vouchers for shows at the Fringe via local charities. The Fringe Society will also commandeer a bus which will drive around the city to give away passes.
Camden Fringe
Camden Fringe held its launch party on 10 July, the day before World Fringe Day, and this is in itself a celebration of World Fringe Day, at least that's what they claim on Twitter:
Morecombe in Lancashire is launching a new Fringe Festival in September this year, making it the world's newest Fringe Festival. The team behind the Morecombe Fringe will be announcing their new programme on 11 July to coincide with World Fringe Day.
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