There’s a common belief that since the dawn of the internet, people have started to read far less. After all, social media, countless videos, apps, podcasts, and other content consume users’ time, leaving little energy or desire for reading. Find out more at edinburghski.
Furthermore, with more and more e-books becoming freely available, the traditional “paper” library is not as popular as it once was.
But fortunately, the situation isn’t so bleak. There are still plenty of reading enthusiasts who prefer a good book to loud parties and time spent online.
Proof of this can be found in the various events dedicated to reading. Most often, they take the form of a festival, as such a large-scale event can attract more attention and guests.
In this respect, Edinburgh is no exception. Amidst its usual cultural diversity, a major literary event stands out.
This is the Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF). This annual event attracts a huge number of people, which is why it has earned the status of the largest festival of its kind in the world.
Considering this, it seems absurd to say that people don’t read at all anymore, doesn’t it?
But let’s return to the festival. The organisers plan the programme in such detail that it is rich and wonderfully diverse. In addition to the usual author meet-and-greets, the festival offers various workshops, debates, discussions, and even events for children.
How It All Began
The history of the festival began in 1983. That was the year the event was first held.
Interestingly, although the EIBF later became an annual event, at the beginning of its existence, it was held every two years.
The scale of the festival and its large number of visitors contributed to Edinburgh being designated the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature in 2004.
A Unique Event
It must be said that the EIBF is a highly anticipated event not only for readers but also for authors. It provides a unique opportunity to showcase their work and interact personally with potential readers.
For instance, the year 2016 was memorable for the festival attracting 800 authors from over 55 countries. This detail alone is enough to grasp the scale and scope of the event.
Furthermore, in 2016, the Edinburgh International Book Festival impressed with an exceptionally packed programme. Writing workshops, educational events, panel discussions, and talks by fascinating individuals all brought authors and guests together.
In addition to representatives of the writing craft, the festival also featured many popular historians, playwrights, philosophers, and musicians.
A Special Focus on Children
When talking about the Edinburgh International Book Festival, it’s important to note that its purpose is not only to promote a culture of reading among adults. Children are also a key part of the festival’s audience, and the organisers do everything possible to ensure that their youngest guests have an interesting, high-quality, and maximally beneficial time.
To this end, a special children’s programme is developed, consisting of various workshops, group activities, author signings, and more.
Interestingly, the festival is hugely popular not just with the general public; schools also actively collaborate with the event. As a result, pupils from various educational institutions are eagerly awaited and regular guests at the festival.
Thus, the Edinburgh International Book Festival can rightly be considered one of the city’s most brilliant events. The very purpose of its existence is incredibly impressive in our time. Against a backdrop of general interest in everything internet-related, promoting a love and respect for reading is something truly unique.
Furthermore, the richness of the festival’s programme allows for the maximum exploration of different literary genres, themes, and directions. And, of course, face-to-face meetings with authors help readers connect more closely with their work and understand more clearly which books resonate most deeply with them.
Thanks to such a festival, reading is certainly in no danger of being completely eradicated. No social network or countless games can replace the pleasure of engaging with an interesting book. This pastime is a form of relaxation, as it allows a person to become fully immersed in the plot and the lives of the characters, without any need to comment, follow someone else’s life (as with social media), or beat the next game level.
Moreover, a great interest in reading is clearly demonstrated by the younger generation, who can very often be seen among the guests of the EIBF. As mentioned above, a separate programme is dedicated to this audience, so there is no need to worry about the literacy and education of our youth.
As long as festivals like this exist, the love of reading will remain a reliable beacon, uniting those who strive for knowledge, education, and literacy. Long may it continue.