Edinburgh int'l book festival calls for freedom to think

Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-11 23:46:14|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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LONDON, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The 2018 Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF) that opened Saturday, calls upon its authors, participants and audiences to consider the importance of freedom in a world where democracy and capitalism are being brought into question.

The book festival this year welcomes over 900 participants from 55 countries and regions to its tented village in the heart of Edinburgh and runs from Aug. 11 to Aug. 27.

The theme of this year's event is "freedom to think", as topics like free speech, freedom of movement, freedom of expression and freedom of identity are going to be discussed in a diverse and wide-ranging program of talks, debates, workshops and readings taking place in Charlotte Square Gardens and in George Street.

"The Book Festival in Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for meeting inspiring people and sharing big ideas," said Nick Barley, Director of the Book Festival.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said the EIBF has long been a highlight in the Edinburgh Festivals' calendar, bringing together the world's finest authors, including the best of Scotland's creative talent.

"This year's program, with its focus on freedom and its wide-ranging offer of compelling talks and events, is sure to stimulate debate and intrigue audiences, raising Scotland's cultural profile on the international stage," she added.

Over the last 10 years the Scottish government has provided over 1 million pounds to the book festival, enabling creative writers to push the boundaries and make international connections.

The year 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nelson Mandela and the book festival welcomes his daughter Zindzi and great-grandchildren Zazi and Ziwelene to talk about his life and legacy, according to the festival schedule.

As an important international cultural event held annually along side with the Edinburgh International Festivel, EIBF welcomes around 1,000 authors in over 900 events for adults and children each year including novelists, poets, scientists, philosophers, sportsmen, illustrators, comic creators, historians, musicians, biographers, environmentalists, economists, Nobel and Booker prize-winners.

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