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Edinburgh International Book Festival rogramme announced, featuring 800 authors and one Sean onnery. Words: Anna Millar
estival lever continued apace last week l'ollowing announcements about the Free Fringe Festival. the Iidinburgh Interactive Festival and the Iidinburgh International Book Festival. Book Festival organisers said this year‘s programme boasted their biggest and most international line-up to date. The (‘harlotte Square (iardens event will host
the launch ol‘ the long—awaited memoirs ol~
Sir Sean Connery. living xl .St'nl. Conner) will he in discussion with the book’s co- author. Scottish liIm-maker Murra_v (it'igot' on the linal da_v ol' the festival.
Iilsewhere on the programme. a record 8()() authors will appear from over 45 countries. with over 2()() Scottish authors taking part. Highlights include Salman Rushdie. Louis de Bernieres. Margaret Atwood and llanil‘ Kttreishi. Politics will also pIa_v an important role in the programme. with John Prescott. Alex Salmond (who will deliver The National Library of Scotland Donald Dewar Lecture). Menzies Campbell. Tony Benn. Alan Johnston and Kate Adie all making an appearance.
Other highlights include 2008 ()range Pri/e winner Rose 'I‘remain. who will be speaking about her winning novel. The Road Home and a Focus on ('hina series. which will boast ()range short—listed
Xiaolu (ino. 'I'ianaman Square protestor
Diane Wei Liang. (‘hiew-Siah 'I’ei. Sun
Shu_vun and anal_vsts Mark Leonard and Rana Mitter.
Book Festival director. (‘atherine Lockerbie. said: ‘I am overjoyed that so man_v authors. l'rom the most renowned to brand new writers being heard here l‘or the lirst time. have accepted our invitation to come and be part of our intricater constructed 25th annivet'sar) Festival.'
In other l‘estival news. the Iidinburgh Interactive Festival will he held at the Iidinburgh International ('onl‘erence (‘entrct Ill-~12 Aug) and members ol’ the public are welcome to attend the speciall}~ assembled weekend of screenings and events. And linal|_v. the Free Fringe has announced IIS l'ree shows this _vear. having grown in si/e l‘ourl’old over the last three ~vears.
See www.edbookfest.co.uk
FRESHLY SQUEEZED
I The great and good of the music industry have come out in force to support former Orange Juice frontman Edwyn Collins’ new single, Home Again, which hits the shelves on Monday 23 June. Franz Ferdinand, Jarvis Cocker, Bernard Butler, Graham Coxon and Tim Burgess have joined literary stars such as Irvine Welsh to design covers for Collins’ new work, with a total of 25 designs featuring on 60 singles sleeves each, to contribute towards a 1500 series of collectible singles. The singer, who is best known for his nineties hit, A Girl Like You, left the music scene in 2005 after he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage.
list-23 BT32 is appearing at the Big Tent Festival (26-27 July). He and his Fence Collective compadres will be joined on the bill by The Peatbog Faeries and Moishe’s Bagel among others. See www.bigtent festival.co.uk
ORGANIIERS OF The Edinburgh Rat Race (19-20 July 2008) has announced that Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT), the national charity that helps teenagers fight cancer, is to be the official charity partner for this ever-popular weekend of extreme sport. See www.ratrace adventure.com.
HOUSE CLOSURE Edinburgh's private member 5 club Home House has officially closed for business, just over a 2222323123.. 9‘“ Since It Opened the g 1ts doors. At the t1me 2332233322? of going to press, Clarke, organisers details available
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