Belonging Without Borders

17–23 August 2026

Experience AIF2026: Arran International Festival Returns This August

The stunning Isle of Arran is set to host the third annual Arran International Festival (AIF2026) this August. Combining world-class international talent with exceptional local artists, the festival promises a vibrant line-up of concerts, storytelling, and brand-new musical works, all set against the island’s breathtaking natural backdrop.

A Vision of Connection: “Belonging Without Borders”

Festival Artistic Director Richard Morrison has announced that the guiding theme for this year’s event is Belonging Without Borders.

The festival aims to create a unique cultural melting pot on the island. Visiting musicians from across Europe and beyond will bring their own heritage, languages, and traditions to collaborate directly with the local Arran community.

According to Richard Morrison, AIF2026 is an event “rooted in community, outward-looking in spirit,” where people from all backgrounds can expect a warm island welcome, sparking new inspiration and lasting friendships.

Inside the 2026 Programme: Ambition and Community

Returning as Composer-in-Residence, Electra Perivolaris teases that 2026 will be the festival’s most ambitious year yet, highlighted by major community collaborations and world-class premieres.

Major Community Music Project

• The Collaboration: Local school children and diverse communities from across the island are joining forces with visiting artists.
• The Goal: Together, they are composing a brand-new piece of music from scratch.
• The Finale: The project will culminate in a massive, collaborative pre-concert performance featuring young people, local musicians, and international guests.

A World Premiere Collaboration

Inspired by Song and Dance

The highlight of the evening will be the world premiere of a new work composed by Electra Perivolaris. Written specifically for Filipczak, the piece beautifully encapsulates the festival’s theme by blending Scottish, Greek, and Polish folk music traditions – drawing directly on Perivolaris’s own Scottish-Greek background and Filipczak’s Polish heritage.

Concert Details & Repertoire

• Venue: The Dougarie Boathouse
• Time: Tuesday, 18th August 2026, 7.30pm
• Tickets: £20 (Under 18s are FREE)

Featured Works:

• Benjamin Britten — Waltz from Suite, Op. 6
• Franz Schubert — Fantasia in C major for violin and piano, D. 934
• Karol Szymanowski — Peasant Dance from the ballet Harnasie (arr. P. Kochański)
• Henryk Wieniawski — Fantasia on Themes from Gounod’s Faust, Op. 20
• Electra Perivolaris — New Work (World Premiere)

Meet the Artists

Magdalena Filipczak (Violin): Boasting an international reputation for exceptional range and musical intelligence, Filipczak has performed at major global venues like Wigmore Hall and the Concertgebouw. A multi-award winner (including First Prize at the US International Concerto Competition), her debut album Essence of Violin was praised by The Strad as “glittering” and “hauntingly atmospheric.” She performs on a historic instrument supported by Beare’s International Violin Society.

Agnieszka Kozło (Piano): A graduate of the Fryderyk Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, Kozło is an accomplished chamber musician celebrated for her deep musical partnerships and performances alongside leading instrumentalists across Europe.

Electra Perivolaris (Composer): Hailed as “A Classical Star of the Future” by BBC Introducing, Perivolaris has served as AIF’s Composer-in-Residence since its inception. Her music focuses on the relationship between people, landscape, and community. She has previously received commissions from the BBC Singers, London Symphony Orchestra, and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

Plan Your Visit

AIF2026 offers an inspiring series of island-wide events celebrating the connective power of music. Whether you are a local resident or travelling from afar, the festival invites everyone to join the celebration on Arran this August.

For more information click HERE

Get your tickets HERE