We’re coming to the end of a busy August, probably for many the first time in a few years being able to fully engage with Festivity across our Literary City.
We had a blast of a Birthday Bash, thanks to all who came over the course of the evening. As we said in the Welcome we have come a long way in the four years, and we had more than statistics to celebrate. Our Guest Authors engaged in a lively discussion which playfully pitted prose against poetry, with Olga Wojtas giving Samuel Tongue a run for his money. Of course, we all have a story to tell, however we chose to tell it.
Lynn Ferguson not only brought these strands together for us, but also summed up perfectly the reason and ethos of the Literary Salon: “Writing is a solitary act, but it’s meaningless without company.” We’ll drink to that!
Indeed, we did, thanks to our hosts The Outhouse, as well as stuffing a stash of pizza from Giuliano's, and a fine array of cakes from our Steering Group baking-force. We also had some great books and booze for raffle prizes, thanks to Arbikie Gin, and our friends at Leamington Books and CYMERA, as well as other generous donors.
To round off the evening, we had guitar songs from Elisa, unaccompanied folksong from Caroline, and Aquapella provided a fabulous, foot-tapping finale. Thanks to everyone who made this such a memorable evening.
Final Recommendations
Aquapella’s last show is at 11.30 on Saturday 27th of August, Gilded Balloon at the Patter Hoose.
Our dear friend, Vin Arthey, is at the PBH Free Fringe for the last two days, 27th and 28th of August, at the Natural Food Kafe, 55 Clerk Street, 16.30, telling his tales from his COMMONPLACE BOOK.
And a select few from the Book Festival:
Val McDermid & Jo Sharp: Imagine Another Country
Val McDermid and Geographer Royal for Scotland, Jo Sharp, previously invited a diverse group of people to share their ideas. This post-pandemic edition adds more voices to Imagine A Country.
Eloghosa Osunde: Outlawed in Lagos
Original, unrelenting and lavishly experimental, both Vagabonds! and its author command your attention.
Jamaica Kincaid: Write Out of Defiance
A celebration hosted by Jackie Kay, who has written a new introduction to Jamaica Kincaid’s 1985 debut Annie John, The Autobiography of My Mother.
Doug Johnstone: Mysterious Happenings in Modern Edinburgh
Doug Johnstone introduces us to Black Hearts, the most recent book in his Skelfs series, following the fascinating Edinburgh sleuths once more.
Maggie O'Farrell: Renaissance Woman
In conversation with Damian Barr, the Edinburgh-based writer Maggie O'Farrell launches The Marriage Portrait, a portrayal of the battle for survival by a captivating young duchess in 16th century Florence.
Look out for our next regular Literary Salon, on the 27th of September…