Negotiating privileged networks and exclusive mobilities: the case for a Deaf festival in Scotland’s festival city

Abstract

ABSTRACT We explore the case for a Deaf festival in Edinburgh, the self-proclaimed ‘world leading Festival City’. The formal recognition of British Sign Language in the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015 is paramount to the cultural and political context. Joining English and Gaelic in Scotland’s linguistic landscape, BSL legally summons cultural representation in public life. We approach the study through two distinct methodologies. Firstly, we adopt a discourse analysis of the festival policy that constructs Edinburgh’s festival networks and prioritizes distinct mobilities. Secondly, we draw upon a participative debate the authors organized as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019. The paper contributes to the critical examination of festivals as sites of diversity and inclusivity, both at the point of production and consumption. In doing so, we suggest that greater representation of Deaf and disabled communities in festival networks is a pre-requisite to festivals as inclusive public spaces.