The 19th annual Wigtown Book Festival got off to a superb start this weekend with organisers predicting it will be the biggest event yet.
The 10-day festival in Scotland’s National Book Town is expected to welcome an audience of up to 20,000 at a whole range of talks, lectures, debates, workshops and many other activities.
Each morning kicks off with breakfast sessions in The Chat Room where the Wigtown-based Bookshop Band play tunes and welcome special guests while the audiences enjoy coffee and pastries.
The coming days will see a host of high-profile writers, journalists, filmmakers, historians and others gather in the Dumfries and Galloway town.
The line-up includes Iain Sinclair, Jeremy Bowen, Paul Laverty, Mairi Hedderwick and Tom Devine among many others. Joining them are many new names in literature, including 10-year-old Rebekah McCrorie from Prestwick who was reading from here first book Monster, Monster ay Curly Tales bookshop.
Adrian Turpin, the festival’s artistic director, said: “The festival has got off to a great start and looks like being the biggest ever, with an audience of up to 20,000 being welcomed in a town with under 1,000 residents.”
The festival has a wide-ranging programme of events for children and young people, many aimed at nurturing their interest in reading and writing.
Rebekah, whose favourite authors are J K Rowling and David Walliams, said: “I’m really looking forward to my event. I want to encourage other boys and girls to write their own books.”
The young writer is currently working on her second book, which she says is a mystery with an unexpected twist.
Adrian Turpin, the festival’s artistic director, said: “The festival has got off to a great start and looks like being the biggest ever, with an audience of up to 20,000 being welcomed in a town with under 1,000 residents.”
- Booking information – To book tickets call 01988 403222, visit in person at Number 11 North Main Street in Wigtown or buy online at www.wigtownbookfestival.com
- Website – www.wigtownbookfestival.com
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