The Wigtown Book Festival 2007

28 September - 7 October 2007

The Wigtown Autumn Festival is a ten day celebration of the written word, and includes cinema, theatre and events for children.

Wigtown continues to be Scotland's National Book Town, with its unique concentration of bookshops. Each year the Autumn festival provides ten days of performances, readings, exhibitions and debates, some of which we've highlighted for you below.

On the Edge

This year, the book festival is introducing a new theme: 'On the Edge' which will run through this year's festival and others to come.

This theme will reflect Wigtown's geographical situation on the edge of the mainland, and will include talks on islands, coastlines, peripheral and remote places. The events will also reflect situations where individuals go against the flow of mainstream culture. Thus, the autumn festival will be celebrating Samye Ling Tibetan Centre's 40th anniversary, as well as the launch of a Catalan Poetry Anthology. Visitors will also be able to learn about Robert McBride's and Robert Colquhon's contributions to 20th century Scottish art.

Highlights

The festival celebrates peace in Northern Ireland with First Minister, Rev Ian Paisley, giving the opening address. .

Other names appearing this year include Robert Crawford, Liz Lochhead, James May, Alasdair Gray, Louis de Bernières & Ilone Antonius Jones, as well as Fiona Castle and Allan Massie. Jeremy Bowen, the BBC's Middle East Editor, talks about his career and Dorothy King, once dubbed 'a female Indiana Jones', gives an illustrated account of the history of the Elgin Marbles.

Catch the screening of Black Narcissus (1947), to mark the centenary of the birth of Rumer Godden, upon whose novel the film was based, and Red Road, Andrea Arnold's Jury Prize-winning film from Cannes 2006. Finally, don't miss the outdoor performance of The Real Bride of Lammermoor from the Wigtown Festival Company and Scottish Opera, at Baldoon Castle.

For families and the younger visitor, there will be many exciting events, including a Bookmaking workshop, and appearances from Douglas the Magic Clown, as well as Performance Poetry, Illustrations and Cartoons, Space Pirates and the Wildlife Detective! The National Theatre of Scotland will perform 'A Sheep Called Skye' especially for those aged 5 and above. 

On-Site Extras

On Main Street, by the County Buildings, there will be a number of interesting diversions:

The Book Doctor Drop in to the Book Doctor's Surgery Bus for advice on what to read next! Silent Movie Bus This 1920s mobile cinema will show a steady stream of silent movies. Street Plays The Whithorn events group perform The Play of St Ninian, written by Brian Hayward in the style of the traditional scottish folk play.

The Carbon Footprint Testing Van
Discover whether your lifestyle is environmentally stable or not...pay a visit to the Testing Van!

The Bicycle-Powered Juicer
No fossil fuels or National grid- just a few minutes in the saddle and hey presto! A deliciously refreshing drink...