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Edinburgh International Book Festival

Celebrating 25 years, the Edinburgh International Book Festival will hold the biggest and most international
program ever. The packed series of literary and political events taking place in Charlotte Square Gardens
this August culminates with a world exclusive: the launch of one of the most eagerly anticipated books for
years, the long-awaited memoirs of Sean Connery, Being a Scot. In the
city of his birth, and on his birthday, Sir Sean will be in discussion with
his co-author, distinguished Scottish film-maker Murray Grigor on the
final day of this year’s book festival.

Sir Sean’s appearance also marks a James Bond presence in this,
the 100th anniversary year of Ian Fleming’s birth. Author and comedian
Charlie Higson will launch the fifth and final episode of his hugely
successful Young Bond series. The authorized biography of Ian
Fleming, For Your Eyes Only, will also be presented.

Running from Aug. 9 to 25, with a record 800 authors participating in
more than 750 events, this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival
welcomes specially invited guests from more than 45 countries, with 200-plus Scottish authors also taking
part. Major literary names include Salman Rushdie, Louis de Bernières, Margaret Atwood, Alan Sillitoe in
his 80th birthday year and Hanif Kureishi. A powerful line-up of politicians, political commentators and
foreign correspondents includes John Prescott, Alex Salmond, Menzies Campbell, Tony Benn, Jonathan
Powell, David Owen, Gavin Esler, Jonathan Dimbleby, Polly Toynbee, Martin Bell, Alan Johnston, Matt Frei
and Kate Adie.

A special 25th anniversary opening event will feature a major public figure revealed in a new light in
conversation with Ian Rankin. The mystery guest will be announced on Aug. 8, the day before the festival
opens.

Special themes include Focus on China, in this Olympic year, bringing the finest writers on and from the
world’s most populous country. To mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of Israel and the fifth
anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, our East and West and War and Terror series bring world experts to
Edinburgh to examine, in depth, relations between the West and the Islamic world.

Catherine Lockerbie said: “I am overjoyed that so many authors, from the most renowned to brand new
writers being heard here for the first time, have accepted our invitation to come and be part of our intricately
constructed 25th anniversary Festival. It is my passion to make this the most international, illuminating,
engaging, argumentative and inspiring celebration of words and ideas anywhere in the world. I hope the
pressing issues and powerful individual voices in this year’s programme reflect that ambition, a fitting one
for Edinburgh, the first UNESCO City of Literature, and the world’s greatest festival city.”

Culture Minister Linda Fabiani said: “The 25th-anniversary Edinburgh International Book Festival is a great
addition to the city’s wider festival programme, which again looks firmly set to be an outstanding, world-
class festival in its own right. The program for this year’s book festival is hugely impressive and I, along
with many thousands of other festival goers, look forward to enjoying what’s sure to be a fantastic series of
events.’’

The adult program is complemented by the RBS Children’s Program, which is packed with events,
workshops and debates for every age group from toddler to teenager.

Founded in 1983, the Edinburgh International Book Festival is the largest festival of its kind in the world.
Under Catherine Lockerbie’s directorship, it has become a platform for audiences to debate with leading
thinkers from the worlds of science, politics, business, economics and journalism as well as literature.

For more information, visit www.edbookfest.co.uk.

Book and Author Spotlights

By Andrea K. Hammer
For the Bulletin

Literary Melting Pot

As a central magnet in the city, the
main branch of the Free Library [in
Philadelphia] is a gathering spot
where residents from every
neighborhood converge. ....READ
MORE

The Authentic Garden

Expert horticulturist Claire Sawyers,
a recent speaker at the Phila-
delphia Flower Show, the Northwest
Flower & Garden Show in Seattle
and the New York Botanical
Garden, draws on her experiences
working in international gardens to
inform her interpretations of
American gardening..... READ
MORE

Learning From the Heart

During a recent talk at the main
branch of the Free Library of
Philadelphia, Daniel Gottlieb - a
psychologist and family therapist
who has hosted "Voices in the
Family" on WHYY 90.9 FM since
1985 - discussed his new book
Learning from the Heart: Lessons on
Living, Loving, and Listening....
READ MORE

Catherine Lockerbie, director

Sara Grady, children and education program director

RBS CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

The RBS Children’s Program of the Edinburgh International
Book Festival has scheduled events, workshops and discussions
for every age-group from toddlers to teenagers. Highlights
include Good Night Mister Tom author Michelle Magorian’s first
book for 10 years and exclusive peeks at new books from Eoin
Colfer, Julia Donaldson, Michael Morpurgo, Andy Stanton and
Jonathan Stroud. James Jauncey’s first book has just been
nominated for the Royal Mail Scottish Children’s Book of the
Year, and he will be reading from his new novel The
Reckoning. Francesca Simon will be joined by the voice of
Horrid Henry - award-winning actress Miranda Richardson.

"Stories from Around the World" brings a strong international
theme to the RBS Children’s Program this year. More than 20
inspiring children’s authors from every continent will be in
attendance. Authors from Hong Kong, Australia, Senegal,
Mexico and Poland will visit Charlotte Square Gardens to share
the literature, fables, myths and folklore of cultures past and
present.

Sara Grady, Director of the RBS Children’s Programme said
“Our 2008 programme for children, teenagers and young
people promises a summer of action, adventure and
exploration. In our 25th year, we are delighted to celebrate a
great tradition of Scottish, British and international children’s
literature and encourage readers of all ages to explore words,
discover stories and experiment with new ideas.

“We have expanded our children’s program to include a vast
array of events for all ages, tastes and talents in 2008.
Insatiable fact finders can join us on a hunt for dinosaurs,
missing treasure, lost civilisations, and explore the natural
world with events on science, maths, history, archaeology,
outer space, magic and more. Our inaugural art and design
strand features some of the greatest illustrators, graphic
novelists and innovative filmmakers working today, while a raft
of new faces in children’s and young adult literature peppered
throughout the programme are ripe for discovery. So join us
this August and celebrate a cornucopia of books, stories, words
and ideas that lift the spirit and open the mind.”