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Edinburgh Reporter
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Book Festival programme – some tasty teasers announced on the Front List
The full programme for the Edinburgh International Book Festival programme will be announced on 10 June, but as a taster the Front List includes 14 events including two for schools with Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Laura Bates. The list includes names such as Maggie O'Farrell, Ian McEwan, R.F Kuang, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Asako Yuzuki and Nicola Sturgeon. Alexei Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya will also come to Edinburgh this yea. Yulia, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a Russian prison last year, speaks about her late husband's courageous work, Patriot, and continuing his crucial activism. These events will take place at McEwan Hall near to the Edinburgh Futures Institute and is an expanded version of last year's events, all run in collaboration with Underbelly. Maggie O'Farrell will celebrate 25 years since her first book was published and Ian McEwan will share with audiences his thoughts of past work and what comes next. Movie fans won't want to miss the UK's favourite film critic, Mark Kermode, who brings us the first edition of his energetic MK3D show (a frequent sell-out of the British Film Institute's programme) outside London, previewing upcoming releases and revelling in the Golden Age of Cinema alongside very special guests including Succession patriarch, Brian Cox. No one knows better the pleasure (and, unfortunately, immense pain) of being a dedicated fan of Scotland's national football team than sporting legend Ally McCoist, who visits the festival to discuss Dear Scotland: On the Road with the Tartan Army. And Gavin and Stacey co-creator and writer Ruth Jones lets us into the secrets of her writing craft, and her tender new novel, By Your Side. Jenny Niven, Director and CEO, Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: 'We are thrilled to be returning to the beautiful McEwan Hall, and expanding our partnership with Underbelly to present 14 The Front List events in 2025. 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 what you can expect from this year's Book Festival.' Marina Dixon, Head of Programming, Underbelly, said: 'Underbelly's 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. It's a real joy to be working together again on a programme that feels urgent, alive, and connected to the spirit of the Festival.' Tickets for The Front List events are available at To ensure these events remain accessible in times of great economic pressure, under-30s can purchase tickets at just £14 and £5 tickets are available to those in receipt of governmental income benefits. Full listings for The Front List events: Tues 12 Aug, 13.30 – Ruth Jones Wed 13 Aug, 13.30 – Mark Kermode Thu 14 Aug, 13.30 – Nicola Sturgeon Fri 15 Aug, 13.30 – Maggie O'Farrell [Sponsored by the National Library of Scotland]Sat 16 Aug, 13.30 – Ta-Nehisi Coates [Sponsored by the University of Edinburgh]Sun 17 Aug, 13.30 – Anne Applebaum & Edward Wong [Supported by the Turtleton Charitable Trust]Mon 18 Aug, 13.30 – Ally McCoist [Sponsored by Digby Brown]Tues 19 Aug, 13.30 – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Wed 20 Aug, 13.30 – Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Steven Lenton [Schools Edition] Thu 21 Aug, 13.30 – Laura Bates [Schools Edition]Fri 22 Aug, 13.30 – Yulia Navalnya Sat 23 Aug, 13.30 – Asako Yuzuki Sun 24 Aug, 13.30 – Ian McEwan Sun 24 Aug, 19.30 – R F Kuang All events take place at McEwan Hall, Teviot Place, EH8 9AG. McEwan Hall audience – credit Mihaela Bodlovic Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
21-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Scottish city emerges as hotspot for ‘traveltech' investment
'The application of artificial intelligence across the traveltech landscape is transforming every aspect of how we discover, book and experience travel' Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Edinburgh has emerged as a hotspot for investment into travel technology businesses. According to a new study, the UK 'traveltech' sector is seeing record investment levels, with the Scottish capital emerging as one of the key innovation hubs, underpinned by advances in artificial intelligence (AI). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The comprehensive analysis from Dealroom, the data and analytics platform, commissioned by the Traveltech Innovation Hub at Edinburgh Futures Institute, part of the University of Edinburgh, highlights how the UK has become the third largest traveltech investment destination globally, behind the US and Canada. Callum McPherson, chief executive and founder of Obvlo. The research shows that UK traveltech companies have raised some $1.6 billion (£1.2bn) since 2020 across nearly 300 deals, with 2024 marking a record year as investment topped $518 million - largely driven by AI-powered innovation. Among the deals spotlighted was the $370m secured by London-based Lighthouse in Series C funding in November 2024. The company uses artificial intelligence to optimise hotel pricing and distribution strategies. Also highlighted is Unravel, which just last month secured $7m in Series A funding for its AI-powered video platform that transforms inspirational content into bookable travel experiences. Outside of London, Scotland has been hailed as a major UK traveltech hub, with more than 100 travel technology-related start-ups registered there. One company, Obvlo, recently raised $2m to develop AI solutions for producing and maintaining personalised local content at scale for travel and hotel brands such as Virgin Hotels. Meanwhile, Barcelona-based travel management company TravelPerk recently announced the opening of a new office in Edinburgh. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, the report - the first to examine the UK's traveltech sector in detail - also highlights challenges within the industry, noting that only 6 per cent of traveltech venture capital funding in Europe went to start-ups with a female founder, between 2022 and 2025. Joshua Ryan-Saha, director of the Traveltech Innovation Hub at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, said: 'The findings demonstrate the UK's position as a global leader in travel technology innovation. Edinburgh, with its world-class AI expertise and dedicated innovation ecosystem, is particularly well-placed to drive this sector forward. 'The application of artificial intelligence across the traveltech landscape is transforming every aspect of how we discover, book and experience travel. This is creating significant opportunities for innovative companies, particularly those leveraging Edinburgh's excellence in AI research and development.' Callum McPherson, chief executive and founder of Obvlo, said: 'Scotland offers the perfect combination of talent, world-class universities and robust early-stage investment to develop an exceptional tech ecosystem. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'By focusing on traveltech, we can leverage our strong tourism economy and the presence of established industry leaders to create a launchpad for the global stage. Obvlo is excited to collaborate with the Edinburgh Futures Institute to drive the future of travel technology in Scotland and beyond.'
Glasgow Times
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Launch date for Nicola Sturgeon's memoir revealed
Sturgeon, who is MSP for Glasgow Southside, will launch her memoir Frankly at the festival on August 14. The festival has revealed a line-up for an expanded series, The Front List, between August 12 and August 24, at McEwan Hall, next to the main venue, the Edinburgh Futures Institute. READ NEXT: Wedding kiss restrictions branded 'bizarre' by humanist leader at Covid inquiry Included in the line-up are Maggie O'Farrell and Ian McEwan, and also Gavin And Stacey co-creator and writer, Ruth Jones, who will discuss her new novel, By Your Side. Writers RF Kuang; Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; and Asako Yuzuki, winner of 2024 Waterstones Book of the Year; will also appear, along with Ally McCoist, who will discuss Dear Scotland: On The Road With The Tartan Army. Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late Russian dissident, Alexei Navalny, will offer political insights, along with a-Nehisi Coates, Anne Applebaum, and Edward Wong, diplomatic correspondent at the New York Times. More than 600 events will be announced on June 10, with participants from the United States, Japan, Russia, and Nigeria as well as the UK. READ NEXT: Community braves the rain to celebrate Cherry Blossom Festival A spokesperson said: 'We are thrilled to be launching Frankly, the highly anticipated memoir from Scotland's first female – and longest-serving – first minister, as Nicola Sturgeon shares the story of her journey from shy, working-class child to one of our country's most significant political leaders. 'We're joined by acclaimed and international writers, speaking about their careers and works. The luminous Maggie O'Farrell celebrates 25 years of creativity since her debut publication, and Ian McEwan looks back over his remarkable body of work and forward to what comes next. 'With the Trump administration continuing to unravel the last 70 years of established world order with breathtaking speed, essential political insight comes from The Atlantic columnist and author, Anne Applebaum, and New York Times diplomatic correspondent, Edward Wong, who together take on recent seismic political shifts and explore whether democracy can ever be truly protected. 'Poignantly, Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a Russian prison last year, speaks about her late husband's courageous work, Patriot, and continuing his crucial activism.' Jenny Niven, book festival director and chief executive, said: 'We are thrilled to be returning to the beautiful McEwan Hall, and expanding our partnership with Underbelly to present 14 The Front List events in 2025. '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 Book Festival events.' The Glasgow Times reported last month that Sturgeon has announced she will not seek re-election as an MSP next year bringing an end to a parliamentary career that started with her election to the newly reconvened Scottish Parliament in 1999 as a Glasgow MSP. She became deputy first minister to Alex Salmond in 2007 when the SNP won its first Holyrood election and had been in government ever since until she announced her resignation as first minister in 2023. She served as first minister and SNP leader between 2014 and 2023, overseeing a hugely successful election period at Holyrood and Westminster for the SNP. Sturgeon has been the SNP MSP for Glasgow Southside since 2011 and before that for Govan since 2007. She was a list MSP for the Glasgow region between 1999 and 2007. Tickets for The Front List events go on sale to the public at 10am on Tuesday, May 6 and are available at
STV News
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Sturgeon to launch memoir at Edinburgh International Book Festival
Former first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon will launch her memoir at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. She will launch her memoir, Frankly, at the festival on August 14. The festival has revealed a line-up for an expanded series, The Front List, between August 12 and August 24, at McEwan Hall, next to the main venue, the Edinburgh Futures Institute. Included in the line-up are Maggie O'Farrell and Ian McEwan, and also Gavin And Stacey co-creator and writer, Ruth Jones, who will discuss her new novel, By Your Side. Writers RF Kuang; Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; and Asako Yuzuki, winner of 2024 Waterstones Book of the Year; will also appear, along with Ally McCoist, who will discuss Dear Scotland: On The Road With The Tartan Army. Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late Russian dissident, Alexei Navalny, will offer political insights, along with a-Nehisi Coates, Anne Applebaum, and Edward Wong, diplomatic correspondent at the New York Times. More than 600 events will be announced on June 10, with participants from the United States, Japan, Russia, and Nigeria as well as the UK. A spokesperson said: 'We are thrilled to be launching Frankly, the highly anticipated memoir from Scotland's first female – and longest-serving – first minister, as Nicola Sturgeon shares the story of her journey from shy, working-class child to one of our country's most significant political leaders. 'We're joined by acclaimed and international writers, speaking about their careers and works. The luminous Maggie O'Farrell celebrates 25 years of creativity since her debut publication, and Ian McEwan looks back over his remarkable body of work and forward to what comes next. 'With the Trump administration continuing to unravel the last 70 years of established world order with breathtaking speed, essential political insight comes from The Atlantic columnist and author, Anne Applebaum, and New York Times diplomatic correspondent, Edward Wong, who together take on recent seismic political shifts and explore whether democracy can ever be truly protected. 'Poignantly, Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a Russian prison last year, speaks about her late husband's courageous work, Patriot, and continuing his crucial activism.' Jenny Niven, book festival director and chief executive, said: 'We are thrilled to be returning to the beautiful McEwan Hall, and expanding our partnership with Underbelly to present 14 The Front List events in 2025. '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 Book Festival events.' Tickets for The Front List events go on sale to the public at 10am on Tuesday May 6 and are available at Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Nicola Sturgeon to unveil memoir at Edinburgh International Book Festival
Nicola Sturgeon is to appear in a line up of speakers which also includes Yulia Navalnaya, wife of late Russian dissident Alexei Navalny Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Nicola Sturgeon is to launch her memoir at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. The former First Minister is to appear alongside Yulia Navalnaya, wife of late Russian dissident Alexei Navalny and author Maggie O'Farrell in an expanded series to be held at a venue alongside the main festival in August. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Also unveiled in the line-up are author Ian McEwan, as well as Gavin And Stacey co-creator and writer, Ruth Jones, who will discuss her new novel, By Your Side. Ms Sturgeon will speak about her long-awaited memoir, Frankly, at the festival on 14 August. Last month, she took to Instagram to reveal that the book is to offer an 'open, honest and candid' account of her 'achievements' and 'heartbreaks'. It ha been suggested that the title is a nod to comedian - and close friend of Ms Sturgeon - Janey Godley, who died last year. Ms Godley made comedy voiceover videos of Ms Sturgeon's political briefings during the coronavirus pandemic which featured the phrase 'Frank, get the door'. The expanded series, The Front List, will be held between 12 August and 24 August, at McEwan Hall, near the main venue, the Edinburgh Futures Institute. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Writers RF Kuang, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Asako Yuzuki, the winner of the 2024 Waterstones Book of the Year, will also appear, along with football star Ally McCoist, who will discuss Dear Scotland: On The Road With The Tartan Army. More than 600 events will be announced on June 10, with participants from the United States, Japan, Russia, and Nigeria as well as the UK. A spokesperson said: 'We are thrilled to be launching Frankly, the highly anticipated memoir from Scotland's first female – and longest-serving – first minister, as Nicola Sturgeon shares the story of her journey from shy, working-class child to one of our country's most significant political leaders. Alexei Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya is to appear at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. 'We're joined by acclaimed and international writers, speaking about their careers and works. The luminous Maggie O'Farrell celebrates 25 years of creativity since her debut publication, and Ian McEwan looks back over his remarkable body of work and forward to what comes next. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'With the Trump administration continuing to unravel the last 70 years of established world order with breathtaking speed, essential political insight comes from The Atlantic columnist and author, Anne Applebaum, and New York Times diplomatic correspondent, Edward Wong, who together take on recent seismic political shifts and explore whether democracy can ever be truly protected. 'Poignantly, Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a Russian prison last year, speaks about her late husband's courageous work, Patriot, and continuing his crucial activism.' Jenny Niven, book festival director and chief executive, said: 'We are thrilled to be returning to the beautiful McEwan Hall, and expanding our partnership with Underbelly to present 14 The Front List events in 2025. The cover of Nicola Sturgeon's upcoming memoir | Nicola Sturgeon/Pan Macmillan '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. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad '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 Book Festival events.'
