The “Aye Write” Book Festival Moves Online


Shutterstock / Maglara © festival

The Aye Write book festival will this year deliver a diverse, digital programme of events over two weekends in May (14 May to 16 May and 21 May to 23 May 2021).

Aye Write is Glasgow’s Book Festival and is produced by Glasgow Life, the charity which delivers culture and sport in the city.

The live book festival, usually held in March at the Mitchell Library, was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Now, the 16th edition of Aye Write will take place online, bringing the book festival to audiences across the world.

Early Bird Passes for access to all the events over the two weekends are available until the end of April, at the special price of £40.

The full digital programme consists of more than sixty author talks and discussion panels. These will feature more than a hundred writers from Scotland and around the world, as well as across the cultural spectrum — including stars from stage and screen, politics, current affairs and entertainment.

Highlights

Well-known, award winning names from the world of books will sit alongside new literary talent this year.

A lively blend of entertaining, uplifting and thought-provoking events will provide escapism. Others will reflect on the issues of the day, including mental health and well-being, racism, women’s rights, and ethical travel.

Highlights of this year’s Aye Write include:

  • TV entertainers Robert Webb and Mel Giedroyc;
  • broadcaster and political journalist Andrew Marr about the books that made him;
  • radio and TV presenter Nicky Campbell on his adoption memoir;
  • the Rev. Richard Coles talking about his own experience of grief
  • musician-turned-writer Tracey Thorn (Everything But the Girl) and folk legend Richard Thompson (Fairport Convention);
  • bestselling novelists Maggie O’Farrell and Kate Mosse in conversation;
  • Douglas Stuart (Booker Prize for Shuggie Bain) and Monique Roffey (Costa Book of the Year for The Mermaid of the Black Conch);
  • BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner; historian Niall Ferguson;
  • Lockerbie campaigner Jim Swire talking to Kate Adie and former Labour leader and current Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Ed Miliband.

Tickets are on sale now

Over two thirds of the programme will be live via an accessible, Pay Per View digital platform, with the facility for audiences to be able to ask questions and engage in the talks.

Most of the content will be available online for three weeks after each event. This means you’ll have plenty of time to catch up on anything you missed!

If you’re interested, then don’t delay — tickets are on sale now!

Get the full programme for the event by clicking here.


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Iain McDonald

Iain is Digital Content Editor at the "Friend", making him responsible for managing flow of interesting and entertaining content on the magazine's website and social media channels.