Independent Arts Projects were thrilled to be one of the organisers of the Welcome to the Fringe, Palestine mini-festival that took place at Portobello Town Hall from 12-15 August.

This October, it was announced that Welcome to the Fringe, Palestine is a finalist in the Festivals category of the Creative Edinburgh Awards. We’ll find out about the outcome on Friday 14 November.

The festival felt like a very special thing with donations from over 450 individuals and companies funding the project and more than 70 volunteers coming together to make it happen. We issued over 1600 tickets for the Welcome to the Fringe events.

Here’s a short taster film of the festival filmed and edited by the wonderful Sandy Butler.

You can see the full programme and a full list of all the contributors who made the festival happen at FringePalestine.com.

Amir Sabra’s Dabke Workshop supported by Imaginate and The Work Room
Diline Abushaban’s Gaza Food and Stories
Some of the Artists & Organisers from WTTF (left to right): Amal Kaawash, Sara Shaarawi, Misan Miso Samara, Amir Sabra, Dareen Tatour, Fadi Murad, Bruno Cruz, Anaghim Abbas, Nur Garabli, Mhari Robinson, Mohammed Moussa.
Sara Shaarawi introducing a performance at the festival
Ann Bryce (volunteer) and audience settling at Portobello Town Hall.
Audience Access Guide & resources produced by volunteers: Nelly Kelly, Star Gaze & Biff Nicolson. A team of volunteers staffed the Access Desk throughout the festival.
Audience queue for tickets & merchandise.
Some of the volunteers (and IAP staff): Fiona Sturgeon Shea, Magdalena Schamberger, Nina Doherty, Lucy Bartlett, Mhari Robinson
Flyer design by Conor O’Toole
IAP staff: Nina Doherty & Chloe Lyth
The auditorium full of staff and audience.
Volunteers Tickle McNicholl & Nelly Kelly.

Photography: Mihaela Bodlovic