A disturbing incident has cast a shadow over the otherwise vibrant Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as performer Eddie Jen bravely recounted a traumatic assault where he was verbally harassed and physically attacked by a group of youths.
The ordeal began when Jen, who uses he/she pronouns, was flyering for his show, only to be confronted by a group of male youths who aggressively questioned his gender identity, repeatedly asking, “Are you a ?” and “Are you a boy or a girl?”
Despite his efforts to remain polite and de-escalate the situation by returning to his post, the harassment escalated into a violent assault. The youths reportedly struck him on the head, forcibly tore off his bow, and maliciously poured their drinks over him.
The swiftness and unprovoked nature of the attack were jarring, leaving Jen shaken but remarkably resilient. He emphasized that despite the traumatic event, he is determined not to let the incident detract from his overall experience at the festival.
In the aftermath of the assault, the kindness of strangers shone through, as Jen received assistance from a compassionate individual, highlighting the duality of experiences one can encounter even in a bustling city.
This year marks Jen’s return to the Edinburgh Fringe, having previously attended to assess the festival’s atmosphere and found himself deeply enamored with the city’s unique charm and magical allure, making the recent incident all the more disheartening against a backdrop of positive memories.
A video detailing the assault, shared by Jen, has since gone viral, garnering over 200,000 views and triggering a significant outpouring of support from people across various platforms, underscoring the collective condemnation of such acts.
The performer’s account, initially captioned “I was attacked in Edinburgh Fringe 2025. It’s my first solo show,” serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by individuals within the public eye, particularly those from marginalized communities, as they navigate both artistic pursuits and personal safety.
