It's just over a week until the 2020 #edinburghinternationalbookfestival online kicks off – and we can't wait to welcome you all! If you saw our programme launch last week, you'll know that from 15-31 August, we are bringing together 200 of the world's top authors, writers, thinkers and performers from more than 30 countries to 'Keep the Conversation Going'.
Watch all 140 events live and FREE on our website – from Bernardine Evaristo to Richard Holloway, Helen Skelton to Derek Owusu, Sebastian Barry to Samantha Irby, there's something for everyone. Check out the full programme and save your spot for as many events as you'd like. Remember – there's no limit on how many #people can watch each #event, so why not get your friends together for a virtual watch party?
We've even managed to keep some of the quintessential #festival experiences too, including opportunities to chat with fellow audience members, take part in Q&As and even meet the author and have your booked signed - not to mention browsing the shelves of our soon to be open online Bookshop.
Top thinkers and world-beaters
Don't forget to save your spot for some of the most popular events in our programme with superstar authors like Elif Shafak, Arundhati Roy, Ian Rankin, Nikita Gill, Matt Haig, Ali Smith, Marian Keyes, David Mitchell, Alexander McCall Smith, Val McDermid, and Cassandra Clare.
Of course it's not just best-selling authors and Booker-Prize winners in the programme this year (although we've got a fair few of them). We also welcome world-leaders, top-achievers and even Hollywood superstars to the 2020 Book #festival.
Thought-provoking events not to miss
It's hard to imagine a time in recent history when we have been more in need of constructive thought - which is why we've invited the world's top thinkers, activists, and scientists to 'Keep the Conversation Going' in 2020.
Throughout our programme, you'll discover eye-opening events like these:
Hidden #festival gems
With 140 events on our this year, there's plenty of hidden gems to discover. Here are three events you may have missed that we think you'll love:
Fire Front: First Nations Poetry and Power
Curated by Gomeroi poet and academic Alison Whittaker, Fire Front: First Nations Poetry and Power Today is a new anthology featuring Indigenous Australian writers and academics - a work of resistance against the act of dispossession that underpins the country. Join Alison and a selection of phenomenal poets for readings and discussions that throw down a challenge to what contributor Bruce Pascoe calls 'the tea-cosy nature of Australian comfort.'
Healing the Digital Divide
Part of our long-term Citizen project, this #event sees Rich Thanki, Co-Founder of Jangala, the organisation that delivered WIFI to the refugees in the 'Calais Jungle,' and Iain MacRitchie, CEO of MCR Pathways - who provided 300 laptops for digitally excluded young #people across Scotland - consider what can and must be done to remedy the global digital divide.
Writing Wrongs: Voices from the Queer Arab Vanguard
Gender non-conforming and sexually diverse #people are oppressed, persecuted and erased all over the world. So how does an LGBTIQA+ Arab end up making public art? What are the specific challenges and priorities for queer artists with Arab heritage, and how do creativity and activism interweave in their work? Join our panel of vibrant queer Arab writers as they show how queer lives, queer selves and queer expression continue to blossom, against the odds.
Spotlight on 2020 Booker Prize nominees
Not only do we have five of the 2020 Booker Prize longlisted authors in the programme this year, (Colum McCann, Douglas Stuart, Hilary Mantel, Maaza Mengiste and Tsitsi Dangarembga) we've also got discussions with every International Booker shortlisted author too. Be sure to save your place as Marieke Lucas Rijneveld, Yoko Ogawa, Fernanda Melchor, Daniel Kehlmann, Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, and Shokoofeh Azar discuss their nominated books alongside their translators, then tune in live on 26 August for the first interview with the 2020 International Booker Prize winner.
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