Festival reveals plans for Nicola Sturgeon memoir launch
Organisers have lifted the lid on the first headline events to be confirmed in the 2025 programme.
Read more:
Others confirmed to appear in the festival's biggest venue, the McEwan Hall, including authors Maggie O'Farrell, Ian McEwan, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, R F Kuang and Asako Yuzuki.
Audiences at the festival will be among the first to get their hands on Ms Sturgeon's book, Frankly, which its publisher says will be 'remarkable for its honest and self-reflection.'
Due for release on August 14, the day she is appearing at the book festival, Frankly is billed as 'a deeply personal memoir' which will reveal 'the person behind the politician.'
Brian Cox will be among the special guests at the Edinburgh International Book Festival this year. (Image: Oxford Union)
Revealing the title and cover for the book in March, Ms Sturgeon said: 'I have poured my heart into this book. It tells the story of my personal journey, it recounts the extraordinary events that I have been privileged to live and to lead through.
'It takes you behind the scenes of the incredible experiences I've had along the way, and my interactions with some colourful characters.
'The title sums up what the book is – open, honest, candid – about my mistakes and my heartbreaks as well as my triumphs and achievements.'
Other special guests confirmed for the festival's McEwan Hall line-up, The Front List, include the American journalists Anne Applebaum, Edward Wong and Ta-Nehisi Coates.
Ruth Jones, co-creator of Gavin and Stacey with James Corden, will be discussing her new novel, while Ally McCoist will be discussing his own recent memoir, Dear Scotland: On the Road with the Tartan Army. Brian Cox will be among Mark Kermode's special guests in his event.
The Front List events were launched at the McEwan Hall last summer as part of a new partnership between the book festival and Fringe promoters Underbelly, who also use the venue.
The strand has been expanded from nine to 14 events for this year's edition.
Festival director Jenny Niven said: 'At this challenging moment in history and politics, we'll be offering a comprehensively informed and critical eye on international affairs, and also the chance to escape them through the work of some of the world's foremost fiction writers, entertainment, and sporting figures.
There's plenty more to come in our full programme announcement, but we hope our line-up for The Front List offers a delicious taster of the many flavours and perspectives you can expect from this year's festival events.'
Marina Dixon, head of programming at Underbelly, said: 'Our partnership with the book festival continues to bring some of the most vital, thought-provoking voices of our time to the heart of the city and the festival season and so we're absolutely delighted to welcome back The Front List.
'At Underbelly, we're passionate about creating space for bold ideas and unexpected conversations—and The Front List does exactly that.'
Tickets for The Front List events in the book festival go on sale to the public at 10 am on May 6.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
8 minutes ago
- Reuters
Unwelcome at Kennedy Center, LGBTQ+ orchestra defiantly plays in Maryland
NORTH BETHESDA, Maryland, June 6 (Reuters) - The program contained American favorites: pieces by Aaron Copland and George Gershwin and a choral performance of "America the Beautiful" to celebrate WorldPride, a biennial international festival in support of LGBTQ+ rights that this year is taking place in Washington. The International Pride Orchestra had hoped to play at the Kennedy Center, the most prestigious venue in the United States, but that was before U.S. President Donald Trump pledged on social media that there would be "NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA" at the public-private performing arts center. Instead, the orchestra took to the stage at the Strathmore Music Center in Maryland, just north of the capital, with sequin-clad drag queen Peaches Christ as host, and another drag queen, Thorgy Thor, playing a violin solo to Beyonce's "Crazy in Love" to an audience of 1,166 people. WorldPride events are taking place during a Trump administration that has issued executive orders limiting transgender rights, banned transgender people from serving in the armed forces, and rescinded anti-discrimination policies for LGBTQ+ people as part of a campaign, opens new tab to repeal diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Michael Roest, conductor and founder of the International Pride Orchestra, a nonprofit, reminded the audience that "people don't feel safe to live and love openly." "That is the reason why we have this orchestra," Roest said. The evening offered messages about equality and patriotic ideals as expressed in "America the Beautiful," sung by the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, which accompanied the orchestra in the second half of the show. A transgender pianist, Sara Davis Buechner, dazzled with her grand piano lead on "Rhapsody in Blue." U.S. and rainbow flags were hoisted at the close. Within weeks of taking office, Trump in February fired the leadership of the Kennedy Center and named himself chairman, complaining about what he said was the poor quality of performances. On February 10, he announced on social media that loyalist Richard Grenell would become interim director of the center and made the "NO MORE DRAG SHOWS" post. Two days later, the Kennedy Center sent Roest a message that said, "We are not in a position at this time to advance a contract," according to an email chain seen by Reuters. That message came after months of negotiations over securing the Kennedy Center, orchestra spokesperson David Perry said. Considering themselves "disinvited," event organizers began looking for alternative venues and the Strathmore offered its space, Perry said. Ryan Bos, executive director of the Capital Pride Alliance, which is leading the coordination of WorldPride, explained the move by saying, "We would not be allowed to have any official drag programming." "That defeats the purpose of Pride - in terms of creating a welcoming and safe environment for anybody to feel comfortable being their true, authentic self, which is what Pride's about," Bos said in comments to The Advocate, a magazine reporting LGBT+ news, that were confirmed by the alliance. Asked for a response, a Kennedy Center spokesperson referred Reuters to Bos' remarks and an X post by Grenell saying, "We didn't cancel a single show at the Kennedy Center. We simply ask that shows don't lose money and leave us with the bill." The three-year-old orchestra was created to give LGBTQ+ musicians an avenue to perform free of concerns about their sexual orientation or gender identity. "This performance is in and of itself a form of resistance," said Luke Spence, the orchestra's general manager and also a trumpet player. Jennifer Curtis, a violinist and concert master, welcomed the spotlight that came with the dispute. "That's what you want in the time of struggle, or if you're needing to make a statement," Curtis said. "We got extra publicity out of being at the butt end of Trump."
Daily Mail
9 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Kate Scott stuns alongside her boxing trainer husband at awards ceremony... while glamorous Albanian Champions League presenter Eva Murati also turns heads
Kate Scott dazzled at a recent awards ceremony, accompanied by her boxing trainer husband - looking every bit the power couple. The Manchester-born CBS Sports presenter previously went by Kate Abdo before she tied the knot in September 2024 with Malik Scott - an American former heavyweight professional boxer. Their relationship was first revealed live on air by pundits Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards in December 2023 and since then, Kate, 43, and Malik, 44, have shared the occasional glimpse into their private lives for their social media followers. And their latest public appearance came at the Sofascore Player of the Season award ceremony, which was produced by CBS. The event - which took place in Zadar, Croatia - was directed by the multiple Emmy award-winning Pete Radovich - CBS's creative lead for their Champions League coverage. On the night, Kate wore a glamorous figure-hugging white dress and heels, while Malik donned a black and white chequered shirt, complimented by a black bowler hat. The boxing trainer - who became Deontay Wilder's head coach for the first part of his trilogy with Tyson Fury in 2021 - also had a cigar in hand and he posed for photos with Kate. Kate was joined by former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel to present the event. Also commanding attention on the night was glamorous Albanian TV presenter Eva Murati, who boasts over a million followers on Instagram. The Champions League host, 30, has been anchoring coverage of Europe's elite club competition for Vizion Plus and Tring TV since 2017. Murati had started work as a television presenter at the age of 18, while working for an Italian-Albanian television channel. She turned up to the pomp in a slinky blue dress and platform heels, and was seen interviewing some figureheads of the sport. After equalling the record for goal contributions in a Premier League campaign in 2024-25, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah was voted Sofascore's Player of the Season on the night. Salah beat the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Cole Palmer and Matheus Cunha to the coveted award. The 30-year-old wore a tight-fitting blue dress on the red carpet, in a pair of platform heels Murati - who began as a TV presenter at the age of 18 - interviewed figureheads of the sport The 32-year-old also won the Premier League Player of the Year award, the Golden Boot, the Premier League trophy, the Playmaker of the Year prize and FWA Player of the Year award last season. Branimir Karacic, Director of Marketing at Sofascore, said: 'The Player of the Season Show is not just a celebration of the best footballers of the season. 'It's a statement of what we believe in – that performance on the pitch, supported by statistical data, deserves global recognition.
Daily Mirror
32 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
American busker in UK trying to earn cash to get home makes just £5 profit
Blake Robert has arrived in the UK with no money in his wallet and a unique challenge - and he has been documenting his experience on his social media channel for all to enjoy An American has flown to the UK for a unique challenge - and he literally cannot return home until it's completed. Blake Robert, who is known on social media as @theblakerobert, landed in the UK with just a suitcase and his guitar. Without a penny in his pocket, he aims to earn enough money busking on the streets of the UK to not only support himself while he's in the country but to also fund his plane ticket home. He has been documenting his challenge on his TikTok channel, sharing exactly how much money he made in Bath on day three of his challenge. In his video, he said: "I flew to the UK with no money and now I'll have to survive off the money I make playing my guitar." After attending an open-mic night in Bath, he met up with a group of buskers to decide when and where he can play his music in the town centre. He says the meet every morning to determine who get what spot to give each artist an opportunity to show off their talents while earning money for their performances. The meeting concluded with him playing in three locations around that - with the first being right outside Bath Abbey. At this location, he made £24, $5 (£3.70) and was also gifted a punnet of green grapes. Just 15 minutes later, he was on to his next location slightly around the corner in Abbey Churchyard. He says he only made £1 because it started to rain during his second set as everyone dodged the downpour in nearby shops, cafes and restaurants. Finally, set up on Stall Street, he made £18 and pulled in a small crowd who supported his music with praise and a dance. Hungry and tried, he ended up spending £15.25 on a steak and ale pie before booking himself into a £22 hotel, leaving him with only a £5.75 profit for the day providing he didn't buy anything else and excluding his $5. Commenting on his video, one user said: "Very bold move coming to the UK with no money but basically I'm really enjoying the content so keep it coming." Another user added: "If you are trying to save money there are much cheaper places you could go - Greggs, Weatherspoon's, a local café. Pubs are pricey unless they are Weatherspoon's. What other cities are you going to?" A third user said: "I'm so invested in your journey! Bath is very expensive though!" One more user added: "You are very near Bristol, you should go there!"
