The tents began to go up. There was a specially large pavillion, so big that the tree that grew in the field was right inside it, and stood proudly near one end, at the head of the chief table. Lanterns were hung on all its branches. More promising still (to the hobbits’ mind) : an enormous open-air kitchen was erected in the north corner of the field. A draught of cooks, from every inn and eating-house for miles around, arrived to supplement the dwarves and other odd folk that were quartered at Bag End. Excitement rose to its height (…) The fireworks were by Gandalf : they were not only brought by him, but designed and made by him ; and the special effects, set pieces, and flights of rockets were let off by him. But there was also a generous distribution of squibs, crackers, backarappers, sparklers, torches, dwarf-candles, elf-fountains, goblin-barkers and thunder-claps. There were all superb. The art of Gandalf improved with age. (J.R.R. Tolkien – The Fellowship of the Ring 1954 – Book One Chapter 1 A Long-expected Party)
“Above all, a good Festival should be festive “
(Adrian Turpin Wigtown Book Festival Director)
Edinburgh Fringe Festival - 2007
Edinburgh Fringe Festival - 2007
Scottish people seem to be particularly gifted to organize festivities and to live it up with everybody ! In Scotland, you will be invited to participate in these events in the most cheerful way ! We’ve tasted it, in our last journey, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival !
The growing number and influence of the Scottish festivals testify to the cultural dynamism of the country. Among them the literary festivals seem to have the wind in their sails. In recent years they have been multiplying all over Scotland contributing to a better knowledge of Scottish authors and fostering reading and writing. They have also had a very important economic impact on the host towns. Here are some of them.
Edinburgh International Book Festival-Charlotte Square-Photo by Tim Duncan–Source Wikipedia
– The Edinburgh International Book Festival, which takes place in the last three weeks of August every year in the midst of the general Edinburgh Festival. It originally took place in a tent in Edinburgh in 1983 and has been followed by a number of fringe events over the years.
– The Edinburgh Book Fringe, which holds its events at the Word Power bookshop.
– The West Port Book Festival
Glasgow 2005 Aye Write Book Festival
– The Aye Write! Bank of Scotland Book Festival in Glasgow
Aberdeen Wordfringe Festival 2009
– The Wordfringe, Festival of New Writing in Aberdeen and North-East Scotland
University of Aberdeen Writers' Festival 2009
– The University of Aberdeen Writers’ Festival
The Islay Book Festival
-The Islay Book Festival
And last but not least the Wigtown Book Festival which is the one which interests us presently.
Wigtown Book Festival
Given the quality and variety of events listed in the beautifully illustrated programme of the new Wigtown Book Festival, no doubt 2009 is going to be a vintage year and they must be very busy there since the Festival opens at the end of the week !
Just have a glimpse at last year cheerful atmosphere…
Stay tuned for Scotiana’s top choices from the 2009 Festival Program. A virtual itinerary of our own !
A bientôt!
Mairiuna and Janice writing from Bordeaux, France.
Leave a Reply