Jonathan Mills has been renewed as director of the Edinburgh Festival until 2014.
Mills has been in charge since 2006 without giving much impression that he was. In charge.
A festival that was once central to the arts calendar has become peripheral, outshouted by its own fringe and off limits for world leaders in high performance.
Not all of this is Mills’ fault. Budgets have been miserly and political interest low.
Still, a younger, sharper contender might have kicked some life into the old girl of the north. The prospect of having Mills in command until mid-decade will thrill no-one outside his immediate family.

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Janey on Renee Fleming thinks the US needs a woman president. Like Mrs Merkel.
Thank you. Incidentally, I've just heard Ms. Fleming's new CD, which contains new Dutilleux, plus Massiaen and Ravel. ...Nutters on Breaking: the next BBC chief is … a Finn
Please not Jukka-Pekka Saraste....RichardB on Breaking: the next BBC chief is … a Finn
Finnish musicians are some of the most open-minded, intelligent and adventurous in the world, with a thirst for contemporary music,...Doug on Just up: Award winning pianist plays airport terminal after 20-hour flight
Just don't ask the airport manager to re-voice the instrument and shellac the hammers.Norman Lebrecht on Just up: Award winning pianist plays airport terminal after 20-hour flight
oops! quite right, tks.Jeffrey Biegel on Just up: Award winning pianist plays airport terminal after 20-hour flight
Yea, Ingrid! We pianists tend to do things like this--what fun!!Petros Linardos on Just up: Award winning pianist plays airport terminal after 20-hour flight
Wonderfully playing. Norman, are you sure Fliter won a Grawemeyer? I know of the 2006 Gilmore Award.Sixtus on Just up: Award winning pianist plays airport terminal after 20-hour flight
Security! Security! Out-of-tune piano at domestic arrivals!Mr Smith on Sex-bullying school seeks soft publicity
Dear Norman , I have been reading this blog with some what dismay ??? It seems that part of the truth...Sixtus on Breaking: the next BBC chief is … a Finn
"Including two possible women," eh? I should think the genders of the possible candidates would be a bit more definite...