Wednesday 31 July 2013

Edinburgh Book Festival 2013

Alexander McCall Smith

In August I attend EIBF (Edinburgh International Book Festival) in Charlotte Sq.
The Square is quite the right setting, surrounded by the Georgian new town at the end of George Street, and on one of Edinburgh’s higher grounds. Edinburgh is a city of many vantage points with wide-ranging views and this square is one of them. Here the light is often clear with just the right amount of ambience.  


After a walk on the bustling colour of the high street, I can escape here to the tranquillity, peace and wisdoms of the written (and sometimes spoken) word. I enjoy too the international aspect of the festival with writers from around the world. 
Neil Gaiman


The book festival offers many contrasting events – talks, debates, conversations between novelists, poets, scientists, politicians, journalists, world writers conference, reviewers, broadcasters, economists, reports, storytellers, university lecturers, crime writers, children’s writers, educators, comedians, musicians, artists, authors, and even more…Some authors are writers, poets, artists and musicians. 

2013 will mark the 30th year of EIBF. To celebrate the festivals wishes to look back and to the future with several festival threads. In 1983 the EIBF was run by director Jenny Brown and now the festival is run by Nick Barley. 
John Byrne
Bidisha
Some writers are wonderful to photograph with so many wonderful characters. 
I’ve also attended some outstanding talks at EIBF – Melvyn Bragg, Nile Rodgers, Gao Xingjian, Debates, the Unbound.

I include here some of my favourite images from the past few years - it has been hard to choose!  

Paolo Giordano
Steve Benbow
Elaine Proctor

Patrick Ness

This Year 2013 is celebrating 30 years with over 17 days with 800 authors. Authors this year included – Salmon Rushdie, Joe Sacco, Margaret Atwood, Cerys Mathews, Peter Hook, Tracey Thorn, Edna O’Brien, Arne Dahl, Chris Ware, Tim Burgess, Caitlin Moran, Alfred Brendel, Neil Gaiman and many more…

Edinburgh International Book Festival PHOTOS -  http://pkimage.co.uk/authors


Lazlo Krasznahorkai

Mark Beaumont

Seamus Heaney