Citizen Winter Warmer – join us in-person on 19 & 20 November

As part of our ongoing Citizen programme, we’ve teamed up with The Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh and North Edinburgh Arts in Muirhouse to celebrate local community voices, create opportunities for new stories to be heard and offer a weekend of inspiring creative activities and conversations. Join us for heart-warming, interactive and fun events for adults and children at the Brunton Theatre on Friday 19 November and North Edinburgh Arts on Saturday 20 November.

The Great Big Story Show (2.30pm-4.30pm) offers excitement for all the family. Fun-loving duo Macastory bring their hilarious songs and stories to the stage, writer Luke Winter creates a brand new story live from audience suggestions, and much-loved children’s authors Maisie Chan and Elle McNicoll read from their new book The Very Merry Murder Club, full of Christmassy crimes, festive foul play and murderously magnificent mysteries – perfect for inquisitive kids! In Musselburgh, author Christopher Lloyd joins us to explain how to stand up for the environment with his beautifully illustrated nature book It’s Up to Us, while at North Edinburgh Arts illustrator Eilidh Muldoon adds to the fun by creating a beautifully illustrated map of North Edinburgh featuring audiences’ favourite places.

Tuck into two evenings of terrific tales and delicious food as the Book Festival’s Citizen participants share stories of life in Musselburgh and north Edinburgh, and writers explore what community means today, in our popular Stories and Scran event (5.30pm-7.30m). Savour a sumptuous three course meal provided by the Scran Academy (included with your ticket) and hear brilliant new writing from local people who have taken part in Citizen’s creative conversations. In Musselburgh, award-winning author of Scabby Queen, Kirstin Innes, and poets JL Williams and Andrés Ordorica, share their own powerful writing and discuss their views on community, identity and home. At North Edinburgh Arts, award-winning poet, playwright and author of Luckenbooth Jenni Fagan, as well as poets Courtney Stoddart and Ryan Hay, share their own new work and thoughts on belonging.

Don’t miss the chance to see Who Lives in a Place Like This?, a free photography exhibition showcasing incredible images of North Edinburgh and the people that call it home, available to peruse 15-27 November in the café at North Edinburgh Arts. From selfies and action shots to reflections on life in lockdown and dreams for the future, the exhibition gives a snapshot of the community and includes images from The Alternative School at Spartans Community Football Club.  

The Citizen Winter Warmer is all about sharing stories from local communities and, prior to the two-day event itself, writer Luke Winter is joined by Citizen Writer in Residence Eleanor Thom as they park the Story Wagon outside each venue (Tuesday 16 November at The Brunton, Musselburgh and Wednesday 17 November at North Edinburgh Arts, 10am to 2pm each day). Local residents are encouraged to drop in, have a chat and tell their stories to Luke and Eleanor.

Tickets to all events at Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh are available at bruntontheatre.co.uk or on 0131 653 5245 (Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm). Tickets to all events at North Edinburgh Arts are available at northedinburgharts.co.uk. Full details of the Citizen Winter Warmer Programme can be found at ontheroad.edbookfest.co.uk.

The Citizen Winter Warmer is part of Book Week Scotland, in partnership with The Brunton Theatre and North Edinburgh Arts. Citizen is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and funded through the PLACE Programme, a partnership between the Scottish Government- through Creative Scotland - the City of Edinburgh Council and the Edinburgh Festivals.

Friday 19 November – The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh

The Great Big Story Show

2.30pm – 4.30pm, £3, Ages 7+
Visit thebrunton.co.uk to book your tickets.

Stories and Scran: Musselburgh

5.30pm – 7:30pm, £5
Visit thebrunton.co.uk to book your tickets.

Saturday 20 November – North Edinburgh Arts, Muirhouse

The Great Big Story Show

2.30pm – 4.30pm, £3 / £2 Good Neighbours, Ages 7+
Visit North Edinburgh Arts on Eventbrite to book your tickets.

Stories and Scran: North Edinburgh

5.30pm – 7:30pm, £5 / £3 Good Neighbours
Visit North Edinburgh Arts on Eventbrite to book your tickets.

Who Lives in a Place Like This?

Mon 15 – Sat 27 November
Free exhibition in the NEA Café