EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL EXPLORES A CHANGING WORLD IN WORDS

20-Jun-2011 The Edinburgh International Book Festival today launched its programme for 2011 with a diverse collection of events around the theme of Revolution in the 21st Century which promises 17 days of lively debate in Charlotte Square Gardens this August. With Guest Selectors, the return of the debut authors’ award chosen by readers together with prize-winning authors, politicians, journalists and poets and a second year of late night Unbound events, the Book Festival promises a summer of rich discussion, entertainment and inspiration.

Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival said “In this, the year that the new
Europe comes of age, popular uprisings across North Africa and the Middle East are challenging life long regimes and the world is in a state of change, we will examine the theme of Revolution. From Libya to China, India to Iran, the USA ten years after 9/11 and the recent controversies involving Twitter and Wikileaks, audiences and authors in Charlotte Square Gardens will explore the power of the written word to provide a compelling commentary on the world around us.”

“We will also be celebrating some legends of modern literature. 2011 sees the centenary of the birth of two great poets from opposite ends of Europe - Sorley MacLean and Czeslaw Milosz - and thirty years since the publication of Alasdair Gray’s Lanark. We are delighted that Alasdair will be joining us, not only to open the Book Festival but also on the final evening with a full-length performed reading of his latest work, Fleck, in what is perhaps the most ambitious event we have ever attempted: a world premiere featuring a stellar cast including Liz Lochhead, Will Self, A L Kennedy, Ian Rankin and Alasdair himself. We are very grateful for the support of the Scottish Government's Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund which has allowed us to stage this special event, and to develop a wider programme of performance events in our free Unbound programme.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said, “The Edinburgh International Book Festival has long been a highlight in the Edinburgh Festivals’ calendar, bringing together some of the world's finest authors and the best of contemporary Scottish talent. This year's programme is sure to intrigue and delight audiences as well as raising Scotland's cultural profile on the international stage."

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT FRANCES SUTTON, PRESS MANAGER:
frances@edbookfest.co.uk / Tel: 0131 718 5654 / Mob: 07841 579481
The Edinburgh International Book Festival Ltd is a Scottish charity (SC010120) and a limited company (registered in Scotland

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