It was in August 1983 when the gates to Charlotte Square Gardens opened to visitors for the inaugural Edinburgh Book Festival, featuring 120 authors including John Updike, P.D. James and Alasdair Gray. Until 1997 it was held biennially, and since then has colourfully blossomed every summer into the largest festival of literature of its kind in the world.
The 2013 EIBF programme has an intriguing abstract green cover, revealing nothing on the outside, but perhaps representing the Secret Garden at Charlotte Square. Turn the page to enter and start browsing through the 750 events at which an impressive 800 authors will be discussing every subject and literary genre from crime and science fiction, music and theatre, to travel and world affairs.
Under the Director Nick Barley, the Festival has again been refreshed in style and structure, with a feast of innovative themes and exciting events.
Take part in a Reading Workshop, covering a classic novel in depth, such as “The Great Gatsby” and “Treasure Island”. And every afternoon at 4pm there is City of Literature Story Shop, (free), to hear young writers share their work.
To celebrate 30 years of the Festival, it’s timely to look back at the careers of our nation’s successful writers. In 1983, Granta magazine announced the first Best Young British Novelists, with a new list published every decade. Several of these writers discuss their work since being picked out as a talented literary voice, including Salman Rushdie (1983), Candia McWilliam (1993), A.L Kennedy (2003) as well as newcomer Evie Wyld (2013).
As Scotland is famed for creating the legendary comics, Dandy and Beano, it is fitting that a showcase entitled Stripped will focus on the creative artistry of graphic novels.
Poetry is highlighted with some of our finest names in the business –Kathleen Jamie (Costa Poetry Award 2012), and the Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy. As a legacy to Edwin Morgan, a new Award for Scottish Poets will be announced at an event chaired by Liz Lochhead, who succeeded Morgan as our Scots Makar.
In tribute to the late Iain Banks, (who despite being seriously ill had planned to attend the Festival to read from his new novel), there will be a discussion on his multi-faceted literary career from The Wasp Factory (1984) to The Quarry (2013).
Global adventures, past and present is a recurring topic through the Festival: Julie Davidson has researched the intrepid travel experiences of Mary Livingstone, wife of David Livingstone the African explorer, while Gavin Francis will describe surviving isolation and freezing temperatures in Antarctica.
Best selling novelists, Ian Rankin, Alexander McCall Smith, Val McDermid, Kate Atkinson, Margaret Atwood, Melvin Bragg, et al, will be there, as well as politicians, TV journalists, religious leaders, artists, musicians and actors.
From 9pm each evening, The Spiegeltent will be the place to gather for a medley of stories, music and comedy under the title, Jura Unbound, presented by Skinny Magazine.
A vital part of the EIBF is the Children’s and Young Adults programme with workshops, storytelling, performances and educational schools’ events. Favourite writers include Julia Donaldson, Debi Gliori, Vivian French, Lari Don, and dozens more, who will entertain and inspire young readers to pick up a book and experience the World in Words.
The overall concept for the Edinburgh Book Festival for adults and children is all about listening to writers and thinkers, to consider and debate for understanding, pleasure and enrichment.
“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.”
Pooh Bear – A. A. Milne
The Edinburgh International Book Festival runs 10 - 26 August, 2013