Younger audiences
Despite the allure of the iPod, young people in Scotland are taking more interest in the world of books and finding new idols in the form of authors. It is all thanks to Edinburgh’s fame as the literary melting pot. This year, writers from 35 countries came together to discuss international literature trends at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF). ‘We find that the public here are very hungry for ideas and that there’s a great appetite among people to both listen to authors and to come and to talk as well,’ says Catherine Lockerbie, the director of the EIBF, who has run the show for the past six years as its fifth woman director.

Author appeal
The good news is that young people enjoy taking part in literary activities and meeting and rubbing shoulders with big name writers. Half of the festival’s events grab the attention of the young – from school children to teenagers and young adults. Catherine Lockerbie is glad that they find EIBF the perfect place to explore new literature from other parts of the world. Last year 12,780 pupils from 171 schools across Scotland attended 60 author events. ‘The age profile has come down and people between the ages of 25 and 44 are now a very substantial proportion of our audience,’ says Catherine.  

City of Literature
The capital of Scotland has been home to some of the greatest authors, from David Hume to JK Rowling. Edinburgh is the first UNESCO City of Literature and it aims to ‘create an international model for a world-wide network of cities of literature and to develop partnerships with other cities with strong literary profiles and aspirations’. The festival is playing its part and fast becoming the UK’s coolest literary breeding ground. Writers come to the festival unknown and leave as a sensation. In 1997, a certain JK Rowing read from the first Harry Potter book to only 30 children. In 1983, Ian Rankin covered the first book festival as a journalist for a student newspaper.

What is it then that makes Edinburgh such a welcoming destination for writers? According to Catherine, ‘well, maybe it’s something to do with the whisky.’

Manote
November 2006

I like this article. It coincides with young people’s rising demand for reading books. The concept of Edinburgh as a literature city is new to us. - Xiaodan

Truly, Edinburgh won’t let you down ! - April

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