Article Source: Edinburgh International Book Festival
Last Updated: 26 August 2019 15:26
With a debut Palestinian author topping the best-selling books list, and with eight of the top ten best-selling books having been written by women, the Edinburgh International Book Festival’s most diverse public programme comes to a close today after 17 days of extraordinary debate, discussion and public engagement with authors and audiences from around the world and across the political and cultural spectrum. Writers including Arundhati Roy, Elif Shafak, Malorie Blackman, Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell, Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson, Australian authors Tim Winton and Thomas Keneally and former Irish President Mary Robinson joined others from 65 countries to address the overarching theme of We Need New Stories in events for adults and children with discussions ranging from climate change, the fashion industry, racism, homelessness and Brexit to classical music, indigenous languages and food. The Sea Cloak, the debut short story collection from Palestinian writer, Nayrouz Qarmout, who returned to Edinburgh this year for her second ever trip out of Gaza, was the bestselling book.
Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “Numbers simply don’t do justice to the overwhelmingly positive feedback we’re getting from audiences this year. The theme, We Need New Stories, struck a resonant chord: our theatres and our cafes and bookshop have been alive with discussion about climate crisis, populist politics and the demise of the American Dream. At the same time we’ve enjoyed music, performance and laughter as well as impassioned conversations. What’s clear is that people are thirsty for public, face-to-face encounters with experts and visionaries – new voices, with new stories, from new places. The Book Festival is unquestionably answering a deep public need for grassroots democratic discussion.”
Nine authors long-listed for the 2019 Booker Prize enthralled audiences at the Festival, as did Jokha Alharti – the winner of the 2019 Man Booker International Prize. The winners of the University of Edinburgh’s James Tait Black prizes were announced in Charlotte Square Gardens. Salman Rushdie, Lemn Sissay, Ann Cleeves and comedian James Acaster all launched brand new books. Scotland International rugby player Doddie Weir discussed his career and MND in an emotional event ending with a standing ovation. Ruth Davidson shared her story with Olympian Katherine Grainger, activist Gina Martin and former BBC China Editor Carrie Gracie talked about their campaigns for equality and Sofie Hagen spoke out against Fat Shaming.
Families and children have enjoyed over 200 events across the Baillie Gifford Children’s programme including exuberant appearances from Francesca Simon, Horrible Histories illustrator Martin Brown, Harry Hill, Patrice Lawrence and Laura Bates. The new Baillie Gifford children’s area was a huge success and also enjoyed visits from the Gruffalo, the Very Hungry Caterpillar and Elmer the Patchwork Elephant. The Baillie Gifford Schools programme has welcomed 11,742 pupils and teachers from across Scotland and closes tomorrow with over 2,800 primary school pupils enjoying a special Space themed Schools Gala Day.
Festival Organisers said that changes this year, which included an expanded bookshop in Charlotte Square Gardens and improvements to the inclusivity and accessibility of the site, had been well received. The Festival offered more BSL interpreted and screen captioned events than ever before and dedicated staff to assist visitors with access needs. A number of events were designated Pay What You Can. Funded with the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery and House of Hearing these changes resulted in the Book Festival being awarded the Euan’s Guide Award for Most Accessible Pop-up Venue for the fourth consecutive year.
The Book Festival enjoyed a footfall in Charlotte Square Gardens of around 265,000 and the two expanded Festival bookshops on George Street and in Charlotte Square Gardens have contributed to an overall increase in booksales of around 5% with two days to go. Overall ticket sales have increased by 3%.
The winner of the Festival’s First Book Award, which is voted for by audiences and readers, will be announced in October. The Book Festival’s Citizen programme will continue over the winter months in collaboration with North Edinburgh Arts and Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh with events being announced later in the autumn. The Edinburgh International Book Festival will return from Saturday 15 to Monday 31 August 2020 and the programme will be announced in June.
A spectacular multimedia show celebrating Vincent van Gogh's life and stunning artworks is coming to Glasgow this summer!
READ MORENational Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories.
READ MORETouring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!
READ MOREAldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!
READ MOREEdinburgh’s Fingal has sailed to the top of the world’s best hotels list in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards 2024.
READ MOREEdinburgh – Global apparel retailer UNIQLO, will welcome its first Scottish customers through the doors of its Edinburgh store on Thursday, 25th April.
READ MOREDavid Ian for Crossroads Live in association with Barry and Fran Weissler are delighted to announce further dates for the 2024/2025 UK and Ireland tour with dates at Edinburgh Playhouse in 2025.
READ MOREPaisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MOREA NEW four-legged champion has been crowned for the Corgi Derby at The Sky Bet Sunday Series Raceday, Musselburgh Racecourse.
READ MOREWith a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.
READ MOREEdinburgh’s top street food hang-out and leading comedy producers Gilded Balloon have today announced a brand new partnership, bringing the city’s funniest night out to Edinburgh Street Food.
READ MOREEdinburgh Science Festival drew its 35th anniversary edition to a close last weekend and now announces its new Director, Hassun El-Zafar, and dates for the 2025 Festival.
READ MOREThere’s just one week to go before the Pomegranates Festival of International Traditional Dance (25-30 April) kicks off at the Scottish Storytelling Centre and various venues across Edinburgh.
READ MORENow in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MOREThe popular Edinburgh Seafood Festival returns to St James Quarter, with even more opportunities to get a taste of the finest Scottish fare!
READ MORECineworld Edinburgh celebrates the acclaimed British director Danny Boyle from May 7th to May 28th with a limited time big screen re-release of four of his classic titles at only £5 per ticket!
READ MOREJohnnie Walker Princes Street is inviting guests to find their flow and embark on a journey of tranquility and connectivity with its latest offering, Sunrise Yoga on 3rd May!
READ MORERed Carnation Hotels, the family-owned hotel collection, proudly announces the opening of its latest masterpiece and first property in Scotland, 100 Princes Street.
READ MOREThe Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo has been named the best zoo to visit in Scotland by TripAdvisor, the world’s biggest travel guidance platform.
READ MOREAmbassador Theatre Group (“ATG”), a leading live entertainment organisation, and owner of the Edinburgh Playhouse, today announced that it is rebranding as ATG Entertainment.
READ MORELatest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MORERUSK & RUSK, the independent Scottish restaurant group, today shares first look impressions of The Spanish Butcher, Edinburgh, and confirms it will officially open on Friday 10th May.
READ MORESip & Bark is opening its doors today on Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, with a delicious brunch offering, a selection of cocktails and fine wines, plus it’s dog friendly!
READ MOREThe annual Open Weekend returns to Port Edgar, the largest watersports and activity centre in Scotland, for a special 10th-anniversary event on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May!
READ MOREBroadway and West End phenomenon Kinky Boots The Musical, is strutting into Edinburgh in a brand-new production starring Strictly's Johannes Radebe and rising star Dan Partridge!
READ MORELaser Station will be hosting an exciting fundraising event from April 22nd to April 28th, aimed at raising funds to support Cash For Kids initiatives.
READ MORELloyds Banking Group is hosting a free event on Saturday 13th April in Edinburgh for young people wanting to explore the wide range of careers options available in the banking industry.
READ MOREVolunteers at the Newtongrange Community Garden were delighted to welcome a special visitor on Tuesday 2nd April - Owen Thompson MP.
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MOREGlobal apparel retailer UNIQLO will open its doors to Edinburgh’s highly anticipated store on 25 April 2024, with the arrival marks the regeneration of the shopping scene in Scotland’s capital.
READ MORE