Edinbrugh International Book Festival Announces Its 2016 August Programme

The Book Festival is on:
13-29 August 2016
Tickets go on sale:
8.30am Tuesday 21 June
​

Over 800 writers, poets, illustrators, politicians, journalists, historians, scientists, philosophers and playwrights from 55 countries will come together to energise, inspire and stimulate debate in Charlotte Square Gardens in Edinburgh, in August. Entrance to the gardens is free.

In a press release, Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said 'You could say that the theme of this year’s Festival is ‘Project No Fear’. It’s about encouraging and celebrating the sort of courageous, positive, creative thinking that we desperately need in order to make the world a better place for everyone, rather than just for a privileged few. Novelists, journalists, scientists and poets – writers are the people we always turn to at a time when we need to imagine better. We welcome legendary novelists, prize-winning journalists and life-changing poets, as well as emerging talents whose unforgettable stories will revolutionise our future thinking. All in all, it’s a Festival bursting at the seams with big ideas.'

Bestselling American author, Jonathan Safran Foer travels to Edinburgh to launch his new book, 'Here I am', his first novel in over a decade. Han Kang, author of 'The Vegetarian' and winner of the 2016 Man Booker International Prize, is joined by her translator, Deborah Smith, to discuss the key role of translation in bringing international fiction to an English-speaking audience.

Doyenne of historical fiction Philippa Gregory introduces her new Tudor novel; Eimear McBride launches the follow-up to her award-winning 'A Girl is a Half Formed Thing' and Prue Leith gives a glimpse into the second in her 'Food of Love' series.

Scottish actor Alan Cumming, comedian Stewart Lee and survival expert Ray Mears also offer sneak previews of their brand new books. ​

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown addresses globalisation and the new populism; Mark Thompson, formerly the Director General of the BBC, launches his argument on why the internet and 24 hour news has failed to lead to better democracy; leading German historian Jürgen Osterhammel brings his panoramic history of the 19th century and young Edinburgh entrepreneur Fraser Doherty introduces his guide to setting up a successful business in 48 hours.

The Book Festival continues to champion new talent and its annual First Book Award, now in its seventh year, features 44 debut novelists and short story writers.  There are novels translated into English for the first time from internationally renowned authors including György Spiró, one of Hungary’s most prominent literary figures, Lena Andersson, one of Sweden’s sharpest contemporary analysts, and Agustín Fernández Mallo, a writer and physicist whose novel Nocilla Dream spawned the Nocilla Generation of Spanish authors.  The list also includes some exceptional home-grown talent including Kate Tempest, James Yorkston, Lorna Gibb, Frank Gardner, Harry Parker and Dorothy Alexander.  The winner of the First Book Award is voted for by readers and visitors to the Book Festival and announced in October.

​Full details of the programme can be found at www.edbookfest.co.uk. Tickets to all events go on sale at 8.30am on Tuesday 21 June 2016, online at www.edbookfest.co.uk, by phone on 0845 373 5888 or in person at the Box Office at the Roxburghe Hotel on George Street (on Tuesday 21 June only, thereafter at The Hub, Castlehill).