[1] It was initially organised by the Scottish Socialist Party, trade unions and local artists.
[2] It carries on the tradition of the original Edinburgh People's Festival 1951–54 and acknowledges the cultural contribution made by Hamish Henderson, Ewan MacColl, Joan Littlewood, Norman Buchan and Joe Corrie.
Since 2002 the People's Festival has presented shows in Saughton Prison,[3] Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary, the Scottish Parliament, The Stand Comedy Club, Woodburn Miners Welfare, the BMC Club in Gorgie, Artspace in Craigmillar and the North Edinburgh Arts Centre as well as community centres in the North, South, East and West of the city.
The People's Festival's award-winning exhibition was constructed by the inmates of Saughton Prison, tells the story of the organisation from its origins in 1951 to the present day and was the centrepiece of last year's Radical Book Fair.[when?]
The 2009 August programme included the Hamish Henderson Memorial lecture, the launch of a book, What Robert Burns means to me to celebrate the poet's 250th anniversary, a walking tour of 'Radical Edinburgh', a concert Songs of the People, and a tour of Rebus's Edinburgh endorsed by Ian Rankin.