The Edinburgh International Festival will return for its 73rd year this August, bringing some of the best in theater, music and dance from across the world to Scotland's capital. The festival launched its 2019 program featuring some of the best Chinese artists and ensembles.

The renowned Chinese choreographer Yang Liping is among the highlights at the Edinburgh International Festival this year. She will make her debut at the festival with her new interpretation of Stravinsky's iconic ballet "Rite of Spring".

FERGUS LINEHAN FESTIVAL DIRECTOR, EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL "One of the things International Festivals has the capacity to do is play host to very senior artists. That means they may be very familiar, people like Gustavo Dudamel from Los Angeles Philharmonic or Simon Rattle from London Symphony Orchestra, but also people who don't know like Yang Liping from China who is a major artist from her country with her new production of 'Rite of Spring'."

As the Festival approaches its 75th anniversary in 2022, the organizer said it aims to turn it into a truly global event, by promising a greater representation of the world beyond Europe and the English-speaking countries. This year's programme comes with 293 performances across 17 venues, attracting 2600 artists from 40 nations.

FRANCESCA HEGYI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL "For me, the Edinburgh International Festival is that moment every year when Edinburgh becomes the world stage, it the only place to be at that time of the year. This year is everybody from Mali to Australia to Canada to Nigeria. We are excited about everybody is coming this year."

With artists and audiences from all over the world gathering to celebrate each other's music, theatre, dance and art, the organizer hope that the Festival will offer a refreshing dose of inclusiveness and optimism.