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Daily Record
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Former Castle Douglas school pupil chosen to receive prestigious Edinburgh Award 2025
Ali Bowden will follow in the footsteps of JK Rowling, Sir Chris Hoy and Nicola Benedetti when she receives the accolade. A former Castle Douglas school pupil has been chosen to receive a prestigious award. Ali Bowden, the first director of Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature, will be presented with this year's Edinburgh Award, which recognises people who have made a positive impact on the city and gained national and international recognition for Edinburgh. Previous winners since the award began in 2007 include authors Sir Ian Rankin, JK Rowling and Sir Alexander McCall Smith, violinist Nicola Benedetti, Olympic gold medal winning cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and the late businessman Sir Tom Farmer. Ali, who attended both Castle Douglas Primary and High School, became director of Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature in 2006, following a 10year career in publishing and was in the role for most of its 20-year history, standing down in September last year. Edinburgh became the world's first UNESCO Creative City in 2004 and in the following years Ali helped to welcome new cities of literature as they joined, recruiting others from around the world in a bid to diversify the network. She said: There's no doubt that Edinburgh has stolen my heart, and I've happily spent the last few decades banging the drum for this impressive, bookish, story-filled and ever-changing city. 'I am humbled, honoured and delighted – in equal measure – to be receiving the Edinburgh Award. I know it's only possible because of all the kind souls I've worked with over the years, on projects big and small, locally and internationally. 'All of them equally inspired by Edinburgh, this amazing, and first, City of Literature. Thank you all for doing a bit of hard work when I asked.' The Lord Provost said: 'Ali Bowden is a most deserved recipient of the Edinburgh Award, and I'm really pleased that she has accepted the Civic Awards Committee decision to present it to her. 'Edinburgh blazed a trail when it became the first UNESCO Creative City in 2004 and with Ali at the helm for almost 20 years it has continued to flourish in this position. 'Not only has Ali gone above and beyond to create a diverse and engaging range of projects and programmes to enhance the literary city, she has played a key role in connecting Edinburgh with other literary cities around the world. 'I'd like to congratulate Ali on behalf of the city - we will all benefit from her legacy, which builds on the Capital's rich literary heritage while also bringing reading and literature to new and varied audiences.'
Edinburgh Reporter
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Writers urged to apply for Story Shop places
Writers are encouraged to apply for places on the writer development programme Story Shop run by Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature and the National Library of Scotland before the 20 July deadline. Story Shop began in 2007 and offers authors the opportunity to perform in live storytelling events at the Edinburgh International Festival Bookshop. In 2009 it moved to the Spiegeltent and it has been a launch pad for several writers. It is now coming back in a new format with Story Sessions which will take place during August and emerging writers are urged to apply for a slot. This will link selected authors to the National Library of Scotland's (NLS) Dear Library exhibition sharing their stories about becoming a writer. These will be performed in the National Library's exhibition space where NLS is celebrating the power of books and libraries. The exhibition is named 'Dear Library', after the poem by former Makar Jackie Kay, whose literary archive was acquired by the Library last year. The National Library of Scotland continues its centenary celebrations with a major exhibition celebrating all kinds of libraries, and the books that shaped us. Pic caption: Wester Hailes Librarians & exhibition contributors Jessi Dimmock & Susannah Leake on the library steps Pic Neil Hanna Dr Harriet MacMillan, Director of Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature said:'Story Shop holds a very special place in the heart of many of the city's writers. We thought that our 20th anniversary as the world's first City of Literature was the perfect opportunity to engage with a new cohort of literary talent. Our city has an unparalleled literary heritage, held by the National Library of Scotland; we are so excited to find diverse new voices who will become part of this tradition.' Martha Burns Findlay, Head of Public Programmes at the National Library of Scotland said:'The National Library of Scotland is a home of writers' archives and a treasure trove of stories, so we're delighted to be collaborating with Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature on the upcoming Story Sessions. Our exhibition 'Dear Library' will provide a unique backdrop for this event series. Guest writers will be nestled amongst the books in our pop-up reading room – it's sure to be a memorable experience for all.' Dear Library Story Sessions is a development opportunity and showcase for writers based in Edinburgh that are comfortable performing and sharing the books that have inspired their writing. Produced by Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature, it takes place 12 – 14, and 19 – 21 August, Tues – Thursday, at midday – free and ticketed – in the National Library's exhibition space. Dear Library Story Sessions is ticketed on the Fringe programme online. Submissions for writers to apply close on Sunday 20 July 2025. You can find out more information about the Story Sessions callout and how to submit via the website: The National Library of Scotland continues its centenary celebrations with a major exhibition celebrating all kinds of libraries, and the books that shaped us. Pic caption: Wester Hailes Librarians and exhibition contributors Susannah Leake & Jessi Dimmock read to Jo Stevenson with her son Sonny (aged5) Pic Neil Hanna Like this: Like Related
