2023 Public Programme
Celebrating the Book Festival’s 40th anniversary with ‘The Joy of Words’, over 500 authors and participants took part in a diverse hybrid programme. Drawing together an all-star cast to shine light on What Makes a Writer, Nick Barley’s final programme as Book Festival Director walked, ran, and cycled beyond Edinburgh College of Art in the innovative Inside Out series, while also tackling the tough subject of Climate Positivism head on.
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2022 Public Programme
All Together Now was the rallying cry in 2022, following two years of hiatus due to the pandemic. A vibrant programme saw the hybrid Festival format, developed during the height of Covid, return with 600 live in-person events, 200 livestreamed, for adults and children. Homegrown talent shared the stage with UK and international writers to celebrate the imagination, ideas and issues at the heart of books and stories.
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2022 Baillie Gifford Schools Programme
After a difficult two years of pandemic restrictions for pupils, bringing groups of school children together to unleash their creativity and take inspiration from top writers was at the heart of the Baillie Gifford Schools Programme in 2022. Dinosaurs, detectives, climate issues, wildlife, steam trains and more, with lots of hands-on activities.
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2019 Public Programme
In 2019 we went on the hunt for new stories in a world that seems to need them with increasing urgency. The contradictions in modern life need imaginative thinking, and bold new solutions. Climate change, technology and food production are just some of the issues that urgently need new ideas; new stories that authors and audiences can developed together at the Festival.
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2019 Schools Programme
Our 2019 Schools Programme declared that we are ‘Citizens of the World’ and brought diverse voices from Scotland and across the globe to meet with audiences of all ages. With a special focus on identity and heritage, we considered what it means to be a citizen and part of a community.
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2018 Public Programme
In 2018, we asked our audiences ‘What does Freedom mean to you?’ Over 1000 writers from across the world participated in the Festival, many exploring ideas around Freedom – free speech, freedom of expression, freedom of the individual and more.
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2018 Schools Programme
The Schools Programme in 2018 challenged young minds to think about what freedom means to them and to other young people around the world, with well-known writers, illustrators and performers from far and wide coming along to share their perspectives.
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2017 Public Programme
The programme in 2017 reflected the joy of new writing but also offered insights into the turbulent times we are living through, exploring the brave new words in fiction and non-fiction, which help us better understand the issues facing people across the world and, importantly, the role we play.
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2017 Schools Programme
In 2017, our Baillie Gifford Schools Programme challenged young minds to question, imagine and wonder – asking ‘What’s the Big Idea?’. The programme brought together well-established writers, illustrators and performers from every corner of the globe, along with some shining new talent.
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2016 Public Programme
2016 was a year of seismic change: an opportunity to rethink outmoded political systems and ideas. The Book Festival’s Imagine Better theme represented a conscious attempt to think about these changes as they happened: an opportunity to explore and debate the values that Scottish society will strive to uphold.
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2016 Schools Programme
In 2016, we asked schools audiences “Where will your imagination take you?” We had a wonderful cornucopia of writers, illustrators and performers from the UK and overseas, ready to inspire creativity and spark the imagination.
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2015 Public Programme
In 2015, we set out on a voyage of discovery in search of some of the most engaging authors and vital ideas from across the planet. The authors featured were responsible for some of the most influential books of the year, and helped us make sense of a world whose tectonic plates of power and culture are shifting rapidly.
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2015 Schools Programme
In 2015, we focused on storytelling with an international twist, looking at the many ways in which stories can be told, re-told, re-invented, adapted, translated and shared across languages, cultures and time.
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2014 Public Programme
In this landmark year which saw the commemoration of the beginning of the First World War, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and Scotland’s independence referendum, ‘Let’s Talk’ was the invitation we extended to both authors and audience members alike…
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2014 Schools Programme
In 2014 school pupils from across Scotland joined us to learn about some lesser known heroes of the First World War, the Scottish Youth Parliament gave some timely advice to youngsters facing their first vote, while illustrators such as James Mayhew brought books to life for the younger children…
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2013 Public Programme
The 2013 Edinburgh International Book Festival celebrated an astonishing generation of literary talent and marked 30 years since its humble beginnings…
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2013 Schools Programme
In our 30th year we celebrated in style. Lively events for youngsters included Julia Donaldson, Emma Dodd and Nick Sharratt, whilst older pupils were treated to weighty themes and engaging discussions with Phil Earle, Cat Clarke and Chris Higgins…
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2012 Public Programme
2012 was a great year for new novels and a time for taking stock of what matters. Our programme responded to the need for reflection and discussion and celebrated the joy of great writing…
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2012 Schools Programme
For almost thirty years we’ve been encouraging and inspiring Scotland’s young readers and in 2012 we continued with the tradition with over 60 workshops, readings and book signings, each one a unique opportunity for young audiences to meet their favourite authors and talk about the books they love…
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2011 Public Programme
If the Book Festival is a place for discussing major global issues it is also somewhere to savour the pure life-enhancing escape offored by books. Who better to crown the celebrations than one of Scotland's greatest lifing writers, Alasdair Gray…
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2011 Schools Programme
One of the best reasons to visit the Book Festival is that you get to meet favourite authors, such as David Almond, Nick Sharratt and Malorie Blackman, alongside new and emerging writers…
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2010 Public Programme
Writers are fundamental to our understanding of the world: away from the barrage of instant news information, writers give a more subtle perspective on everything from complex economic issues to hilariously wayward relationships…
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2010 Schools Programme
The 2010 programme is simply bursting with fresh ideas and exciting authors, aswell as valuable and engaging activities which span the curriculum...
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2009 Public Programme
The noise of passionate debate, the laughter of delighted audiences, and the expectant hush that falls over people who are caught by the spell of words and ideas. Yes, this is heaven...
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2009 Schools Programme
Engaging, inspiring, informative and influential – the authors and illustrators taking part in this year’s RBS Schools Programme are a unique collection of talents...
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2008 Public Programme
Celebrate with us 25 years ago this summer, a few tents popped up among the trees in Charlotte Square Gardens and the Book Festival was born...
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2008 Schools Programme
Inside these pages you’ll find a selection of unparalleled events, specially designed to enthuse, engage and entertain your pupils...
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2007 Public Programme
Exhilaration, imagination, inspiration – it is amazing what one green garden can contain...
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2007 Schools Programme
The RBS Schools Programme is an unmissable opportunity for your class to engage, interact, design, learn and play with the best and brightest in books today...
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2006 Public Programme
Welcome to our enchanted garden. Some call the Book Festival the Second Enlightenment. Some call it seventeen days of fun and surprises...
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2006 Schools Programme
As always, we have put together a first-class programme of authors, from perennial favourites to rising talent, as well as fantastic interactive events and workshops...
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2005 Public Programme
Welcome to a world of words and ideas: a world where minds spark like fireworks and the imagination takes flight...
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2005 Schools Programme
We are thrilled to bring you favourites such as Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Morpurgo, as well as exciting new talent from the likes of Paul Bajoria, Cliff McNish and Hazel Marshall...
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2004 Public Programme
Welcome to the 2004 Edinburgh International Book Festival – and our 21st birthday!
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2004 Schools Programme
Welcome to the 2004 Edinburgh International Book Festival Schools Programme – and our 21st birthday!
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Celebrating the 2024 Book Festival 
