The days are stretching, the daffodils are out, and summer is around the corner at last.What better way to mark spring than to add Borders Book Festival 2022 to your diaries, this year back at its iconic home of Harmony Garden in Melrose and running from Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th June.
The four-day extravaganza of more than 100 events will welcome to the Scottish Borders some of the biggest names from the world of literature, entertainment, and politics.
We are excited to return to Melrose itself, and to Harmony Garden, in the heart of the bustling town, after a brief spell last year at Abbotsford, home of Sir Walter Scott, as part of the 250th celebrations of the life of Scotland’s most celebrated storyteller. And this year, we continue to proclaim the power of storytelling – that long and vital tradition – supported by EventScotland as part of the Year of Stories 2022.
Alistair Moffat, Festival Director, said:
“We couldn’t be more excited about our return to Harmony Garden this summer. Undoubtedly, Abbotsford made a fabulous venue last November, and was especially fitting for the 250th anniversary year of Scott’s birth, but our hearts lie at Harmony Garden, and to return there more than two years since the pandemic paused life as we knew it is a poignant cause for reflection and celebration.”
“This year, whilst all relevant Covid-19 measures will still be in place to ensure the safety and peace of mind of festival-goers, we hope to be able to return to relative pre-pandemic bliss: spending long, light days in a beautiful setting; surrounding ourselves with inspiring debates and exchanges of ideas to fuel mind and soul; and enjoying the delights, once more, of the Food and Drink Village to fuel (just as importantly!) the body”.
The full programme is to be announced on Tuesday 19th April, after which tickets will go on sale at www.bordersbookfestival.org. But organisers have already confirmed that this year’s stellar line-up of live events will include Joanna Lumley, Andrew Marr, Julian Clary, Val McDermid, and James Naughtie, as well as a unique show with Scottish Impressionists Rory Bremner, Ronni Ancona, and Lewis MacLeod.
The Family Book Festival, once again sponsored by Saltire Roofing and Building, takes place throughout the day on the Saturday and Sunday (18th & 19th June), packed with thrilling author events, kids craft activities, storytelling and interactive creative workshops — perfect for curious young minds.
In addition, the winner of this year’s prestigious £25,000 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, last year won by Hilary Mantel for The Mirror and the Light, will be announced at a special event at the book festival. Contenders on the recently announced longlist include Colm Toíbín, Nadifa Mohamed, Sebastian Faulks, Sarah Winman, Andrew Greig and Stacey Halls.
For more information on the longlist of thirteen titles, go to: /www.walterscottprize.co.uk/news-and-media/
The Financial Times is, once again, the national media partner and will curate their own series of events at the festival this year.
Box Office opens on Tuesday 19th April with tickets available at www.bordersbookfestival.org or by calling 0131 290 2112.
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