Edinburgh International Book Festival

Indeed, the names of the writers who have appeared at the Edinburgh International Book Festival over the past decade reads like a who's who of modern literature, with Margaret Atwood, Sebastian Faulks, Alan Bennett, Alexander McCall Smith, Harold Pinter, JK Rowling, Salman Rushdie and Zadie Smith representing just a few of the authorial names, as well as talks from world-renowned cultural commentators like Al Gore, Germaine Greer and Susan Sontag.

For book lovers there can surely be no greater treat than to wander through the sunlit marquees of Charlotte Square Gardens when the Book Festival is in full swing. Amid the Georgian splendour of Edinburgh's New Town you'll find hundreds of authors giving signings, readings and interviews, or having casual, candid conversations with their readers. Whether its listening to poetry in a sun-dappled tent, having a cool drink in the shade while music plays, or strolling along looking at the thousands of books for sale, some of the Edinburgh Festival's most relaxing pleasures are to be found here.

History

The EIBF has always been held in the stunning Charlotte Square Gardens, in Edinburgh's listed Georgian New Town. Every year the gardens are transformed into a tented village that welcomes over 200,000 visitors. There is also an independent bookselling operation, with profits invested back into the Festival.

Originally in a single tent, the EIBF has gone from strength to strength. In its first year it played host to just 30 'Meet the Author' events. Today, it programmes over 700 such events, enjoyed by people of all ages.

Present day

In 2001 the EIBF took things to new heights, introducing the debate and discussion series that has now become one of the Festivals hallmarks. Each year writers from all over the world gather to become part of this unique forum in which audience and author meet to exchange thoughts and opinions on some of the world's most pressing issues. It is perhaps as a result of this type of activity that UNESCO named Edinburgh its first City of Literature in 2004.

Education is all

One of the primary aims of the Book Festival EIBF is education, an attempt to inspire an enriching and memorable love of reading, writing and the exploration of new ideas.

The huge variety of events offers people of all backgrounds the opportunity to learn and develop, none more so than children. The extremely popular RBS Schools Programme usually runs for seven days, and expects to welcome over 10,000 pupils and teachers from over 100 schools across Scotland, led by some of the top names in the world of education, with the emphasis on encouraging children to play with words and concepts.

Looking to the Future

Another exciting development is the Literary Stars of Tomorrow event, which offers a chance to experience some of the best upcoming talent in Scotland's writing schools. From Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, St Andrews and Edinburgh, a host of unpublished, up-and-coming authors have showcased their work. And its worth remembering that the EIBF invited a little-known writer called Joanne Rowling along, back in 1997.

Who knows, in among all of this, a lucky audience might just get the chance to meet the JK Rowling of the future.

Go to Edinburgh International Book Festival or VisitScotland for more information.