Edinburgh International Book Festival 2004 14 - 30 August

Location: Charlotte Square Gardens ....see map.
Book festival reviews

In Charlotte square gardens, the tents have been erected, and the bookshelves built, which means that the 21st Edinburgh International Book Festival 2004 is upon us. Happy Birthday, Book Festival, but you came of age a long time ago.
It has become a celebration of the English languages, both in written and spoken form which all takes place in a haven of tranquillity compared with other festivals, a 220 year old garden in the centre of the city. Charlotte Square gardens comes alive each year ,in August, as the most successful Book Festival in the World opens its tent flaps to the World

Each year the Book Festival has grown in strength and interest, ever since it threw of its cautious bi-annual habit and replaced it with its annual mantle. This has come to pass, principally, due to the enormous dedication of its past and present Directors and Staff. Who apart from creating the most people and child friendly Festival, have grown a Hermetic Garden of discussion and debate that surpasses cultural, religious, philosophical and political barriers. Charlotte Square Gardens in August becomes a tented sanctuary, open to all pilgrims and learned masters, where the written word stands alongside the spoken word, in a fantastic celebration of knowledge and wisdom.

Catherine Lockerbie, the Book Festival Director has this year brought us a cornucopia of superb choice .
The Children’s Book Festival programme director Karen Mountney, has assured us that the Children's section has many delights and treats in store... There is a whisper that Harry Potter's Mum is coming to talk to the young amongst us.

For Book Festival previews see Viv Devlin's highlights

John Ritchie