Edinburgh International Book Festival 2006

12 - 28 August 2006

The 2006 Edinburgh International Book Festival will be held from 12 – 28 August in Charlotte Square Gardens, and as always, the programme is packed with hundreds of events for both adults and children, including many big names. Themes for 2006 are Nations Unlimited, East and West, Society and Politics, Embryos and Ethics, Autism Unveiled, Society and Business, Matters of the Mind and Popular Science. 

 
Photos: Pascal Saez

Over 600 writers will be appearing, including PD James, Alexander McCall Smith, Roddy Doyle, Irvine Welsh, Ian Rankin, Carol Ann Duffy, Quintin Jardine, Ali Smith and Iain Banks. Other names to look out for are Rory Stewart, AL Kennedy, Arnold Wesker, Mark Thomas, Ismail Kadare, James Meek, Mark Haddon and James Robertson. There will be Meet the Author, Fine Fiction and First Fiction events, as well as a variety of genres and topics including crime, lived lives (biography and memoir), travel, comedy, food and drink, media, nature and the environment, theatre and art. 

Children’s programme

The children’s programme has something for all ages, from babies to teenagers. Writers appearing include Eoin Colfer, Jacqueline Wilson, Joan Lingard, Karen McCombie, Julia Donaldson, Debi Gliori and Anne Fine. The 17 day programme of almost 300 children’s events is the largest of its kind in the world.

Each day, there will be a ‘storyteller of the day’ as well as free daily storytelling or poetry in the RBS Imagination Lab. There will be a range of workshops, a free hands-on activity corner and free lunchtime live musical entertainment every Saturday and Sunday in the RBS Imagination Lab.

There is also a fantastic line-up of events for teenagers and young adults, events for teachers and children’s literature events and masterclasses for adults.

Bookcase

The British Council will once again work in partnership with the Scottish Arts Council to showcase contemporary writers at the Book Festival. There will be a wide range of authors and events, including: 

• well-known names in fiction writing: Helen Dunmore, Howard Jacobson, AL Kennedy, David Lodge, Alexander McCall Smith, Bernard MacLaverty, Ali Smith, Sarah Waters and Jeanette Winterson
• a strong selection of poets: Ciaran Carson, Menna Elfyn, Vicki Feaver, David Harsent, John Hegley, Robin Robertson, Hugo Williams
• the playwright Christopher Hampton and actor Simon Callow
• a focus on new Arab literature with a team of four Arab novelists and poets
• three afternoon sessions exclusively for Bookcase participants with writers in conversation, followed by an opportunity to meet the author over tea
• many more events featuring novelists, poets and dramatists representing the four countries of the UK

As well as all the events taking place, there will be two bookshops in Charlotte Square Gardens, and various cafes. The garden is open until late into the evening and there will be live music in the Spiegeltent which is open every evening until late. 

For more information, the programme of events, or to book tickets please visit the Edinburgh International Book Festival website or call 0845 373 5888. 

Education events to look out for Childrens' programme available.  RBS Schools Gala Day – Tuesday 29 August 2006. Contact Karen at Edinburgh International Book Festival if you'd like to talk about authors and events in the schools programme.