A year of Transition and Experimentation as Edinburgh International Book Festival draws to a close
Organisers expressed their gratitude to authors, audiences & staff for having the courage to travel with them into unknown territory as Edinburgh International Book Festival closed last night.
Article Source: Edinburgh International Book Festival
Last Updated: 31 August 2021 11:39
“A YEAR OF TRANSITION AND EXPERIMENTATION”
2021 EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL DRAWS TO A CLOSE
As the 2021 Edinburgh International Book Festival came to a close last night, organisers expressed their gratitude to authors, audiences and staff for having the courage to travel with them into unknown territory. The Book Festival’s new home at the University of Edinburgh’s Edinburgh College of Art was deemed to be a success, with a footfall of over 25,000 over the 17 days, including those who watched events streamed live onto the Big Screen in the Festival Courtyard. The Festival, which opened with an online performance from children’s author Julia Donaldson, concluded last night with Douglas Stuart in conversation with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon live, in person and in front of an audience in the New York Times Sculpture Court for his first appearance in Scotland since Shuggie Bain won the 2020 Booker Prize.
The Book Festival staged over 250 events with 300 authors this year in three studio theatre spaces. Events included exclusive book launches from Denise Mina, Pat Barker, Val McDermid and Ian Rankin all of whom appeared in person on stage in Edinburgh College of Art in front of a live, sell out socially distanced audience. Other In Real Life appearances included Devi Sridhar, Gordon Brown, Maggie O’Farrell and Joan Bakewell while Ali Smith, Salman Rushdie, Richard Flanagan, Marilynne Robinson and Cressida Cowell joined via zoom. All events were broadcast live through the Book Festival website and have already been viewed across 83 countries. Over 56,000 online and in person tickets were sold, a number which is increasing daily as audiences catch up by watching ‘on demand’.
Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “This year was a year of transition and experimentation. I am extraordinarily proud of the team that has conceived, programmed and delivered a festival under the restrictions and uncertainty that we experienced right up until the beginning of August. We were at the very forefront of live events coming back, and there was understandably a nervousness amongst many of our regular audience in coming together in the same space. As the Festival went on we saw visitors, and confidence, growing. The world is a very different place from when we all came together in 2019, however our new home in the Edinburgh College of Art, the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership with the University of Edinburgh, has allowed us to ease gently back into our Festival, and we are now in a good place to grow and build upon what we have learned. It is a time to look forward, not backwards, to consolidate and to celebrate not only what we have all achieved in this of all years, but also to take what we have learned and apply it to future Festivals.
“2021 was about bringing people back together in a safe space, building confidence amongst authors and audiences and reaching a new audience through broadcasting our events online. Feedback from visitors both here in Edinburgh and those watching from home has been positive and generous. We are already seeing our events garnering new audiences who are watching ‘on demand’ and we expect those numbers to grow significantly over the coming weeks.
“We are reimagining the Book Festival in this new climate. It will take time – the world has changed, and we need to adapt and learn from our experience this year, however we are already making plans for 2022 and from the public response to the digital programme we will definitely include an online offering as well as the live, in person experience here in Edinburgh.”
The 2021 Book Festival included the Baillie Gifford Children’s and Schools Programme – from daily Draw-Alongs on Facebook with children’s illustrators to books on sharks, pirates, building dens and climate change. There were lively conversations with authors including Cressida Cowell, Juno Dawson, Neil Gaiman, Michael Morpurgo and Malorie Blackman, poetry with Michael Rosen and Joshua Segal and Outdoor interactive Dance-Along sessions with Oti Mabuse and Sprog Rock. The Baillie Gifford Schools Programme has streamed events to Schools across Scotland and concludes with a virtual Gala Day today (31 August) with eight live events for primary school pupils.
Participants in the Book Festival’s Citizen project, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery through the Postcode Culture Trust and through the PLACE Programme, enjoyed a community meal provided by Scran Academy which was followed by a showcase of readings, stories and short films. Irvine Welsh, Sara Sheridan and Ian Rankin were amongst the contributors reading from the new edition of One City and the Festival launched a new, self-guided walking tour, encouraging visitors to explore the history of Tollcross with members of the community living near the Festival’s new home in Edinburgh College of Art. Authors have delivered readings and workshops to Prison groups in HMP Edinburgh, HMP Kilmarnock and HMP Perth.
Almost all the events in the 2021 Edinburgh International Book Festival programme can be viewed online ‘on demand’ through the Book Festival website – edbookfest.co.uk.
Image: Val McDermid, Doug Johnstone, Marisa Haetzman & Chris Brookmyre (aka Ambrose Parry) and Mary Paulson Ellis in conversation with Peggy Hughes at the 2021 Edinburgh International Book Festival
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
A Burns Night under the stars: Dynamic Earth reimagines the traditional supper
This Burns Night, Dynamic Earth invites you to step into the stars for an evening where tradition meets the galaxy!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Book Festival opens submissions for Global Ink 2026
Submissions for Global Ink 2026, Edinburgh International Book Festival's flagship international forum for Festival Directors, are now open.
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble spotlights future string stars with Musical Encounters
Scottish Ensemble begins an exciting 2026 with the return of their Young Artist programme, helping to develop the next generation of Scotland's young string players.
READ MORE
Celebrate love with your PAWfect Valentine at Dobbies Garden Centres
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting pet parents to celebrate Valentine's Day with their beloved furry friends in selected stores across the country!
READ MORE
Enlightenment an immersive experience set to transform McEwan Hall in Edinburgh
Swiss art collective PROJEKTIL will bring its vivid light and sound show to Edinburgh from 31st January, following acclaimed runs in Glasgow, Liverpool and Leeds!
READ MORE
Primary schools in Scotland given chance to win specifically curated Burns Supper from Aldi
Aldi Scotland is giving primary school pupils across Scotland the chance to enjoy a truly traditional Burns Supper, complete with all the trimmings, including a bagpiper.
READ MORE
Glasgow International Comedy Festival launches 2026 programme with over 100,000 tickets on sale
Glasgow International Comedy Festival has announced the full programme for 2026's event with 560 shows in 40 venues across the city from 11th - 29th March, and over 100,000 tickets now on sale!
READ MORE
Top Scottish chef to host floating Captains Table experience onboard luxury Edinburgh hotel
One of Scotland's leading chefs will be hosting a collaborative Captain's Table experience onboard Edinburgh's five-star luxury floating hotel, Fingal, on Wednesday 4th February.
READ MORE
National Centre for Music appoints Director of Partnerships
Scotland's National Centre for Music bolsters founding team with new Director of Partnerships.
READ MORE
Celebrate Burns Night 2026 at Flight Club
If you're looking for a fun way to celebrate Burns Night this year, head to Flight Club!
READ MORE
Everything you need to know about Celtic Connections 2026
The renowned festival which every year transforms Glasgow in January into a must-visit destination for music lovers is now just over a week away.
READ MORE
Zizzi launches their January Birthday Jackpot
Zizzi's January Birthday Jackpot guarantees a special gift for adults born in January, with some lucky birthday guests receiving the jackpot prize - £100 towards their bill!
READ MORE
Litter picking dog charity aims to remove 44 million pieces of rubbish in 2026
Dog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution are hoped to boost the ranks of the Paws On Plastic charity to over 30,000 in 2026!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Open Workshop kicks off the New Year with hands on courses to build new skills
New year, new skills. Edinburgh Open Workshop is kicking off January with a hands-on programme of creative courses designed to help people turn resolutions into reality!
READ MORE
Brand new craft event encourages mindfulness, creativity and relaxation
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting customers along to an afternoon of creativity, connection, and cake this January, with a brand-new Crafternoon Tea Club.
READ MORE
Famous faces share their DofE Award memories in celebration of their 70th anniversary
Anyone with a connection to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is being invited to celebrate the charity's 70th anniversary by sharing their fondest DofE memories.
READ MORE
Vow to volunteer! The New Year resolution that could change lives in 2026
The team at Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL) believe that by vowing to volunteer in 2026, people can make a real difference to their local community!
READ MORE
Dry or Try January: Flight Club is your go to January social spot
Whether you're ditching the booze and going dry for a month or embracing Try January with the goal of experiencing new things, Flight Club, ticks all the boxes!
READ MORE
Glamorous Edwardians to be explored in major Edinburgh exhibition
A glamorous, never-before-exhibited portrait of Queen Mary and a miniature sleigh made of rock crystal will be among highlights on show in Scotland for the first time in this major exhibition.
READ MORE
Scotland goalkeeper kicks off Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh
Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations officially began last night as Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon kicked off the city's iconic Torchlight Procession.
READ MORE
Hibs women support Scottish charity with Nuby this Christmas
Two Hibernian Women players have helped bring festive cheer to local families this Christmas, donating Santa Surprise Boxes to a Scottish charity on behalf of baby brand Nuby.
READ MORE
Hauf and hauf revival as Edinburgh drinks partnership hits the pub
A modern twist on a traditional Scottish serve is being poured across Edinburgh this festive season, as two of the city's leading independent drinks producers announce a flavour-led collaboration.
READ MORE
Opening New Years Day: Turner in January triumphantly returns to the National Galleries of Scotland
Following the incredible success of last year's blockbuster exchange with the National Gallery of Ireland, Scotland's own much-loved Turners are back in Edinburgh for 2026!
READ MORE
Christmas has arrived in Glasgow, The IRN BRU Carnival returns for its 106th year
Europe's largest indoor fun fair, The IRN-BRU Carnival, has opened to the public at Glasgow's SEC with its greatest show to date!
READ MORE
Historic Edinburgh pub set for major investment in the New Year
A much-loved Belhaven pub in the heart of the Old Town is set to ring in the New Year in style with a brand-new look and elevated offering as it undergoes a significant programme of refurbishment.
READ MORE
Castle of Light offers special priced tickets for spectacular closing night
Experience the award-winning after-dark event at Edinburgh Castle one final time, with a special £10 ticket available for the final night (Sunday 4 January 2026).
READ MORE
Edinburgh Rugby scores new deal with city centre sports bar
Edinburgh Rugby has scored a new deal with one of the city’s most popular sports bars, which will see all the buzz from Hive Stadium pop-up in the Grassmarket.
READ MORE
A Goal So Good it is a Work of Art!
It’s a winner! A spectacular new photograph is now on show at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait to celebrate Scotland’s men reaching the FIFA World Cup 2026.
READ MORE
First Footin goes Global with Live Streaming announced from iconic venues
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has announced the event will include live streaming for the first time, opening the New Year’s Day performances to audiences around the world.
READ MORE
Distillers Fair returns for its 25th year at the The Scotch Whisky Experience
This December, The Scotch Whisky Experience invites guests to raise a dram to a quarter-century of discovery as the Distillers’ Fair returns for its 25th year.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links