Festival Ignites Debate Amid Boycott | Glasgow News

Despite a boycott by pro-Palestine activists over its sponsorship by Baillie Gifford — an investment firm tied to Israeli-linked companies — the Edinburgh International Festival is smashing ticket sales, with many shows already sold out. Festival director Nicola Benedetti stands firm on the partnership, calling it vital for arts funding and education, while condemning recent vandalism as a violation. Activists label the money “blood money,” linking it to genocide, but organizers argue targeting cultural institutions isn’t the right path to address Gaza’s crisis. The festival’s acclaimed lineup — featuring Wynton Marsalis and the LA Philharmonic — continues to draw massive crowds, proving strong public support. With dialogue ongoing for two years, organizers say the boycott hasn’t dented attendance or artist participation, and they’re confident the event will deliver a record-breaking run. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/c171d275be2ca329