Latest news with #EIBF
The National
25-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Edinburgh International Book Festival awarded £300k
The Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF) is set to host more than 60 in-person and remote events this year for youngsters, with the Government funding set to support the programme for the next three years. It dropped Baillie Gifford as its sponsor last year after several visitors and authors threatened to boycott the festival due to the company's alleged links to Israel and fossil fuel firms. As reported in The Herald, the new funding will help to reduce the cost of school trips to the festival and will also provide free tickets to those unable to afford them. Commenting, Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: 'The Edinburgh International Book Festival is one the country's most significant cultural institutions. READ MORE: Donald Trump no longer meeting King in Scotland ahead of state visit 'Its schools programme has been crucial in fostering literacy and cultural engagement among young people, with thousands of pupils benefiting annually from free events and resources. 'This funding secures those benefits for young readers across Edinburgh, helping schools that might otherwise struggle with travel costs, and ensuring they have the same opportunity to take part in one of the world's leading literary festivals.' Reflecting on the increased funding support for pupils, EIBF director Jenny Niven said the event's programme for children is a 'cornerstone of what we do'. She added: 'Publishing for children and young people has never been more vibrant, and the benefits of reading never better evidenced. 'The festival is perfectly positioned to help children engage with the amazing range and breadth of stories around them, to support teachers to use books imaginatively and creatively in learning, and to supply older kids with the tools to think critically, and learn to evaluate the deluge of info around them. READ MORE: MPs slam 'flat-footed' Government effort to recover £1.9bn in Covid loan fraud 'This aspect of what we do is vital, and we're delighted to have specific public funding support to develop this work further in the coming years. 'We've identified the cost of transport as a key barrier to a wider cohort of schools joining us in August, and are committed to maintaining free access for as many children as possible. 'We're delighted that the Scottish Government's increased support for festivals has delivered public funding to develop this work further in the coming years, and we look forward to widening our reach across Scotland and exploring further the digital potential of what we do.'
The Herald Scotland
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish Government plugs book festival Baillie Gifford gap
The deal, which will help reduce the cost of school trips to the festival, was signed off by ministers several months ago but has not been previously announced. Read more: It is part of an enhanced package of support for the event, which has seen its government funding more than doubled in the space of 12 months, to a record £820,000. A further £160,000 increase planned for the next financial year is expected to see the festival's government funding rise by more than £1.5m by 2027-2028 compared to the last three years of Baillie Gifford's involvement with the event, which it supported through its schools and children's programme. The Edinburgh International Book Festival has an extensive programme of events for children and school pupils. (Image: Aly Wight/Edinburgh International Book Festival) Although the EIBF has this year introduced a £4 ticket per pupil charge for events in its schools programme, which were previously free of charge, the new support is expected to help more schools meet the costs of getting to and from the festival. Teachers and librarians can also apply for free tickets for pupils who would otherwise miss out. The Edinburgh International Book Festival is now based at the Edinburgh Futures Institute. (Image: Chris Scott) The plug was pulled on the Edinburgh-based finance firm's involvement in the book festival last spring after the escalation of a campaign triggered the previous summer over its links with the fossil fuel industry. Climate activist Greta Thunberg pulled out of a sold-out appearance at the 2023 festival, protesters staged a walk-out from an event and 50 writers threatened to boycott the EIBF in future if it did not sever its links with Baillie Gifford. The Fossil Free Books campaign went on to target book festivals across Britain, including the Edinburgh event, last May by demanding that they sever all links with Baillie Gifford due to its involvement in the coal, oil and gas sectors. Hundreds of writers backed an open letter warning festivals to 'expect escalation, including the expansion of boycotts, increased author withdrawal of labour, and increased disruption.' Announcing the ending of the partnership with Baillie Gifford just two weeks after the open letter was published, the Edinburgh book festival said its ability to deliver a safe and successful event had been 'severely compromised.' At the time, EIBF director Jenny Niven said: 'It will be infinitely harder to build and sustain well-funded cultural institutions in the future than it is to put them out of business today." Allan Little, the then book festival chair, said: 'Without the support of our partners and donors, the future of festivals like is in jeopardy.' First Minister John Swinney later accused campaigners against Baillie Gifford's sponsorship of jeopardising cultural events and of running a 'misplaced' campaign against the company. A number of leading Scottish writers, including Alexander McCall Smith, Andrew O'Hagan, Chris Brookmyre, Denise Mina, Doug Johnstone, David Greig, Liz Lochhead and Val McDermid, backed a separate open letter describing the targeting of book festivals as 'deeply retrograde' and 'ill thought-out.' Many of the writers who backed the Fossil Free Books campaign are taking part in this year's Edinburgh book festival, including Ali Smith, Hannah Lavery, Jess Brough, Raymond Antrobus, Chitra Ramaswamy, Andrés N Ordorica, Harry Josephine Giles and Katie Goh. The bulk of the government's support for the Edinburgh book festival comes via its arts agency Creative Scotland. A new deal confirmed in January saw the event's core funding increase from £919,000 over the last three years to £1.88m over the next three. As well as the £300,000 ringfenced for the festival's schools programme over the next three years, the EIBF has also seen its annual support from the government's Festival Expo Fund doubled, to £200,000, after ministers agreed to boost support for events in Edinburgh and Glasgow by £1.1m. The newly-announced support for the book festival has emerged after the government agreed to invest an additional £4 million in cultural events across Scotland in this financial year. It announced one-off support to the tune of £300,000 for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society in March. Ms Niven, who is overseeing her second festival as director, said: "The work the book festival does for children and young people is a cornerstone of what we do. "Publishing for children and young people has never been more vibrant, and the benefits of reading never better evidenced. "The festival is perfectly positioned to help children engage with the amazing range and breadth of stories around them, to support teachers to use books imaginatively and creatively in learning, and to supply older kids with the tools to think critically, and learn to evaluate the deluge of info around them. "This aspect of what we do is vital, and we're delighted to have specific public funding support to develop this work further in the coming years. 'We've identified the cost of transport as a key barrier to a wider cohort of schools joining us in August, and are committed to maintaining free access for as many children as possible. "We're delighted that the Scottish Government's increased support for festivals has delivered public funding to develop this work further in the coming years. We look forward to widening our reach across Scotland and exploring further the digital potential of what we do.' Richard Lochhead, the government's minister for business and employment, said: "The Edinburgh International Book Festival is one the country's most significant cultural institutions. "Its schools programme has been crucial in fostering literacy and cultural engagement among young people, with thousands of pupils benefiting annually from free events and resources. 'This funding secures those benefits for young readers across Edinburgh, helping schools that might otherwise struggle with travel costs, and ensuring they have the same opportunity to take part in one of the world's leading literary festivals.'
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Outlander's Sam Heughan teases fans with sneak peak of new cocktail book
Sam Heughan has revealed a copy of his upcoming cocktail book, delighting fans with a tutorial of one of his featured cocktails inside. Sam Heughan has unveiled the cover of his upcoming cocktail book which is due to be released in September. Published by Quadrille, The Cocktail Diaries: A Spirited Adventure, will showcase some of the Outlander star's favourite drinks from his adventures across the world. The Scots actor and co-founder of Sassenach, gave fans a sneak peak of his new book, at a Booktopia event as he demonstrated how to make the perfect gin sour cocktail. The Australian bookmaker uploaded a YouTube video of the 45-year-old giving a tutorial on how to make the alcohol beverage using just four ingredients - 60ml gin, 15ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 15ml simple syrup and 1 egg white. Sam, who regularly shares his love for cocktails online, followed his own recipe from the 'simple and timeless' section of his new book. Providing viewers with step by step instructions, the Jamie Fraser star whisked up the delicious alcoholic beverage in a cocktail shaker. During the video, the Outlander icon was asked what spirit he would choose if he could only have one for the rest of his life. Sam replied: "That's very difficult. I'm Scottish so I think it has to be Scotch whiskey. However I have created my own very fantastic Scottish gin and you never know there may be some vodka coming out soon too." The star reposted the video on his Instagram page to his 4.4M followers as he wrote: "Where to start….!? Check out a cheeky Gin Sour from my new book 'The Cocktail Diaries'." Fans rushed to the comments to have their say as one wrote: "Wonderful tutorial bartender Sam! This cocktail will be even more delicious when The Sassenach Gin gets in there!" Another chimed in: "I love gin sour, especially with #sassenachwildscottishgin. I pre-ordered the book and can't wait to get my hands on it." A third exclaimed: "I absolutely must make this cocktail!" Some lucky fans will even get the chance to see Sam make some of his cocktail recipes in person when he attends the Edinburgh International Book Festival later this year. Sam is set to host his event, Sam Heughan: On the Rocks, at the festival in the capital on August 23, where he will present his own cocktail masterclass, ahead of the publication of his new book. The talented star is set to discuss the significance of cocktails in his journey to stardom at the EIBF this summer as well as how to recreate some of his personal favourite drinks from his upcoming book, The Cocktail Diaries: A Spirited Adventure, which is due to be published in September. However, tickets for the event, which went on sale on Saturday June 21, are now sold out after they were all gone within a matter of minutes. Festival organisers have warned that only tickets bought through the official website will be valid and that they are also not transferable.
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Outlander's Sam Heughan fans issued stark warning over Edinburgh International Book Festival tickets
Outlander star Sam Heughan is set to hold a cocktail event at The Edinburgh International Book Festival in August with tickets selling out in minutes The Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF) has issued a warning to ticket holders after a "huge" demand for tickets to Sam Heughan at this year's event. The festival organisers admitted they were not 'totally surprised' that tickets for the sold-out event, on August 23, had proved to be popular due to the Outlander star's presence. However, the demand has meant that many people unfortunately missed out on tickets and warned that only those bought through the official website would be valid. Festival bosses also cautioned that tickets would not be transferable. The EIBF event, Sam Heughan: On the Rocks, will see the actor, best known for playing Jamie Fraser in the Starz show, present his own cocktail masterclass, ahead of the publication of his new book, The Cocktail Diaries: A Spirited Adventure, in September. Tickets cost £14 each and sold out within hours of tickets becoming available on Saturday June 21, the Scotsman reports. A EIBF statement posted on social media said: 'There's been huge demand for our Sam Heughan: On the Rocks event this morning, and we're sorry that not everyone has been able to get the tickets they were hoping for. 'Please be aware that any tickets purchased for this event are non-transferable, and that tickets not purchased directly from the Edinburgh International Book Festival will not be valid for entry to the event. We would hate for anyone to be disappointed on arrival.' The post added: 'We can't say we're totally surprised that Sam Heughan's event has sold out already, but for anyone who didn't get a ticket, do make sure to sign up to our mailing list in case any returns get released. 'There are still hundreds of incredible events with tickets available, including many with a focus on the fascinating topic of Scottish history.' Some diehard Outlander fans from across the pond had even been trying to get their hands on tickets as the Starz show is very popular in America. One fan, Jessica Torrey, commented on the EIBF's social media post: 'So disappointed! Up at my computer at 4 a.m. Minnesota, USA. "Thought I might actually make this happen, with only about 900 people ahead of me when queue opened and it moving rapidly. 'Had no idea only about 300 tickets available. Dream trip to Scotland coming up and this would have been amazing. Going to continue manifesting this. Not giving up all hope just yet.' The Scots actor, who will soon make his Royal Shakespeare Company debut in Macbeth, will discuss the significance of cocktails as well as his journey to stardom during the event. Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here an d get the latest news sent straight to your messages Heughan, who is originally from Dumfries and Galloway, moved to Edinburgh with his family at the age of 12 before studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow. Other high profile appearances at this year's festival include former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, authors Irvine Welsh and Maggie O'Farrell and Heartstopper writer Alice Oseman. Actors Brian Cox, Viggo Mortensen and Vanessa Redgrave will also take part in events. This year's festival's programme is based around the theme of Repair, seeking to explore things which feel broken, and looking at how they could be fixed – from the physical to the political, the emotional to the environmental, and beyond.
The National
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Warning issued for Outlander star Sam Heughan event
Sam Heughan's event on August 23 sold out within hours over the weekend, The Scotsman reports. The event, named Sam Heughan: On the Rocks, will involve the star giving a cocktail masterclass to promote the upcoming publication of his new book, The Cocktail Diaries: A Spirited Adventure. Sam Heughan in Outlander (Image: Starz) Festival organisers admitted that people may have missed out on tickets and warned that only those bought through the official website would be accepted, adding that tickets would not be transferable. A statement from EIBF said: 'There's been huge demand for our Sam Heughan: On the Rocks event this morning, and we're sorry that not everyone has been able to get the tickets they were hoping for. READ MORE: Police ban Palestine Action protest from taking place outside Westminster 'Please be aware that any tickets purchased for this event are non-transferable, and that tickets not purchased directly from the Edinburgh International Book Festival will not be valid for entry to the event. We would hate for anyone to be disappointed on arrival.' The statement added: 'We can't say we're totally surprised that Sam Heughan's event has sold out already, but for anyone who didn't get a ticket, do make sure to sign up to our mailing list in case any returns get released. There's been huge demand for our Sam Heughan: On the Rocks event this morning, and we're sorry that not everyone has been able to get the tickets they were hoping for. Please be aware that any tickets purchased for this event are non-transferable. (1/) — Edinburgh International Book Festival (@edbookfest) June 21, 2025 'There are still hundreds of incredible events with tickets available, including many with a focus on the fascinating topic of Scottish history.' At the event, which sold for £14-a-head, Heughan is set to discuss the "significance of cocktails in his journey to stardom", The Scotsman reports. The Scottish actor was born in Kirkcudbright and moved to Edinburgh at the age of 12, before studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.
