Book Week Scotland kicks off today (Monday 14 November) with a line-up themed around ‘Scotland’s Stories’, as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, has worked closely with writers and partners to put together an exciting week packed full of online and in-person events and activities.
Book Week Scotland is the country’s biggest celebration of books and reading and this year the public are invited to vote on their favourite animal from fiction – voting will close at midnight tonight, with the winner to be revealed during the week!
Continuing the animal theme, one lucky pet-owner will win a special illustration of their pet by top illustrator Esther Kent through a #BookWeekScotlandPets competition on social media.
Events throughout the week include an evening with Sally Magnusson sharing stories from four vibrant Scottish communities, and Book Shriek Scotland – a celebration of Scotland’s folklore presented by Kirsty Logan and Heather Parry, featuring storytellers and writers including Garth Marenghi.
Scottish Book Trust are also asking people to share what they’re reading this Book Week Scotland on the Reading Map of Scotland.
A new book, Scotland’s Stories, has been released today by Scottish Book Trust, featuring true stories from people across Scotland as well as exclusive contributions from published writers Angus Peter Campbell, Raman Mundair, Graeme Armstrong and Helen Fields.
70,000 copies of the book will be given out for free this week in libraries and community spaces. Digital copies, including an audio version, are also available.
From icons of literature to local tales, Scotland’s Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present.
Book Week Scotland programme highlights:
Scotland’s Stories: Tales from the People of Scotland with Sally Magnusson – Monday 14 November, 7pm at Glasgow Film Theatre and livestreamed online. Join Sally Magnusson to celebrate the real-life stories told by people from four vibrant communities across Scotland. The wonderful pieces in this event have been generously shared by people from the Garnock Valley, Port Glasgow and Greenock, Lochgelly and the South Islands of the Western Isles. Each story was shared by a member of the public as part of Community Campfires, supported by Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.
Book Shriek Scotland is a celebration of Scotland’s spooky folklore – and some from further afield. This is an online event premiering today, Monday 14 November, in which award-winning authors Heather Parry and Kirsty Logan present an anthology of folk tales told by storytellers and writers, including Garth Marenghi, Amanda Thomson, Ailsa Dixon, John Lees and Anna Cheung. We’ll be inviting people to send us folk tales from their hometowns on social media after the event.
The Hidden Case of Ewan Forbes with Professor Zoë Playdon – Monday 14 November, 7–8.30pm at the Sir Duncan Rice Library (University of Aberdeen). Academic and activist Zoë Playdon will talk about her book The Hidden Case of Ewan Forbes – a true local story with international resonance – and the extraordinary court case that took place in the 1960s.
Story Café with Alasdair Gray – Tuesday 15 November, 6–7.30pm at Central Library, Dundee. Join us to discuss the short fiction of one of our finest writers, Alasdair Gray – author of Lanark. Spanning satire, dreams of possibility, and dystopian futures, and with diverse influences from Maupassant to Chekhov, the stories display rich imagination and a storyteller’s artistry.
Treasure Your History; History: Your Treasure – Wednesday 16 November, 2–3pm at Edinburgh Central Library. Librarian Iain Duffus twill show some of the rare gems the library holds (like the first Bible printed in Edinburgh, and early editions of Burns) in this specially arranged visit during which there will be the chance to explore the awesome book stacks, see some of Scotland’s first newspapers from the eighteenth century, and browse selected local items laid out to enjoy.
Author talk: Maggie O’Farrell – Wednesday 16 November, 7.30–8.30pm at Biggar Library. Maggie O’Farrell, prize-winning author of Hamnet and The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, will be coming along to Biggar Library to talk about her work.
Author talk: Stuart MacBride – Thursday 17 November, 7.30–8.30pm at Loch Leven Community Library. Number one Sunday Times bestselling crime writer Stuart MacBride will talk all things crime and share his latest book, No Less The Devil.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘Book Week Scotland is a special time of year, where people across Scotland can come together to celebrate and experience the magic of books and reading.
“The 2022 programme features a mix of fun, spooky, inspiring and unusual events and activities. This year’s Book Week Scotland forms part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022, celebrating Scotland’s rich culture of telling stories. We hope you’ll be able to join in with a Book Week Scotland event in your community, or one of the many ways to take part online.’
Sally Magnusson, broadcaster and writer, said:‘I am delighted to be hosting ‘Scotland’s Stories: Tales from the People of Scotland’ during Book Week Scotland because this special event celebrates the stories that remind us who we are, that connect us to our families and our communities and that enable us to share the challenges and the joys of life with one another.
“Showcasing the extraordinary stories from ordinary people at the Glasgow Film Theatre is a great way to round off Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.’
Alan Bett, Head of Literature and Publishing at Creative Scotland, said:‘Book Week Scotland is upon us with an imaginative and inspiring programme to excite, intrigue and surprise.
‘This high-profile national focus on literature brings readers together to engage with stories and meet their favourite authors.
‘In particular this year’s connection with the Year of Stories allows our folklore and rich heritage to be viewed and enjoyed through contemporary voices.’
Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive of the Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC), said:‘Book Week Scotland is a terrific opportunity to celebrate everything that is great about books, reading and bringing together people, families, and communities to explore and revel in the power of words and shared stories. Libraries across Scotland have great programmes lined up during Book Week Scotland.
‘Research shows that reading for just six minutes a day can reduce stress levels by up to 68 per cent in people of all ages, and with our libraries across Scotland filled with an abundance of free reading materials – whatever your interests and ability – we hope people will take the opportunity to use Book Week Scotland to start or get back to enjoying books and at the same time rediscover the enchanting world of the many brilliant libraries right on their doorstep.’
Neil Gray MSP, Minister for Culture, said:‘Book Week Scotland’s theme around Scotland’s Year of Stories continues our celebration of innovative and ground-breaking forms of storytelling. This has been a bumper year for new and untold stories from people in communities across Scotland.
‘There has never been a better time to enjoy a good story and this week’s events will also highlight the wealth of emerging and forward-looking writing and storytelling talent we have on our doorsteps.’
This year’s Book Week Scotland programme has been announced today (26 October), with a line-up themed around ‘Scotland’s Stories’, as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, has worked closely with writers and partners to put together an exciting week packed full of online and in-person events and activities, taking place 14–20 November.
Book Week Scotland is the country’s biggest celebration of books and reading and this 1year the public are invited to vote on their favourite animal from fiction – voting is now open, and a national winner will be revealed during the week!
Events throughout the week include an evening with Sally Magnusson sharing stories from four vibrant Scottish communities, and Book Shriek Scotland – a celebration of Scotland’s folklore presented by Kirsty Logan and Heather Parry, featuring storytellers and writers including Garth Marenghi.
Scottish Book Trust will also be asking people to share what they’re reading during the week on a Reading Map of Scotland.
A new book, Scotland’s Stories, has been published by Scottish Book Trust, featuring true stories from people across Scotland as well as exclusive contributions from published writers Angus Peter Campbell, Raman Mundair, Graeme Armstrong and Helen Fields.
70,000 copies of the book will be given out for free during Book Week Scotland through libraries and community spaces, and it will also be available to read online and as an audiobook.
From icons of literature to local tales, Scotland’s Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present.
Book Week Scotland programme highlights:
Scotland’s Stories: Tales from the People of Scotland with Sally Magnusson – Monday 14 November, 7pm at Glasgow Film Theatre. Join Sally Magnusson to celebrate the real-life stories told by people from four vibrant communities across Scotland. The wonderful pieces in this event have been generously shared by people from the Garnock Valley, Port Glasgow and Greenock, Lochgelly and the South Islands of the Western Isles. Each story was shared by a member of the public as part of Community Campfires, supported by Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022. Reserve your ticket on Eventbrite.
Book Shriek Scotland is a celebration of Scotland’s spooky folklore –and some from further afield. This is an online event premiering on Monday 14 November, in which award-winning authors Heather Parry and Kirsty Logan present an anthology of folk tales told by storytellers and writers, including Garth Marenghi, Amanda Thomson, Ailsa Dixon, John Lees and Anna Cheung. We’ll be inviting people to send us folk tales from their hometowns on social media after the event.
Tales Fae Fife: a writing workshop with James Oswald – Tuesday 15 November, 6.30–8.30pm at 58 Bonnygate in Cupar. Join Fife author James Oswald, author of the Inspector McLean, The Ballad of Sir Benfro and the Constance Fairchild series, for an exciting event that will include a mini writing workshop. Find out more and reserve your ticket on Eventbrite.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “Book Week Scotland is a special time of year, where people across Scotland can come together to celebrate and experience the magic of books and reading.
“The 2022 programme features a mix of fun, spooky, inspiring and unusual events and activities. This year’s Book Week Scotland forms part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022, celebrating Scotland’s rich culture of telling stories. We hope you’ll be able to join in with a Book Week Scotland event in your community, or one of the many ways to take part online.”
Sally Magnusson, broadcaster and writer, said:“I am delighted to be hosting ‘Scotland’s Stories: Tales from the People of Scotland’ during Book Week Scotland because this special event celebrates the stories that remind us who we are, that connect us to our families and our communities and that enable us to share the challenges and the joys of life with one another.
“Showcasing the extraordinary stories from ordinary people at the Glasgow Film Theatre is a great way to round off Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.”
Alan Bett, Head of Literature and Publishing at Creative Scotland, said:‘Book Week Scotland is upon us with an imaginative and inspiring programme to excite, intrigue and surprise.
‘This high-profile national focus on literature brings readers together to engage with stories and meet their favourite authors.
‘In particular this year’s connection with the Year of Stories allows our folklore and rich heritage to be viewed and enjoyed through contemporary voices.’
Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive of the Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC), said:“Book Week Scotland is a terrific opportunity to celebrate everything that is great about books, reading and bringing together people, families, and communities to explore and revel in the power of words and shared stories. Libraries across Scotland have great programmes lined up during Book Week Scotland.
‘Research shows that reading for just six minutes a day can reduce stress levels by up to 68 per cent in people of all ages, and with our libraries across Scotland filled with an abundance of free reading materials – whatever your interests and ability – we hope people will take the opportunity to use Book Week Scotland to start or get back to enjoying books and at the same time rediscover the enchanting world of the many brilliant libraries right on their doorstep.’
Neil Gray MSP, Minister for Culture, said: “Book Week Scotland’s theme around Scotland’s Year of Stories continues our celebration of innovative and ground-breaking forms of storytelling. This has been a bumper year for new and untold stories from people in communities across Scotland.
“There has never been a better time to enjoy a good story and this week’s events will also highlight the wealth of emerging and forward-looking writing and storytelling talent we have on our doorsteps.”
Edinburgh Community Food are offering a free Eat Well for Oral Health cooking, nutrition and oral health 8 week programme starting at Dr Bell’s Family Centre on Thursday 25th August for families living in the Leith area with a child under 5.
They will also be offering this programme at Pilton Community Health Project from 20th September.
To book your place or to find out more, contact Jo at:
120 shows make up The Stand’s 2022 programme across Stand 1 (5 York Place), Stand 2 (16 N St Andrew St) & The Stand’s New Town Theatre (96 George St)
We may be world-famous for our stand-up, but that doesn’t mean The Stand is a one-trick pony. Several spoken-word mainstays such as ‘The Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas’ and ‘In Conversation With’ are back thanks to our partnership with Fair Pley, but there’s also brand new shows from comrades Jeremy Corbyn & Len McCluskey, legendary actor David Hayman, former Makar Liz Lochhead and much more …
An ongoing series of intimate conversations with some of the country’s biggest names, including Jeremy Corbyn MP, Ian Rankin, Darren McGarvey, David Hayman, Val McDermid, and now – a last minute addition – our First Minister Nicola Sturgeon! £12.50 – £15
Are you brave enough to challenge your own preconceptions and opinions on hot-button issues? Susan Morrison introduces a different academic speaker every day. £11
Are you brave enough to challenge your own preconceptions and opinions on hot-button issues? Susan Morrison introduces a different academic speaker every day. £11
Jeremy Corbyn is joined by his friend and comrade Len McCluskey for a unique event. No strangers to controversy; their love of poetry is the softer counterpoint to their firm political beliefs. One night only. £12
What does it really mean to be working class? A blend of theatre, stand-up and spoken word from critically acclaimed writer and performer Kevin P Gilday. £12
Mark Billingham, Val McDermid, Chris Brookmyre, Luca Veste, Doug Johnstone and Stuart Neville switch out pens for guitars. Murder on the dancefloor is guaranteed …
Edinburgh Art Festival (EAF) is the platform for the visual arts at the heart of Edinburgh’s August Festivals, which celebrate their 75th anniversary season this year
Many exhibitions and events are free to attend
Taking place across the city, and on the Union Canal from the Lochrin Basin to Wester Hailes
Commissions are inspired by the theme of ‘The Wave of Translation’, marking the 200th anniversary of the Union Canal
New commissions from Jeanne van Heeswijk, Nadia Myre and Pester and Rossi
Associate Artist Emmie McLuskey programmes new work by Hannan Jones, Janice Parker, Maeve Redmond and Amanda Thomson
Four early career visual artists based in Scotland will take part in Platform: 2022 – Saoirse Amira Anis, Emelia Kerr Beale, Lynsey MacKenzie, Jonny Walker
Partner led highlights include: retrospectives of work by Barbara Hepworth and Alan Davie, a rare Scottish showing of work by Ishiuchi Miyako and new work by Cooking Sections and Sakiya, Tracey Emin, Daniel Silver, Ashanti Harris, Kirsten Coelho, Studio Lenca, Ruth Ewan, and Celine Condorelli
Over 100 artists in 35 exhibitions.
Edinburgh Art Festival has announces the programme for its 18th edition – including three major commissions, the Associate Artist programme, Platform: 2022, the festival’s annual showcase of early career visual artists, and thirty-five exhibitions across its partner galleries.
A city-wide celebration of the very best in visual art, the festival brings together the capital’s leading galleries, museums and established spaces. From photography documenting Frida Kahlo’s wardrobe to carnival-inspired performance art, the programme features international artists alongside exciting new voices from Scotland, the rest of the UK and beyond.
The festival’s Commissions programme including their Associate Artist programme supports renowned artists to create ambitious new work. Marking the 200th anniversary of the Union Canal, the programme takes inspiration from ‘The Wave of Translation’ – a scientific phenomenon discovered in Edinburgh.
In 1834, engineer John Scott Russell watched as a horse-drawn canal boat came to a stop at Hermiston on the Union Canal. This abrupt stop created a single wave which continued along the waterway holding its shape and speed. Russell’s recording and research of this phenomenon influenced the development of modern fibre optic technology. He described the wave as his ‘first chance encounter with that singular and beautiful phenomenon which I have called the Wave of Translation’.
The programmes unfold along the Union Canal, from the Lochrin Basin to Wester Hailes. In collaboration with local residents and WHALE Arts, Edinburgh Art Festival has been supporting new opportunities for art creation and learning since 2019.
For the festival, we present a major commission with a group of residents from Wester Hailes and local surrounding areas. The Community Wellbeing Collective present Watch this Space – a space for all to develop together and to experience what community wellbeing is and could be.
Throughout the festival the space will host activities and gatherings led by C.W.C. members, alongside weekend anchor events by invited guests expanding upon the context of community wellbeing, discussing its wider politics in relation to: democratising social care, healing through creativity, who wellbeing is for in an unequal world and collectively imagining the future of community.
Anchor events by Care and Support Workers ORGANISE!, Grass Roots Remedies, Jess Haygarth, The Spit it Out Project, and more.
The activity will take place in Westside Plaza and online at watchthisspace.online (live from 28 July), including short films capturing the essence of the project presented at the French Institute for Scotland and online. Follow @communitywellbeingcollective on Instagram for more.
Jeanne van Heeswijk – a renowned a visual artist who initiated the project – will also present this year’s Keynote Lecture – in partnership with the National Galleries of Scotland and British Council Scotland – as a highlight of the festival’s opening weekend.
The commission is supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Finding Buoyancy is produced through collaboration with groups and individuals in Wester Hailes, alongside Glasgow based artists Pester and Rossi. Exploring ways that we can connect to the natural environment to help us stay buoyant in uncertain times, the project began with a guided audio journey called Finding Buoyancy –Sound Meditations(2021) inviting group members from WHALE Arts to creatively share responses to the canal.
For the festival, three elements anchor the commission – a set of publicly sited sails at Bridge 8 Hub and Paddle Café illustrating the voices and ideas of those living, working and playing on the canal; a community raft (Float For The Future ) made collaboratively with artist Sarah Kenchington; and a canal-based performance produced with local people in collaboration with Rhubaba Choir.
Co-commissioned by Edinburgh Art Festival and Edinburgh Printmakers, Montreal-based First Nations artist Nadia Myre will present Tell Me of Your Boats and Your Waters – Where Do They Come From, Where Do They Go? .
Across print, performance and sound, Myre explores reference points spanning Scotland and Canada, migratory routes starting on the canal, indigenous storytelling, archival research methods, pattern, prose and song lyrics. The work, which will be sited alongside the canal and in Gallery 2 at Edinburgh Printmakers, brings to the fore the decolonial impulse inherent in the artist’s practice.
This year’s Associate Artist, Emmie McLuskey, will lead a programme of artists to respond to the rich site of the Union Canal between Lochrin Basin and Wester Hailes, in a series of commissions that explore environment, translation and gentrification. The Glasgow-based artist, producer and writer has developed a programme of newly commissioned work which spans performance, sound, graphic design and dance. The invited artists aim to raise questions around history, land, water, trade, capitalism and redundant technology.
Each of the commissioned artists centres people and place within a deep desire to work responsively to site. Hannan Jones explores language, rhythm and origin in response to cultural and social migration through sound, installation, film and performance. Janice Parker’s work in choreography and dance is collaborative with people, place and context. Parker is known for her socially engaged practice across various art forms and media.
Amanda Thomson’s interdisciplinary work often concerns notions of home, movement, migration, landscapes, the natural world and how places come to be made. Designer Maeve Redmond’s research-led practice begins in the archive and attempts to unpack how the wider context of site informs how we aesthetically experience a place.
A print and radio project entitled Background Noise will accompany this series, featuring local and international contributions.
The Associate Artist programme will take place along the Union Canal and online, with further details to be announced.
At the French Institute for Scotland – the festival’s headquarters on the Royal Mile – Platform: 2022 will showcase another exciting cohort of emerging visual artists working in Scotland. This year, the annual showcase has been selected by artist Lucy Skaer researcher and curator Seán Elder, alongside Director of Dundee Contemporary Arts, Beth Bate.
In Saoirse Amira Anis’ (graduated Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, 2018) video and textile installation, she taps into her dual heritage by using materials and plants from Moroccan and Scottish cuisines to explore rituals of sharing, and the generosity of love provided by the hands.
Emelia Kerr Beale (Edinburgh College of Art, 2019) will take the speculative history of The Major Oak Tree as their starting point, as a metaphor for the ways in which disabled people are denied rights to speak as experts about their conditions.
Engaging with the materiality and physicality of paintings as objects, Lynsey MacKenzie (Glasgow School of Art, 2019) explores ideas of time, repetition, and memory, through shifting planes of colour, gesture, and scale. Jonny Walker (Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, 2017) considers impermanence and the body through the making of several lambs, placed across a large metal, patchwork blanket in varying states of erosion and collapse.
Platform: 2022 runs at the French Institute for Scotland from 28 July to 28 August.
Closing the festival, sculptor and contemporary artist Hew Locke will deliver the Endnote Lecture.
Locke’s Duveen Hall commission for Tate Britain, The Procession, opened in March this year, and in September 2022 his work Gilt will be unveiled as the Façade Commission for The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
He will be in conversation with Dr Maryam Ohadi-Hamadani, Department of Art History, University of Edinburgh at St Cecilia’s Hall. The Endnote Lecture is presented in partnership with British Council Scotland.
Our Commissions programme and Platform: 2022 are made possible thanks to the generous support of the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund; EventScotland; and the PLACE Programme, a partnership between the Scottish Government, the City of Edinburgh Council, and the Edinburgh Festivals, supported and administered by Creative Scotland.
Watch this Space is additionally supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Platform: 2022 is additionally supported by Cruden and the L’Institut français d’Écosse.
Across the partner programme, the festival celebrates artists and collectives who paved the way for new ideas and looks towards future voices in the visual arts.
A number of major new commissions and exhibitions open with the festival. Representing Japan at the 2005 Venice Biennale, Ishiuchi Miyako (Stills, 29 July – 8 October) will present her first solo show of photography in Scotland. Ashanti Harris interlaces ideas of community and cultural identity with her research and long personal experience of West Indian Carnivals (Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, 28 July – 28 August).
Visitors can journey across the Lammermuir Hills and see the marked traces of human presence in work from Barbara Rae (Open Eye Gallery, 2 – 27 August), and see the changing Clyde-valley landscapes of Duncan Shanks, which chart the constant cycle of loss and renewal, observed in his riverside garden (The Scottish Gallery, 29 July – 27 August).
Celebrating its 180th birthday in 2022, The Scottish Gallery also presents work rooted in art history by Australian ceramicist Kirsten Coelho (29 July – 27 August). The textural works of Rosa Lee, Shelagh Wakely and Barbara Levittoux-Świderska are brought together during the festival (Arusha, 29 July – 29 August).
Tessa Lynch considers feminist readings of the city in ‘expanded print’, which promotes alternative building techniques inspired by play and the natural world (Edinburgh Printmakers, 28 July – 18 September).
Influenced by the landscapes of the North American prairies, a series of abstract works by John McLean bring rhythmic expressions in paint to the festival (The Fine Art Society, 22 July – 27 August). New work by graduating students also takes place in Summer at ECA, showcasing work from the schools of Art, Design and Architecture and Landscape Architecture (Edinburgh College of Art, 19 – 26 August).
Opening during the festival, we abandon the microscope with Luke Jerram’s 90ft inflatable sculpture fruit titled E.coli, which is 5 million times bigger than the actual bacteria (National Museum of Scotland, 3 – 31 August).
In major surveys and premieres, Tracey Emin will present her second ever solo show in Scotland since 2008, featuring the unveiling of a large bronze sculpture, paintings and drawings (Jupiter Artland, 28 May – 2 October).
The first Scottish solo show from London-based artist Daniel Silver highlights the artist’s shift to working in clay with colourful totems, figures and busts(Fruitmarket, 11 June – 25 September). Studio Lenca presentsa series which confronts the complex cultural history of their native El Salvador (Sierra Metro, 25 June – 28 August).
The first major survey of Céline Condorelli in the UK will take place bringing the outdoors into the gallery space (Talbot Rice Gallery, 25 June – 1 October). Monumental canvases rich in colour and detail are presented in Thoughts, meals, days by Glasgow based artist Lorna Robertson (Ingleby, 25 June – 17 September). Audiences can also become absorbed in the UK premiere of Yan Wang Preston’s work, which charts the changing life of a love-heart-shaped rhododendron bush (Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Saturday 14 May – Sunday 28 August).
Movements and moments in both art and time feature in the festival. Audiences can experience the power of Raphael’s work, reimagined in VR and contemporary tapestry (Dovecot Studios, 1 July – 24 September). Visitors to Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life can see how anatomical art and illustration shaped knowledge of the human body (National Museum of Scotland, 2 July – 30 October).
Twentieth-century marvels from a group of prominent Scottish artists are revealed in National Treasure: The Scottish Modern Arts Association (City Art Centre, 21 May – 16 October), whilst the ambitions and morality of Andrew Carnegie are questioned in animation and archival presentation by Ruth Ewan (Collective, 25 June – 18 September).
The current mood of the country is closely captured by photographers working in Scotland in Counted: Scotland’s Census 2022(Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 12 March – 25 September).
Collectors and collectionsare considered during the festival. Audiences can wonder at historic Masterpieces from Buckingham Palace, which features work from Rembrandt and Artemisia Gentileschi (The Queen’s Gallery, 25 March – 25 September). Modern French art and the early collectors of the Impressionists are explored in A Taste for Impressionism (Royal Scottish Academy, 30 July – 30 November).
Recent acquisitions by the National Galleries of Scotland in New Arrivals: From Salvador Dalí to Jenny Saville (Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Modern 1, until Spring 2023). Refreshed for the festival, the exhibition includes a new acquisition by acclaimed American artist, Amie Siegel.
In retrospectives, shows highlighting the influence of distinguished international artists are celebrated. The life and legacy of painter, jeweller, polymath and jazz musician Alan Davie are explored in a major centenary exhibition (Dovecot Studios, 24 June – 24 September).
ScotlandÕs largest ever Barbara Hepworth exhibition to open at Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life – 9 April 2022 Ð 2 October 2022
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern Two)
Leila Riszko (Assistant Curator at the National Galleries of Scotland admires the artwork Two Forms in Echelon, 1961, Bronze
Neil Hanna Photography
www.neilhannaphotography.co.uk
07702 246823
Barbara Hepworth’s life work comes into focus in an exhibition brought to Edinburgh with The Hepworth Wakefield, Tate St Ives and National Galleries of Scotland (Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Modern 2, 9 April – 2 October).
Scottish artist Will Maclean’s work is brought together – his work rooted in the history, archaeology and literature of the Scottish Highlands (City Art Centre, 4 June – 2 October). The works of Scottish artist, writer and poet Maud Sulter act as inspiration for a new publication as part of a wider ecology of projects (Rhubaba, across the festival).
The Modern Institute also presents work by American poet and artist John Giorno (1934 – 2019) alongside contemporary pieces from quilt collective Arrange Whatever Pieces Come Your Way and artists Julia Chiang and Marc Hundley (Dovecot Studios, 8 July – 17 September).
Themes around ecologies and the environment are central to the 2022 partner programme. Turner Prize nominees Cooking Sections, in collaboration with Sakiya,look at the history of land struggles in Scotland and Palestine within a wider global dialogue, highlighting how alliances between humans and plants can also enhance new collective horizons. (Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 2 July – 18 September).
Calum Craik navigates debris and holiday rental accommodation through a sculptural stage (Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, 10 June – 28 August). Camara Taylor brings further focus to Scottish waterways through new video and mixed media work, recomposed from the sighs and groans of a sinking kingdom, rooted in ideas of silt, slop and snap (Collective, 17 June – 4 September).
The result of a three-year commission, Annette Krauss explores Calton Hill as a site held in the ‘common good’, through a research resource presented online and at the City Observatory Library (Collective, 1 June – 4 September).
Jane Connarty, Programme Manager at Edinburgh Art Festival, said:“As Edinburgh marks 75 years of festival culture, we are proud to collaborate with our partners across the city to present the 18th edition of Edinburgh Art Festival, and are delighted to welcome to the city our new Director, Kim McAleese.
“A celebration of the unique ecology of visual arts in our city, our 2022 programme brings together independent galleries, world class collections, and production spaces across the city to present the work of more than 100 artists from around the world.
“The 2022 Commissions Programme invites artists and audiences to explore the site and histories of the Union Canal and includes two artists projects in Wester Hailes on the west of the city – both developed from close working and co-production with local residents.”
Amanda Catto, Head of Visual Arts, Creative Scotland said: “The Edinburgh Art Festival is a highlight of Scotland’s cultural calendar and always a joy to experience. This year is no exception with the festival bringing together an amazing array of art and artists in a really rich and dynamic programme.
“We’re especially excited to see the festival working with communities in Wester Hailes to create new work celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Union Canal. It’s a really tremendous opportunity for people to discover more about the canal’s histories and to re-imagine its future.
“We wish all the artists and partners well as they begin the final countdown to the festival and we look forward to exploring the great range of exhibitions and events taking place across the city this summer”.
Joan Parr, Service Director for Culture and Wellbeing at the City of Edinburgh Council, said:“I’m very excited about this year’s programme and look forward to the full return of artists from all over Scotland and the world showcasing their work in Edinburgh’s art galleries and unusual exhibition spaces.
“The Capital has a long history of promoting the value of culture and as we mark the 75th year of our August Festival’s, the EAF’s programme of 34 exhibitions will celebrate contemporary art across our ancient city.
“I’m delighted the Council is yet again able to support this year’s innovative festival. We’re also proud to host two exhibitions in our City Art Centre. With National Treasure: The Scottish Modern Arts Association, visitors can discover the story of this pioneering 20th century organisation and the outstanding collection it created.
“And Will Maclean: Points of Departure, provides a fresh insight into one of the most outstanding artists of his generation with many pieces going on public display for the first time.”
For more information, please visit www.edinburghartfestival.com or follow the Festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @EdArtFest #EdArtFest
· Kate Mosse, Annie Garthwaite, Shon Faye, William Sieghart, A. M. Dassu, Sarah Winman, Jayson Reynolds, Joanna Cannon, Melvyn Bragg and more to join bookshop celebrations
· 50th anniversary festivities, the first IBW BookTok tour, cooking demonstrations, translation discussions, eco bag-making sessions, Bookshop.org events and much more
· New indie twinning between Topping & Fitzcarraldo, Bookhaus & Charco Press, Books on the Hill & VERVE Books, Gloucester Road Books & Little Toller among others
18 – 25 June 2022
The Booksellers Association (BA) is delighted to announce additional events and bookshop openings ahead of this year’s Independent Bookshop Week, the annual celebration of independent bookshops in the UK and Ireland taking place between 18-25 June 2022 and with Hachette as the headline sponsor.
L-R: A. M. Dassu; the inaugural IBW BookTok Tour; Kate Mosse; Sheryl Shurville from Chorleywood Bookshop
A cohort of new independent bookshops will be ready to welcome new customers across the UK, opening just in time for Independent Bookshop Week or moving into new premises ahead of the week.
New indies include:
· The Book Hive will be opening their doors during IBW in Aylsham, North Norfolk
· Imagined Things in Harrogate have just opened their new premises on Saturday 4 June
· Night Owl are a newly opened indie in East Linton, Scotland
· Bert’s Books have recently opened their doors in Swindon
· Book Bodega have recently opened in Ramsgate, Kent
· The Manga Crate is a specialist bookshop that opened this spring in Telford, Shropshire
Independent booksellers up and down the country have been busy organising a huge range of activities to celebrate Independent Bookshop Week, from 50th anniversary celebrations to poetry showcases and cooking demonstrations, and from events in atmospheric local churches to Jane Austen-themed parties and eco-bag making sessions.
The line-up for IBW 2022 includes:
BOOKSHOP EVENTS
· Chorleywood Bookshop will be celebrating their 50th anniversary as well as IBW with a packed week of events, including: an evening with Rev Richard Coles to discuss his new book Murder Before Evensong on Monday 20 June; an evening with best-selling writer and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, talking about his captivating memoir, Back in the Day on Wednesday 22 June; best-selling crime writer, actor and comedian Mark Billingham will be bookseller for a day on Friday 24 June, and much more. More info here.
· Authors and bookshop lovers Liz Fenwick and Brigid Coady will be setting up in their annual bookshop crawl with the Romantic Novelists Association, visiting indie bookshops including: The Ivybridge Bookshop, St Ives Books, Edge of the World Books, PadstowBookseller, Falmouth Bookshop, TheBookShopLiskeard, Shrew Books and Hurley Books, as well as the newly opened Bert’s Books in Swindon (on their way back!).
· Niche Comic Books (Huntingdon) will host an open mic poetry night with poet, musician and storyteller Fay Roberts on Thursday 23 June, and an acoustic night with talented singer-songwriter Christian Smith on Friday 24 June, both at The Commemoration Hall in Huntingdon. More info here and here.
· One Tree Books (Petersfield) will be visited by best-selling author Kate Mosse, one of the contributors of Marple: Twelve New Stories, a new collection of short stories featuring the Queen of Crime’s legendary detective Jane Marple, penned by twelve acclaimed authors, on Wednesday 22 June. More info here.
· Confer-Karnac Bookshop (London) will be celebrating IBW and the first year in their new Spitalfields home with all-day celebrations on Saturday 25 June. Expect a book launch with author Anne Power, 15% off on all books all day, a talk on ‘How to Get Published’ with Christina Wipf Perry (Publishing Director) and Catharine Arnold (Author and Editor of The New Psychotherapist), an afternoon of tea and cake, and much more! More info here.
· October Books (Southampton) will be holding two free events for IBW: on Thursday 23 June, join translators Megan Berkobien and María Cristina Hall in conversation via Zoom to discuss Montserrat Roig’s first novel, Goodbye, Ramona, a powerhouse story told through the point of view of three generations of women from the same family. On Saturday 25 June, there will be an in-person event with consultant clinical psychologist and author Isabel Clarke, to learn how to transform anger from a problem into a valuable resource, based on her illuminating self-help book How to Deal With Anger. More info here and here.
· The Ivybridge Bookshop is planning a session of children’s storytelling with author Clare Helen Welsh onSaturday 18 June, based on her book Slime? It’s Not Mine! On Tuesday 21 June, they will hold a Travel Writing Evening with authors Caroline Born, Mary Considine, Biku Ghosh, Andy Grigg and Eric Marks, and on Wednesday 22 June there will be a Romantic Fiction Morning with Liz Fenwick, Veronica Henry, Esme King and Rosie Walsh, including the paperback launch of The Impulse Purchase by Veronica Henry and The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh. On Thursday 23 June, there will be a Poetry Evening with Margaret Arnold, Laurence McPartlin, Gill McEvoy and AnnieJenkin. More info here.
· Booka Bookshop (Oswestry) are organising a virtual school event on Wednesday 22 June with Naomi and James Jones for the book One More Try (OUP), with a school class going into the bookshop itself to join in the virtual event with Naomi and James from there.
· Nomad Books (London) are holding three events to mark IBW: a special workshop for children with Jess Rose, author of Fantastic Frankie on Saturday 18 June; an evening with ClarePooley on Wednesday 22 June to discuss her book The People on Platform 5; and a special tasting on Saturday 25 June with Aparna Prinja and Shital Shah, based on their book Plant Milk Power. More info here.
· Kibworth Books will be holding a Jane Austen celebration with local writer GemmaBarder, author of the Easy Classics series (Sweet Cherry), on Saturday 25 June, and a signing session in the bookshop with A.M. Dassu to mark the publication of Fight Back on Thursday 23 June. More info here.
· Book Haus (Bristol) are hosting a great deal of celebrations for IBW: on Monday 20 June they will be hosting an event with Shon Faye to celebrate the paperback launch of The Transgender Issue (Penguin). On Wednesday 22 June they’ll hold a launch for A Woman’s Game (Faber) by Suzanne Wrack, with the event chaired by the head of Bristol City women’s supporters club, D.M. Withers. On Saturday 25 June they will be hosting a launch for Sink the Pink (Quarto) by Glyn Fussell; Sink the Pink is the biggest LGBTQ+ collective in the UK, and this event will be run as part of Bristol Pride. More info here.
· Gloucester Road Books (Bristol) will be doing an event with Sandor Katz, who will be joining them at the nearby B&A Church Hall on Friday 24 June to talk about his books about fermentation, including Fermentation Journeys (Chelsea Green) and give a demonstration! More info here.
· BOOK Leighton Buzzard will hold a pre-IBW event with author, comedian and podcast host Andrew Hunter Murray, to discuss his new book The Sanctuary on Thursday 17 June; on Friday 24 June, there will be an evening conversation with Ruth Hogan about her new book, Madame Burova; author and comedian Olaf Falafel will be running a story time, drawing session and will be illustrating a window of the bookshop based on his new book, Blobfish on Saturday 25 June. More info here.
· The Bookshop on the Green (Bournville, Birmingham) will hold a pre-IBW storytelling session for under 5s on Friday 17 June inspired by Julia Donaldson’s Tales from Acorn Wood;SteveSmallman will be coming to the bookshop with his latest Maggie Sparks books on Saturday 18 June; Thursday 23 June will see an Open Mic Night with poet Chloe Hanks. In addition to author events, the bookshop will be giving out High Five £5 vouchers when spending more than £10 and there will be 10% off all purchases all week, plus a Lucky Dip to win a special prize. More info here.
· Bert’s Books (Swindon) will have author signings throughout IBW, including: on Sunday 19 June Joanna Cannon, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Trouble with Goats and Sheep and Three Things About Elsie, will be doing a signing and working as a guest bookseller; on Monday 20 June, Sarah Winman, who is shortlisted in the Indie Book Awards for Still Life, will be visiting the shop; on Tuesday 21 June they will be visited by Sunday Times bestselling author CL Taylor; on Wednesday 22 June, BBC presenter and author Sarah Cox will be doing a signing of her new novel Thrown; on Friday 24 June they will be welcoming Nadine Matheson, author of The Binding Room; on Saturday 25 June children’s illustrator Steve Antony will be doing a set of activity for kids.
· BookBar (London) will be holding the launch party of Winnie M Lie, author of Complicit on Tuesday 21 June. More info here.
· The Bridge Bookshop (Port Erin, Isle of Man) will be organising an event with Fiona Gell, author of Spring Tides as part of their IBW activity.
· Hunting Raven (Frome) will be holding an author event with Winnie M Li in conversation with Libby Page, author of The Island Home, on Thursday 23 June, to discuss female ambition and male privilege in the workplace, breaking the silence and building community. More info here.
· The Book Nook (Stewarton) are running a variety of events for adults and children throughout Independent Bookshop Week. The line-up includes: LindsayLittleson will be doing a children’s story writing workshop and book signing on Saturday 18 June; on Sunday 19 June, Jacquelyn Armour will be signing and talk about her book Follow Your Joy; on Monday 20, you can find out more about local history from authors Dane Love and Frank Beattie; on Tuesday 21 June, Lorraine Johnston, author of The Story Behind the Stories will be sharing inspiring story of how a challenging diagnosis led to her becoming a children’s author; crime writers DouglasSkelton and Morgan Cry will be doing a talk and book signing on Wednesday 22 June; on Thursday 23 June there will be an event with authors Michael Malone and Kenny Boyle; and on Saturday 25 June there will be a workshop with children’s illustrator Petra Baillie and an author talk and signing with Sharon Bairden. More info here.
· Phlox Books (London) will be having writer and journalist Lucy Mangan, author of Are We Having Fun Yet? working as a guest bookseller on Wednesday 22 June.
· Mr B’s Emporium (Bath) will be doing an author event with Natasha Pulley, who will be discussing her new novel The Half Life of Valery K on Tuesday 21 June and an event with Lucy Mangan on Saturday 25 June. More info here.
· Shelf Life Books and Zines (Cardiff) invites customers to make their own book bag made out of recycled bouncy castle fabric with Shelf Life and Twin Made on Thursday 23 June. All materials will be provided, no sewing experience needed. More info here.
· Five Leaves (Nottingham) will be holding a charming event with Zoe Howe, author of Witchful Thinking: The Wise Woman’s Handbook for Creating A Charmed Life on Wednesday 22 June. More info here.
· Cookbookbake (Hove)are inviting customers to embark on a culinary journey along the ancient spice routes with Eleanor Ford, author of The Nutmeg Trail, on Saturday 18 June, and will be hosting a discussion and cooking demonstration of authentic Indian cooking with Torie True, inspired by her cookbook Chilli & Mint. More info here and here, and on their Instagram page @cookbookbake1.
· Max Minerva’s (Bristol) are holding an event with author Emma Stonex, who is shortlisted in the Indie Book Awards for The Lamplighters, her uncategorisable mystery/thriller about love and loss, on Monday 20 June. They will also be joined by food writer and founder of Bristol charity 91 Ways Kalpna Woolf, author of Eat, Share, Love, and Miranda El Khazen of Lebanese food importers Shorkk, to discuss the role of food in the community on Tuesday 21 June. More info here and here.
· Westbourne Bookshop (Bournemouth) will be celebrating IBW and handing out goodie bags all week. Andreina Cordani will be kicking IBW off with a special blog, and Joanna Quinn will be popping in to sign her new book The Whalebone Theatre, which was inspired by the local area. To end it we will be celebrating the Bookshop’s birthday (there will be cake)!
· The Steyning Bookshop (West Sussex) will be holding ‘An Evening with Two Sussex Crime Writers: Graham Bartlett & Lesley Thomson’ on Friday 24 June. Graham Bartlett, ex policeman and now advisor to crime writers, will introduce his debut novel Bad for Good, while popular crime novelist Lesley Thomson will introduce her new book The Companion. More info here.
· Sevenoaks Bookshop (Kent) will be open for an after-hours browse on Friday 24 June with special offers, music and delicious local wines, beer and soft drinks from their newly licensed bar. There will also be a free glass of Pimms for everyone who can make it! William Sieghart, author of The Poetry Pharmacy, will be running a poetry consultancy in the café. TorieTrue, author of the cookbook Chilli & Mint, will be signing copies of her book and serving some of her delicious recipes including her Sri Lankan Coconut Dahl. And SophiaKingshill, author of Mermaids, will be signing copies of her gorgeous book in the shop. More info here.
· ebb & flo bookshop (Chorley) is holding a book signing with The Happy News creator Emily Coxhead, to celebrate the launch of her new children’s picture book, Find Your Happy on Saturday 18 June. More info here.
· Much Ado Books (Alfriston, East Sussex) will be joined by historian and Oxford professor Emma Smith, author of Portable Magic: A History of Booksand their Readers, to discuss her wide-ranging tour of human history viewed through the lens of the book and its development on Saturday 25 June. More info here.
· Dark Peak Books & Gifts (Glossop), formerly known as Bay Tree Books & Gifts, will be unveiling their rebranded bookshop on the first day of IBW, Saturday 18 June, celebrating with fizz and cake. They will be offering tote bags full of goodies to customers when they spend over £30 during IBW.
· Edge of the World Bookshop (Penzance) are holding a great deal of celebrations for IBW: on Saturday 18 June artists and illustrators Emily Powell and Sarah Moore will be creating a special bookshop window, ahead of an event where they’ll talk about the power of art for your mental wellbeing; on Thursday 23 June, Joanna Nadin will be visiting local a primary school and entertaining children with stories about the very worst class in the world; also on Thursday 23 June Sharon Wright, author of Mother of the Bronte’s will share the secrets behind Penzance’s connection to the most famous literary family of all; on Friday 24 June, Jane Johnson will be launching her new book The White Hare in the Solomon Browne Hall, Mousehole. More info here.
· Seven Stories,the National Centre for Children’s Books (Newcastle upon Tyne) will be welcoming local author Saviour Pirotta for a wonderful session for over 7s to hear his stories and take part in activities on Saturday 25 June. In addition, they’ll have a guest window decorated by a local illustrator, a special signed book display, and an extra special family bingo night! More info here.
· Bookshop by the Blackdowns (Wellington, Somerset) will welcome ‘Queen of Historical Fiction’, Emma Carroll on Saturday 18 June, where she will be doing a book signing, promoting her new book Escape to the River Sea, a sequel to Eva Ibbotson’s Journey to the River Sea. More info here.
· Books Alive (Hove) will be doing an event on Saturday 18 June with local writer Jocelyn-Anne Harvey, author of Not Knowing but Still Going, a buoyant hope for uncertain times, where she will talk about how she came to write this unusual book on how it might have felt for the women who would have been on Noah’s Ark. More info here.
· CollectedBooks (Durham) will hold an event on Monday 20 June at St Chad’s College bringing together Avril Joy and Anna Barker, two County Durham-based writers to read from their recently published short story collections and discuss their experience of writing across the range of forms, from novel to story to poem. More info here.
· Blue Bear Bookshop (Farnham) will hold a book launch event with Becky Jerams and Ellie Wyatt, for their book The Songs You’ve Never Heard, a contemporary celebrity YA ‘booksical’ – a YA novel accompanied by an album of songs featured in the story – on Thursday 23 June. On Friday 24 June, there will be an evening with Ed Patrick discussing his comedy career and latest book – Catch Your Breath.More info here and here.
· The Rabbit Hole (Brigg) will be holding The Totally Locally Brigg Indie Market on Saturday 18 June, with locally based authors and musicians taking place in the market as well as outside and inside the shop during the day, to celebrate IBW and indies. On Wednesday 22 June, they will do an evening event with Matson Taylor, talking about his new book All About Evie, sequel to The Miseducation of Evie Epworth, which includes a number of local references. On Thursday 23, they’re holding a live Zoom event with local schools with children’s author Aisha Bushby. Finally, on Friday 24 June, Indie Book of the Month author A. M. Dassu will be visiting the shop. Throughout IBW, The Rabbit Hole will also be collaborating with Hull City Council at The Big Malarkey Festival. More info here.
BOOKTOK TOUR
Independent Bookshop Week 2022 will see its first ever BookTok Tour, with participating BookTokers from Northumberland, London, Manchester, St Neots (Cambridgeshire), York, Sunderland, Cambridge, Wolverhampton and Banchory (Aberdeenshire) joining the celebrations by visiting their local independent bookshops and sharing content about the Indie Book Awards.
· Bookshop.org, the online bookstore that supports independent bookshops, will be holding two virtual events during IBW: on Thursday 23 June, Jason Reynolds,who is shortlisted for the Indie Book Awards for When I Was the Greatest (illustrated by Akhran Girmay), will be in conversation with Carolynn Bain from Afrori Books at 7pm; on Tuesday 21 June, BodéAboderin (AKA Papa B) willdiscuss Fatherhood by Papa B with Candice Brathwaite and fellow fathers and father-figures Tom Cox, Robert Douglas and Niran Vinod at 7pm. Tickets to both events are available to all customers that buy a copy of the books form a participating indie, or from Bookshop.org. In addition, Bookshop.org will be holding a virtual event with Indie Book Awards shortlistee MichelleZauner, author of Crying in H Mart, to be broadcast just after IBW.
· Simon Savidge and Melanie Sykes, the official Book Club for Indie Bookshop Week, will be reading the Indie Book Awards shortlisted book Scoff by Pen Vogler for their June Book Club, which they will then discuss on their YouTube channel. More info here.
· Round Table Books (London) will be hosting a podcast recording of Down the Rabbit Hole, the podcast for grown-ups who love children’s books, hosted by Caroline Carpenter, Hannah Love, Charlie Morris and Sam Sedgman. The episode will see the special guest Namina Forna, YA author of The Merciless One (Usborne) in conversation with guest host Stacey Thomas, book reviewer at Bad Form Review and judge on The Diverse Book Awards longlist. The episode will air on Saturday 18 June, the first day of IBW. More info here.
· Gerrards Cross Bookshop (Buckinghamshire)will be hosting a recording a show of the podcast We’d Like A Word, a radio show and podcast about the words we write, the words we read, the words we say, hosted by Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. In their special IBW episode, they’ll interview author Conn Iggulden as well as bookseller SherylShurville. More info here.
· Denny’s Books (Thames Ditton, Surrey)will be hosting an episode of the podcast Writers Routine, a show discussing the work and lives of writers, hosted by Dan Simpson. More info here.
INDIE TWINNING
· Topping & Company Edinburgh will be twinning with award-winning indie press Fitzcarraldo Editions. There will be a bespoke window display, tote bags and postcards available throughout the week.
· Books on the Hill (St Albans) will be twinning with VERVE Books, with celebrations including: author event with Jane Jesmond on Saturday 18 June in the bookshop; podcast episodes with VERVE authors Laurie Petrou and Carolyn Kirby; a social media giveaway for a personalised book buying experience at Books on the Hill; co-branded bookmarks; an special IBW window display and more. More info here.
· Next Page Books (Hitchin) will be teaming up with children’s book publisher Barrington Stoke during IBW. They will hold an ‘Introduction to Barrington Stoke’ evening event for local parents and carers in the shop on Tuesday 21 June, where JaneWalker will talk about how their amazing books can help children break down barriers to reading and ensure that ‘every child can be a reader’. In addition, Jane will also be a bookseller for a day on the same day, helping with displays, booking in stock and chatting to customers!
· Bookhaus (Bristol) are going to partner with the Latin American-focused indie publisher Charco Press. On Saturday 18 June they will be hosting an event in the bookshop with two of their translators, Daniel Hahn and Rosalind Harvey. More info here.
· Gloucester Road Books (Bristol) will be working with Little Toller to highlight a big range of their wonderful publishing in store, and offer some free goodies when people buy one of their books from the shop. They will also hold an event with Little Toller author, Davina Quinlivan, who will be talking about her book Shalimar with PippaMarland in store on Wednesday 22 June. More info here.
· DRAKE The Bookshop (Stockton-on-Tees) are twinning with local press b small publishing. They will be doing a competition for children to win a copy of The Encyclopaedia of STEM Words, plus copies of the book for their school library too, and organising STEM storytime in the bookshop.
They are also working with four primary schools on a Reading Ambassador project, asking ambassadors to create some comments and reviews of the book, with the best reviews winning a set of books for their school library.
Joanna Cannonsaid: “Independent bookshops are magical places, staffed by passionate and enthusiastic booksellers who have the uncanny knack of always being able to find you exactly the right book, at exactly the right time.
“Independent Bookshop Week is a time to celebrate and support bookshops across the UK, and I’m so looking forward to being a bookseller for a day with the wonderful Alex at the gorgeous Bert’s Books.”
Naomi Jonessaid: “Indie bookshops are total treasure troves and often a really important part of their local community.
“They’re staffed by friendly, passionate booksellers who are full of brilliant recommendations. As an author, and someone who loves bookshops and books, I think it’s really important to support them which is why I’m thrilled to be involved with Independent Bookshop Week.”
Emma Bradshaw, Head of Campaigns at the BA, said: “We’re so excited for the start of Independent Bookshop Week next week! The breadth of events organised by booksellers across the UK and the number of bookshops taking part is larger than ever.
“After two years of the campaign taking place under COVID restrictions, we’re thrilled to see so much in-store activity lined up. Whether they are joining an author event, attending a children’s story time or family activity, enjoying special offers and promotions, or just buying their next great read, we know all book-lovers are in for a treat this June.”
Follow the latest developments via social media: #IndieBookshopWeek @BooksAreMyBag
We can’t believe that in just FOUR WEEKS we will be welcoming you to Hidden Door 2022!
For our team of volunteers, the festival build begins in the next few days so stay tuned for some exclusive behind-the-scenes previews.
For now, let’s take a closer look at our first Friday night … a night of wild pop and songs for the soul; late night electro in the Basement; ghostly dancers in the debating chamber; powerful theatre and beautiful spoken words echoing down the corridors; eclectic art around every corner; hot street food and sunny terrace bars with stunning city centre views …
The National Climate Campaign empowers underserved communities across Scotland with climate change knowledge
Building on their success during COP26, where they first united under the banner ‘Scottish Science Centres Together for Climate’, Science Centres in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee have once again joined forces to form the National Climate Campaign (NCC).
Together, the centres aim to continue the legacy of COP26 by informing, inspiring and empowering a diverse audience to tackle the climate crisis and ensure the discussion on climate change remains open.
Working together to further climate science education in their communities, the National Climate Campaign saw each science centre deliver a coordinated and interactive campaign of over 89 events, reaching over 13,000 members of underserved and underrepresented audiences by the end of March 2022.
The programme strived to make science more relatable and helped learners develop their science skills to understand the world around them.
The four science centres offered a programme of events tailored to different groups local to them, from both within the walls of their centres and outside in the community.
Glasgow Science Centre reached over 3,000 school pupils in remote, rural and deprived areas by providing access to their online and interactive ‘Learning Labs’, while also facilitating transport and visits to the centre from a variety of community groups, including Glasgow Disability Alliance, Yorkhill Green Space and African Challenge Scotland.
The centre has brought together partners in science education to deliver the learning and engagement programme– including providing film screenings of The Ants and the Grasshopper in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful.
In addition, Glasgow Science Centre organised litter pickings and climate café sessions, shining a light on the importance of science in the community and engaging with groups who are often the most affected by changes in our climate.
Stephen Breslin, CEO of the Glasgow Science Centre said:“We set up the National Climate Campaign to ensure that there is a legacy of climate engagement left behind after COP26.
“We hope that by providing communities across Scotland with our knowledge and resources, we can act as a magnet for climate engagement and help empower young people to make considered decisions and learn what climate change means for them.”
A spokesperson for the NSPCC, who took part in visits to Glasgow Science Centre as part of the National Climate Campaign said:“Having the opportunity to go to the Science Centre inclusive of travel and lunch was invaluable to the families, as travel and access to food are barriers that are often forgotten about when providing activities free of charge to the public.’
“The visit to the centre allowed the children to broaden their horizons around science, a topic which has so many elements, but isn’t always understood. Some of the children linked their school eco projects to the work at the science centre and shared this with the community team.
“The families expressed how much they enjoyed the experience, pointing out that they wouldn’t be able to afford the trip on their income and that both children and adults alike, learned so much and had a great day out.”
A highlight from Aberdeen Science Centre’s 20-event programme was last month’s Supper and Science Evening, where families came together to cook an evening meal at Northfield Academy.
While the meal was cooking, Science Centre staff ran a series of climate-themed workshop activities, including one where they recreated an oil spill with feathers and soap, to give the children some hands-on climate science experience.
In Edinburgh, Dynamic Earth delivered a packed programme of events including the delivery of STEM kits to a local children’s hospital. The boxes contain a variety of activities and experiments for young people on earth and environmental sciences with connections to climate change and marine environments.
Alongside their 10 in-person events and digital programme, the centre have also been running climate change workshops with community audiences, including the Edinburgh Young Carers Project Care for Carers, the Citadel Youth Centre and family learning activities with local primary schools.
Over 1,000 primary school pupils took part in Dundee Science Centre’s experiments and challenges during COP26 Schools Week, while the centre has created 150-climate themed community kids for young people, containing a mini solar-powered windmill as well as other items to show how environmental sciences connect to climate change.
Environment Minister Mairi McAllan said:“Young people have been among the strongest voices calling for urgent global action to address climate change.
“This campaign will make sure that young people in communities across Scotland continue to play a key role in our journey to becoming a net zero nation, delivering a lasting legacy for COP26, and making their voices heard loud and clear.”
Kostas Minas, Head of Education and Learning at Aberdeen Science Centre said: “We are excited to be part of the National Campaign, which we hope will engage our local communities on what we can all do to help the environment and how our actions impact the planet, whilst demonstrating how science can help us understand our world and feel empowered by knowledge.
“We’re grateful to be able to work so closely with Scotland’s three other science and discovery centres and I’m sure this campaign will leave a legacy of collaboration between the organisations.”
Eilidh Massie, Marketing Director at Dynamic Earth said: “It is so important for people to not only learn about our amazing planet, but also to understand that the Earth’s climate system is something we have taken for granted for too long.
“At Dynamic Earth we’re committed to reminding people, young and old, that we need to act now before the damage is irreversible.
“It has been a fantastic opportunity to work collectively with Scotland’s Science Centres as part of the National Climate Campaign to further these messages.”
Carlene Cura, Development and Fundraising Advisor, Dundee Science Centre said:“As COP26 approached, the climate emergency dominated the news and will, quite rightly, remain high on the news agenda.
“Now and in the future, Scotland’s Science Centres have a responsibility and an opportunity to bring these important global topics down to a grassroots level, into our local classrooms, community centres and homes, from city centre flats to rural communities.
“We see it as a privilege to take these important messages, make them accessible and relevant to all and shape fun and engaging activities around them, creating impactful, memorable activities for our audiences and helping them understand and explore the role they can play in our futures.
“It’s particularly important that these messages reach underserved communities who may not typically visit a science centre or have the digital resources to access our activities online, but whose potential to make a difference is exactly the same. That’s where our community outreach box has been extremely valuable, giving individuals and families the chance to get involved wherever they live, and whatever barriers they might face.”
For more information on the National Climate Campaign and Scottish Science Centre’s climate change education programming visit:
