ALL Together Now is the fitting theme of the Edinburgh International Book Festival which returns from 13 – 30 August 2022.
And it couldn’t be more appropriate as this year’s vibrant programme builds on the hybrid format developed over the past two Covid-disrupted years with live, in-person events, many of which are also available to stream or watch at a later date.
Also tying in with the inclusive theme is the fact the Book Festival is packed with events for adults but also boasts a stunning programme for children and young people as it celebrates the imagination, issues and ideas at the heart of books and stories, offering new perspectives on a fast-changing world.
This year the festival returns to the Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) and adds new event spaces to accommodate more than 600 events featuring over 550 authors, performers, musicians and thinkers from 50 countries.
Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, says: “We’ve learned a great deal in the last two years, so that alongside the return of our full-scale in-person festival we can also offer the accessibility and international reach of live-streamed events.
“The world has changed immeasurably since 2019. We’re learning to live with the effects of the pandemic and war in Europe – but we’re also beginning to imagine what a better future should look like. Exploring these issues in inspiring conversations with scientists, historians, poets and novelists is exactly where the Book Festival comes into its own.
“I’m thrilled that thanks to Baillie Gifford, every young person coming to a Schools event gets a free ticket and a free book this year and, with all online events and a selection of our in-person theatre tickets also available on a Pay What You Can basis, we’re doing everything we can to make the festival accessible to everyone.”
Obviously one of the biggest changes in recent times has been the Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and Chernobyl expert and bestselling Ukrainian historian Serhii Plokhy will discuss Ukraine’s position at the crossroads of Europe and Russia, while Gideon Rachman, Andrew Wilson and Lea Ypi come together to investigate the rise of authoritarian leaders.
I studied politics and history at Edinburgh so I’ve already booked tickets for historian Antony Beevor talking about his new book exploring the dramatic story of Russia’s revolution and the savage civil war that continues to influence the modern era.
Ben Whishaw won an Emmy, Golden Globe and BAFTA for his portrayal of Norman Scott in the smash-hit TV series A Very British Scandal and now Norman Scott will share his own perspective on his affair with politician Jeremy Thorpe (played by Hugh Grant) in the 1970s, and a subsequent failed assassination attempt.
There is a uniquely Scottish flavour to the Book Festival and this year is no exception with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon joining the Festival for two events. Firstly she will interview acclaimed novelist Louise Welsh about her new novel The Second Cut but I suspect the bigger draw will be Ms Sturgeon talking with screen legend Brian Cox about his life on the Scottish stage.
Will Sturgeon take the opportunity to grill the actor about his role as the ever-scheming media mogul Logan Roy in acclaimed television series Succession, and glean some tips on Machiavellian manipulation for use in the Holyrood chamber?!
It wouldn’t be the Edinburgh International Book Festival without the presence of the newly-knighted Sir Ian Rankin who returns to the festival for a conversation with Sam Baker about his TV series Murder Island, involving real amateur detectives, finishing an unpublished manuscript by the godfather of Scottish crime writing William McIlvanney (The Dark Remains) and, much to everyone’s relief, his upcoming Rebus novel.
Launching new books at the festival are some of the world’s best-loved thriller writers including the Queen of Crime Val McDermid who follows up last year’s bestselling 1979 with 1989, the latest in her series chronicling modern Scotland.
One book I cannot wait for is The Long Knives, the new crime novel by Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh. Cards on the table, I used to write for the same Hibs fanzine as Irvine and have read everything he’s written since, so I’ll be in the audience as he talks about his new book that features squalid DI Ray Lennox, whom we first met in 1998 hit Filth.
Musicians have always featured heavily at the festival and this year world-famous artists including Martha Wainwright, Jarvis Cocker, Vashti Bunyan, PJ Harvey, Shirley Manson and Charlotte Church and Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross will share stories of their journeys through the world of music while writer Sinead Gleeson discusses This Woman’s Work – the anthology she coedited about women and music – with contributor Ottessa Moshfegh.
Sure to be one of the hottest tickets in town, Scottish entertainer – and New York Times bestselling author – Alan Cumming will discuss his luminous memoir Baggage about his fascinating life and acting career that has taken him from the stage at Aberfeldy’s tiny theatre to Hollywood stardom and a record-breaking run on Broadway.
Black perspectives also take centre stage in non-fiction events at this year’s festival, and I’m keen to see Howard W. French presenting a revised history of modern civilisation from the point of view of Africa and its people in conversation with Olivette Otele. Also, Lord Simon Woolley, founder and director of Operation Black Vote and the first Black man to lead an Oxbridge college, will talk about his own inspiring life story with Baroness Lola Young.
This August the Book Festival features a range of LGBTQIA+ voices. From the continuing fight for equality, recognition and belonging, to tender tales of love against the odds, these stories get to the heart of issues affecting the queer community across the world today. Participants include Imogen Binnie, Torrey Peters and Shola von Reinhold who join Harry Josephine Giles to talk about the evolution of trans literature, and award-winning poet and performer Joelle Taylor who inspires audiences to use personal experience and perspectives to create new forms of poetry.
It’s an unprecedented year for performance and, using a fusion of sign language, image and performance, Sarah Smith’s Hear No Evil will be a stand-out. Telling the story of Jean Campbell, a deaf woman from Glasgow who in 1817 was accused of murder when her child drowned in the Clyde, the performance explores what was a turning point in rights for deaf people in Scotland, and is created in partnership with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s BA course in Performance in British Sign Language and English.
The past few years have been particularly tough for young people, so festival organisers are delighted to welcome firm favourites including bestselling How To Train Your Dragon author-illustrator Cressida Cowell, the creator of the Gruffalo Julia Donaldson and former doctor Adam Kay of This is Going to Hurt fame. The Baillie Gifford Children’s Programme includes a range of hands-on workshops for children from toddlers to teens, and the multi award-winning Michael Morpurgo returns with Carnival of Animals, a musical event for the over fives. For older kids, former Blue Peter and current Most Haunted presenter Yvette Fielding will be discussing the latest instalment in her The Ghost Hunter Chronicles series as well as leading ghost tours through Edinburgh’s spooky streets.
Tickets are available for all events by visiting www.edbookfest.co.uk or by calling 0345 373 5888.
All livestreamed events are Pay What You Can, events for children and young adults range from £0-£5, events for adults range from £0-£16 and some are Pay What You Can, while creative workshops range from £16-£35.
