Edinburgh goes cultural and fireworks ..BY: By Andrew Hafiz Ritchie.

(From New Straits Times (Malaysia))

FROM the end of July and spinning on into the beginning of September, Scotland's capital kicks off its slightly dour facade and is transformed into the world's centre of culture.

Described as a sizzling three weeks of the very best opera, theatre, music and dance, the main event, the Edinburgh International Festival, was the brainchild of Austrian conductor Rudolf Bing, then general manager of the Glyndebourne Opera.

After World War II, it was felt that a battered and fragmented Europe would benefit from some celebration of common heritage.

An international arts festival was mooted and Edinburgh, with its …