Festival’s biggest-ever on-demand release features Ta-Nehisi Coates, Ben Okri, Judy Murray, Philippe Sands, Linder, Belle and Sebastian’s Stuart Murdoch, and dozens more – all on a donate what you can basis
Edinburgh International Book Festival is releasing 60 more events from its August 2025 programme for global audiences this week on a Donate What You Can basis. Already watched by viewers from 63 countries, ranging from Japan to a potentially very well-connected viewer in Vatican City, the festival has also been building its digital strategy around inclusion throughout the year, with over 100 events streamed into libraries across twelve Scottish local authorities in August alone, all entirely free. Together, these initiatives represent the festival’s most ambitious digital accessibility efforts to date.
The collection, launched at 10am today, brings conversations with some of the world’s leading literary voices to audiences unable to attend in person, from Pulitzer Prize-winner Ta-Nehisi Coates in dialogue with historian David Olusoga, to novelist Ben Okri‘s exploration of heartbreak and renewal, local crime writing duo Ambrose Parry, and culinary icons José Pizarro and Sami Tamimi, among many more.
The Donate What You Can basis ensures financial barriers don’t prevent access to these conversations, while allowing the festival to continue delivering both its August events and year-round community projects, including the recently launched Paper Trails library project.
The release marks a significant expansion of the festival’s digital offering, with these 60 new events bringing the total of on demand events available to view to almost 150, which more accurately reflect the diversity of the Festival’s in-person programme.
Spanning urgent political debates, intimate author conversations, and family programming, highlights include climate justice discussions with Tony Juniper and Friederike Otto, disability rights activism with Rachel Charlton-Dailey, and renowned Belle and Sebastian frontman Stuart Murdoch unveiling his stunning debut novel, Nobody’s Empire.
With the support of Event Scotland, a number of international territories will benefit from dedicated marketing materials to encourage increased global engagement with the Festival’s digital offering.
Jenny Niven, Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “As an international festival, streaming our events around the world during August is a key part of what we do. It’s brilliant to now be able to make that content available all year round, both for international audiences and audiences in other parts of Scotland.
“This is the largest on demand collection we’ve ever released. The depth and range of our programme means even if you did come in August and attended lots of sessions, there will still be an enormous number of insightful and inspiring discussions you might have missed, so it’s a gift that will keep on giving.
“Every donation made to watch these events helps us develop our work as a charity, delivering programmes in communities throughout the year and creating our August festival. We’re very grateful for your support.”
The initiative forms part of the festival’s year-round accessibility strategy, building on its Communities Programme and the Paper Trails library project launched earlier this year.
Rebecca Edser, Head of EventScotland said: “The Edinburgh International Book Festival is a vibrant celebration of literature, and the streaming of selected shows from this year’s programme offers an exciting opportunity for audiences to continue enjoying the festival beyond its August run.
“This online programme not only creates new opportunities for international audiences to engage with Scotland’s vibrant literary scene, but it helps build a sense of connection and curiosity that inspires future travel.
“As part of our diverse portfolio of events and festivals, the Edinburgh International Book Festival plays a key role in helping to drive Scotland’s visitor economy and reinforces our reputation as a world-leading tourism and events destination.”
Among the must-watch events now available:
- Literature meets politics: Tariq Ali on empire and resistance; Booker-shortlisted Madeleine Thien with translator Deepa Bhasthi on the sanctity of language, Ash Sarkar on identity politics
- Genre favourites: Romance authors Bolu Babalola and Beth O’Leary; crime duo Ambrose Parry; bestseller Jenny Colgan (above)
- Poetry and performance: Award-winning poets Raymond Antrobus and Najwan Darwish
- Family programming: “Brilliant Bugs” and mystery-solving with Robin Stevens
- Food and culture: Culinary conversations with José Pizarro and Sami Tamimi; music history with Dylan Jones and Miranda Sawyer
- History: TV historian Dan Jones, Edinburgh writer Kate Foster sheds the city’s women and their stories, and Paul French on Wallis Simpson’s formative period in China
All events are available with captions. You can find the full list HERE.
These events are available on a pay-what-you-can donation basis at https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/look-and-listen/player
