Arts & International Affairs: Volume 2, Number 2 | Page 118

Moreover, unpaid labour, often female, also contributes to families and communities that participate in the festivals in Edinburgh. The common purpose to invest in arts and culture—those creations created by the many and accessible to whichever national or class background—has long been foundational to the international labour movement. The most recent edition of the Chambers Dictionary defines empathy as “the power of entering into the feeling or spirit of something (esp. a work of art) and so appreciating it fully.” Fully appreciating all that surrounds us means looking beyond first impressions, being open to all the contributions, and valuing strengths that have brought so many people together. Edinburgh is a crowded, expensive, impatient city in August. Yet the festivals create so many spaces to imagine and build on experiences and feelings. It is always a powerful time. Reference Singh, J.P. (����) Editorial: Performing Culture. Arts and International Affairs � (�) � 117