Nicola Sturgeon and Irvine Welsh feature in Edinburgh book festival line-up
The programme for the Edinburgh International Book Festival has been revealed, with speakers including former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, author Irvine Welsh and MP Diane Abbott.
Authors Maggie O'Farrell and Alexander McCall Smith are also on the line-up, along with comedian Julian Clary and actors Viggo Mortensen, Sam Heughan and Dame Vanessa Redgrave.
Performances at the festival, which runs from August 9 to 24, include Fun Lovin' Crime Writers – a band which involves novelists Chris Brookmyre and Val McDermid.
Ms Sturgeon will launch her memoir, Frankly, and will be in conversation with journalist Kirsty Wark as part of the Front List series.
Sports commentator Ally McCoist will give a talk on his career, and former first minister Henry McLeish will join academic James Mitchell for a discussion on Scottish devolution and how it has progressed.
The core theme of this year's festival is Repair, and organisers said it will be 'seeking to explore the many things around us which feel broken, and how we might seek to fix them'.
Others on the line-up include historian David Starkey, while former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable will give a talk about shifting economic powers, and commentator Ash Sarkar will 'tear into the morals of identity politics'.
Festival director Jenny Niven said: 'This year's key theme of Repair starts from the belief that the brilliant ideas of writers and thinkers can help us repair a host of seemingly 'broken' things in our society, from the cycle of fast fashion and our relationship with the environment, to cultural reparations and the state of our politics.
'It's a statement of hope and resilience, and an invitation for our audiences to think about what 'repair' might mean for them.
'At a time when important conversations can feel impossible to have without igniting conflict and anger, we want the Edinburgh International Book Festival to provide a safe place for challenging but considered discussions.
'This year our programme features over 600 writers and artists from 35 countries, who have a wide range of perspectives on topics of personal, social and global importance.
🎟️The Front List 2025 is now on sale! 🎟️
Our first events of 2025 are now on sale! Brimming with iconic authors, international voices, critical commentators, and figures from sports and entertainment, tickets for The Front List are available now at https://t.co/I0OLb3BQnr pic.twitter.com/L39WTmjxZE
— Edinburgh International Book Festival (@edbookfest) May 6, 2025
'We invite you to come and learn something new, feed your curiosity and to broaden your horizons.'
Welsh will give discuss his new novel Men In Love, which features the characters from Trainspotting as they experience the heyday of rave culture in the late 80s and early 90s.
The talk Second Summer of Love will ask if love is the drug all men need, according to the festival programme.
Renowned author Hanif Kureishi will give a talk remotely about his recovery from a devastating accident which left him paralysed.
Shattered But Unbroken will discuss how he dictated his thoughts to his family following the fall on Boxing Day 2022.
Palestinian writer Ilan Pappe and Israeli historian Avi Shlaim will discuss the conflict in the Middle East and whether peace can exist.
Bookbinder Rachel Hazell will lead a workshop, Junk Journals Workshop, where old books will be re-fashioned into journals.
This year's children's programme will include more than 100 events for young readers, including from renowned authors Michael Rosen, Jacqueline Wilson and Cressida Cowell.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
38 minutes ago
- The National
John Swinney and Anas Sarwar clash over reports of SNP secret meeting
It came as the pair discussed the hundreds of job losses at a Scottish bus manufacturer during First Minister's Questions (FMQs) on Thursday. The Scottish Labour leader pointed to reports that senior SNP figures had held a meeting to discuss Swinney's future as party leader, during an exchange discussing the closure of the Alexander Dennis factory in Falkirk. READ MORE: Fraser of Allander calls out Labour's Spending Review claim On Wednesday, Alexander Dennis announced it will look at consolidating its UK bus body manufacturing operations into a single site in Scarborough as part of a restructuring which is putting 400 jobs at risk. Swinney said he was 'deeply concerned' by the looming closure and said that ministers are engaging 'closely and firmly' to avoid any 'negative implications' for Scottish workers. Sarwar claimed that the Scottish Government procured more buses from China than Scotland, and Manchester mayor Andy Burnham had bought more than Scottish ministers. He then said that the First Minister had given a 'weak response', before bringing up reports that SNP figures had given Swinney two weeks to come up with ideas to save his job. 'If he hasn't come up with a good idea to improve Scotland in 18 years, what chance have you got coming up with something now?' Sarwar asked. The First Minister replied: 'What I'm doing, and what the workforce of Alexander Dennis will not be surprised at, is that I'm focusing on the situation facing Alexander Dennis. That's what I'm doing.' He added that the Scottish Government had provided £58 million in funding for the firm for zero emissions buses, and that Scottish Enterprise has also given the firm £30.3m for research and development. The First Minister continued: 'The stark reality is that current UK policy does not allow for the incentivisation or reward of local content, job retention or creation, nor does it encourage any domestic economic benefit. 'That is the implication of the subsidy control act.' (Image: Scottish Parliament) Sarwar replied: 'If John Swinney can't figure out a way to order busses in Scotland, I suggest h picks up the phone to Andy Burrnham and see how he managed to do it five times, almost five times as many bus orders. 'John Swinney and the SNP are out of ideas, out of steam, and out of time. 'Failing to support Scottish manufacturing jobs is just one example.' He added: 'One SNP MSP said about John Swinney, there is no energy, no fire, no boldness, no long-term vision. 'They're right, aren't they?' Swinned fired back: 'Listen, Mr Sarwar can conjure up all the stuff he wants. 'He can go through his press cuttings, he can practice it in the mirror in the morning to see how it sounds. 'I'm going to be focussed on delivering answers and solutions for workers who face difficulty in the country. READ MORE: UK accused of 'actively participating in genocide' by training IDF 'And while Mr Sarwar postures, I'm going to deliver for the workers of Scotland.' Elsewhere, Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay claimed the Scottish Government are "wasting billions of pounds of taxpayer money" and that the "SNP anti-business policies are costing Scotland a fortune". "The SNP have failed to keep up with the rest of the UK," he said. "They've made it even worse by wasting billions of pounds of taxpayers money for the National Care Service that doesn't treat patients, the endless Calmac ferry scandal, a 1 billion pound prison." (Image: Scottish Parliament) Findlay added: "Isn't this exactly why John Swinney can bring down bills or improve public services? He's throwing all the money away." Swinney fired back that since 2007 GDP per person has grown by 10.3% compared to 6.1% in the UK, demonstrating "superior economic performance". "There are implications of Mr Findlay saying things like the annual benefits bill is too high," the FM said. "He has to set out where the cuts are going to come from, and the cuts under Mr. Findlay will fall on the children of Scotland. "I want to lift children out of poverty. Mr. Findlay wants to consign children to poverty." Findlay responded: "The Scottish Conservative party wants to lift children and families out of poverty, not keep them trapped on benefits." And, Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater, discussing the expansion of free school meals, said that children would be "forced into poverty thanks to a Labour Government balancing the books on the backs of the poorest while the wealthiest grow ever richer". She added: "Does the First Minister agree that now is the time to demand that Keir Starmer set out exactly what conditions he believes need to be met to trigger an independence referendum so we can get out of this unequal union?" The FM replied: "I think it's unacceptable democratically for the will of this parliament, which has demanded the power to be able to hold a referendum on independence, is ignored by the United Kingdom Government, I think that is democratically unacceptable."
The National
44 minutes ago
- The National
SNP leadership challenge would not be a good idea, says John Swinney
Reports emerged this week suggesting a plot by some in the party to force Swinney to come up with a new strategy for Scottish independence. Asked by journalists after First Minister's Questions on Thursday if he would likely face a challenge, Swinney said: 'I have no idea.' On whether he was worried about such a move, he replied: 'I don't think that would be a good idea. READ MORE: John Swinney and Anas Sarwar clash over reports SNP figures plotting to oust FM 'I came into office to help the SNP recover from a very, very difficult situation in the spring of 2024 and I'm very focused on making sure that we make that recovery to be ready for the 2026 elections, and that's what's the focus of my thinking and my planning. 'I've obviously taken forward a number of steps over the course of the last 12 months to get the SNP into a better position.' He said that the party put itself 'in contention' in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election thanks to his leadership, when it would not have been before. 'We've got a journey of recovery and improvement to undertake, and we're doing that and that's the focus of my leadership.' The First Minister went on to say the SNP was 'not getting a hearing' from the public when he took over, but is now, because it is talking about the issues facing everyday people. In a 'second phase' of his leadership, the First Minister said he will 'open up a conversation about independence'. Since the reports emerged, Swinney has been defended by two of his most senior ministers. Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland on Thursday, Finance Secretary Shona Robison said the First Minister was 'absolutely' safe in his job. Newly-appointed Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan told the National she 100% supports Swinney to lead the party into the next election.
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
We will do everything we can to save Alexander Dennis jobs, vows Swinney
The company announced on Wednesday it is proposing to consolidate its UK operations at a single site in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. The decision puts 400 jobs at risk at its facility in Falkirk in another blow to the Forth Valley, which has already seen more than 400 jobs go at the Grangemouth refinery this year. Speaking at First Minister's Questions on Thursday, John Swinney said he is 'deeply concerned'. John Swinney said the Scottish Government will support jobs at Alexander Dennis (Andrew Milligan/PA) He told the chamber: 'This issue has been occupying a great deal of the focus and the attention of the Deputy First Minister and I and the UK Government ministers since we became aware of the situation over the last few weeks, and then ultimately to the decision that was announced yesterday.' He said his Government has 'supported' the manufacturer. But Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar accused Holyrood ministers of overlooking Scottish industry in favour of ordering buses from China, while pointing to the order from Alexander Dennis of around 160 vehicles by the publicly-owned network in Greater Manchester. In Scotland, public service buses are procured by private operators, who then run them on routes across the country. Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the Government has not supported Scottish industry (PA) Mr Swinney said state aid regulations – in the form of the UK-wide Subsidy Control Act – prevent the Government from directly procuring from a single supplier like Alexander Dennis. He quoted a joint letter from the UK and Scottish governments, which pledged to 'work closely with Alexander Dennis at this challenging time'. He added: 'That's us indicating that we're keen to do everything we can to find a way through the Subsidy Control Act provisions, so the Government can continue to operate within the law, which we must do, but also, we can support manufacturing in Scotland, which is my priority.' Responding, Mr Sarwar said: 'If John Swinney can't figure out a way to order buses in Scotland, I suggest he picks up the phone to (Greater Manchester Mayor) Andy Burnham and see how he managed to do it. Greater Manchester's Bee Network buses were made at Alexander Dennis (PA) 'Almost five times as many bus orders from Manchester.' Mr Sarwar's claim stems from the second phase of the Scottish Government's green bus initiative ScotZEB, which ordered 44 buses from Alexander Dennis. However, according to a press release from the time, 137 buses were ordered from the firm in the first phase, amounting to a total of 181. In a statement, Mr Burnham – who has visited the Falkirk site – said: 'Our iconic Bee Network buses are a bit of Scotland right here in Greater Manchester. 'We have over 160 Alexander Dennis buses criss-crossing our city-region every day – connecting our communities to opportunity. 'If Greater Manchester can invest in world-class Scottish bus manufacturing, then why can't the SNP Scottish Government?'
