Edinburgh International Book Festival Launches Citizen
The Edinburgh International Book Festival launches Citizen, the next phase of its year-round programme taking the Book Festival On The Road.
Article Source: Edinburgh International Book Festival
Last Updated: 4 December 2018 10:45
The Edinburgh International Book Festival today announced the next phase of its year-round programme taking the Book Festival On The Road. Following on from the Festival’s extremely successful ReimagiNation series across Scotland’s five New Towns, Citizen is a new long-term creative programme working in partnership with organisations across Edinburgh, listening to people’s views about the communities in which they live. Led by Scottish-based writers-in-residence, Citizen aims to give a voice to communities, offering residents an opportunity to explore their connection to each other and their relationship to their local area, looking at how local conversations are heard or echoed on a national or global level.
Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said “I feel passionately that book festivals are not just about books: they are much-needed forums for public discourse. If we are going to sustain a genuinely inclusive forum for grassroots democratic discussion in Edinburgh, we must reach out more effectively to give everyone the chance to take part. That’s why it’s so exciting to be able to work with community groups that haven’t traditionally been so well represented in the audiences at the August festival. We’re also honoured that authors Claire Askew and Eleanor Thom have agreed to join us in creating long-term community partnerships: I can’t wait to see what kind of events and stories will develop out of the Citizen project.”
After an open recruitment process, Claire Askew has been appointed as the Citizen Schools Writer-in-Residence and will be working with three secondary schools including Liberton High School and Craigroyston Community High School. Claire is a poet and novelist and her debut novel All the Hidden Truths featured in the Book Festival programme this year. Eleanor Thom has been appointed as the Citizen Community Writer-in-Residence and will be working through North Edinburgh Arts with groups living and working in the North of the city as well as in partnership with WHALE Arts Agency (Wester Hailes) and Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre (Moredun). Eleanor, a novelist (The Tin-Kin) and short form fiction writer, will be meeting regularly with local people from a variety of backgrounds and of all ages to hold creative conversations about what being a citizen today means. The writers-in-residence will work with a host of fellow writers, musicians, illustrators and other artists to inspire community members and school pupils to tell their stories of life in their areas, and share their views on community, home and their relationship to the wider world.
Claire Askew commented, "I am absolutely thrilled to have been invited to work on the Citizen project, joining the Edinburgh International Book Festival in their ongoing, inspiring work to reach communities across Scotland. The importance of projects that 'twin' educational settings with cultural ones cannot be underestimated: I am excited to work with young people from around Edinburgh to find out how they look at reading, writing and arts events. I'm excited to support them as they take ownership of these things and look at ways to bring their creative expression to a wider audience. I'm looking forward to working in communities where engagement with books and creative writing can be boosted by empowering their young people to spread the word about their own creations and discoveries."
In collaboration with North Edinburgh Arts, local residents will be invited to join a group of Community Programmers who will work closely with Eleanor Thom and the Book Festival. The group will create events showcasing the conversations to community audiences, and curate a special strand of Citizen events at the 2019 Edinburgh International Book Festival, ensuring the voices and concerns of people across the city are heard on the Festival’s international stage.
Eleanor Thom said “The most powerful stories are likely happening beyond the geography of the festival and exploring these narratives can transform how we all see our city, ourselves, and others. That’s why Citizen is important. I’ll be asking what kinds of stories people want to hear, as well as listening to the stories people want to tell. I’m motivated by my belief that sharing stories can effect change, and I’m excited to be part of making the festival more representative.”
The same group will work to create a mini Book Festival to be held in North Edinburgh Arts in May 2020, which responds to the ideas developed across the previous eighteen months of the programme. Citizen will continue until August 2021 and will draw in communities in and around Musselburgh with the support of the Brunton Theatre. The Book Festival will share regular updates from these community conversations on social media and at ontheroad.edbookfest.co.uk, enabling more people from the city and beyond to get involved in the discussions.
Kate Wimpress, Director of North Edinburgh Arts said: “We're delighted to be part of this exciting new project bringing artists and communities together. We are sure Eleanor, as North Edinburgh Arts writer in residence, will spark many interesting conversations and inspire creativity among all the users of our venue and beyond. NEA aims to be a place where we can make connections, share ideas, learn together and take creative risks, and this project will contribute directly to those aims, and offer new perspectives for the future.”
Citizen is part of Edinburgh International Book Festival On The Road, a series of events and activities around Scotland throughout the year, and is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and through the PLACE Programme (funded by the Scottish Government, City of Edinburgh Council, and the Edinburgh Festivals, and supported and administered by Creative Scotland).
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "Citizen is a fantastic opportunity to reach communities across Scotland and give them a chance to explore the relationship with the place they live in, building links and connecting ‘local’ with ‘global’. Working in partnership with organisations across Edinburgh and beyond, this programme is sure to stimulate debate and intrigue audiences, raising Scotland's cultural profile on the international stage.
"The Edinburgh International Book Festival has long been a highlight in the Edinburgh Festivals’ calendar, bringing together the world's finest authors and the best of Scotland’s creative talent. In the last 10 years the Scottish government has provided more than £1.1 million to the Book Festival through our Expo Fund, and I am now pleased that we are able to provide further support through our recently launched PLACE fund, which will provide an additional £15 million to enhance of all Edinburgh’s Festivals over the next five years.”
Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “For centuries Edinburgh has exported stories to the world, leading to its designation as the first ever UNESCO City of Literature. Since the Book Festival launched 35 years ago, the city has welcomed some of the greatest minds and most interesting writers on the planet to exchange ideas and share their stories with us!
“In turn, this programme represents a unique connection between the city and the world of literature. It will engage communities and groups from all over Edinburgh with the aim of giving local citizens a national and international voice. I’m delighted that through our PLACE programme partnership, the Council is helping the Book Festival celebrate and share the stories of our own people in this creative way.”
Edinburgh International Book Festival has received over £1 million from players of People’s Postcode Lottery since the partnership started in 2014. Spokesperson Hazel Johnstone from the charities team said: “It’s great that people from all walks of life will be able to come together in a creative environment and tell their stories about the communities where they live. It’ll be really interesting to see what transpires from the Citizen project and I look forward to hearing about it in the coming months.”
The 2019 Edinburgh International Book Festival runs from Saturday 10 to Monday 26 August 2019 and the full programme will be announced in June. Further information about the Book Festival, and the Citizen programme, can be found at www.edbookfest.co.uk/
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
Aberg, Fleetwood and Hovland set to star in Genesis Scottish Open
European Ryder Cup stars Ludvig Åberg, Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland are set to reunite at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open.
READ MORE
Six Company announce further investment into Edinburgh restaurant scene
Six Company announces additional investment in the Edinburgh hospitality industry with the opening of Six by Nico Edinburgh West End and Somewhere by Nico Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Uber Releases Limited Edition Swiftie Inspired Friendship Bracelets
Uber releases Swiftie-inspired friendship bracelets, offering £20 credit ahead of the Era's Tour this June.
READ MORE
Fayre Play announces phenomenal ticket giveaway for Taylor Swift Eras Tour
Fayre Play, the ultimate adult funfair games experience in Glasgow & Edinburgh, have announced an exclusive ticket giveaway for Taylor Swift's highly anticipated show at Murrayfield on June 8th!
READ MORE
PURE Spa & Beauty partners with O2Worx to launch Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Edinburgh
PURE Spa & Beauty is proud to announce its partnership with 02Worx by launching Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in 16 of its spa locations across the United Kingdom including three in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals Returns to the Edinburgh Playhouse May 2024
For the first time, audiences will be treated to a dazzling dozen amazing pro dancers from BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing, performing this spectacular show at Edinburgh Playhouse!
READ MORE
National Chef Gary Maclean hosts Oyster and Champagne Bar for Edinburgh Seafood Festival
Scotland’s National Chef Gary Maclean is hosting an exclusive Oyster and Champagne Bar as part of the Edinburgh Seafood Festival on Saturday May 4th and Sunday May 5th at Bonnie & Wild.
READ MORE
Edinburgh to host UK premiere of blockbuster floral show for second consecutive year
Fleurs de Villes, the world-renowned floral show has announced it will return to Edinburgh next month with its major new exhibition; ARTISTE.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest kicks off this Friday
A packed programme of music, film and storytelling kicks off Edinburgh Tradfest this weekend (3 May to 13 May).
READ MORE
Make Time for a Cuppa to help support families with dementia
Dementia specialist nursing charity, Dementia UK, is running its 14th annual 'Time for a Cuppa Fundraiser' to raise vital funds for the leading cause of death in the UK.
READ MORE
Discover the magic of trees with Dobbies
Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting children aged four to 10 to a free workshop in May to learn more about trees and how to protect them.
READ MORE
Sign up for 2 free tickets to the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
It's just days until the opening of the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, which is back SEC, Glasgow on 11-12 May 2024.
READ MORE
More than 14,100 Kiltwalk heroes step up to achieve record breaking Glasgow event
Glasgow to Loch Lomond was a sea of tartan today as the world's biggest ever Kiltwalk took place, with fundraising already exceeding £2.5m.
READ MORE
RUSK & RUSK shares the Spanish Butcher menu ahead of opening in two weeks
RUSK & RUSK, the independent Scottish restaurant group, today shares details of the menu set to ignite tastebuds for The Spanish Butcher which officially opens in Edinburgh on Friday 10th May.
READ MORE
Johnnie Walker Princes Street seeks new talent to join award winning team
Johnnie Walker Princes Street, the award-winning global visitor experience in the heart of Edinburgh, has announced exciting opportunities for passionate individuals to join its renowned team.
READ MORE
All Aboard for Unmissable Tales of Adventure at the Port Edgar Open Weekend
THREE captivating and inspiring stories of adventure, near-death experiences and endurance are set to thrill the crowds at Port Edgar Marina’s 10th anniversary Open Weekend on 4th and 5th May!
READ MORE
Van Gogh experience announces Scottish premiere dates
A spectacular multimedia show celebrating Vincent van Gogh's life and stunning artworks is coming to Glasgow this summer!
READ MORE
A Big Map for the Big Yin! Interactive map launched to celebrate Billy Connolly
National 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 MORE
Cast announced for Scottish tour of Hen Night Horror
Touring 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 MORE
The Best Home Bar competition from Aldi Scotland returns for 2024
Aldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!
READ MORE
Fingal sails to top of world best luxury hotels list
Edinburgh’s Fingal has sailed to the top of the world’s best hotels list in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards 2024.
READ MORE
UNIQLO will officially open the doors to its Princes Street store tomorrow
Edinburgh – Global apparel retailer UNIQLO, will welcome its first Scottish customers through the doors of its Edinburgh store on Thursday, 25th April.
READ MORE
CHICAGO Announced for the Edinburgh Playhouse
David 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 MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns for a delicious double helping
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MORE
Racegoers go corgi crazy at Musselburgh Racecourse
A NEW four-legged champion has been crowned for the Corgi Derby at The Sky Bet Sunday Series Raceday, Musselburgh Racecourse.
READ MORE
Nationwide campaign encourages adults in Scotland to take the plunge
With 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 MORE
Gilded Balloon and Edinburgh Street Food announce new, dog friendly comedy night
Edinburgh’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 MORE
The one that started it all: Edinburgh Science Festival announces its new Director
Edinburgh 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 MORE
Pomegranates Festival kicks off next week
There’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 MORE
Top tips for visiting the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
Now 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 MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links