In a three way venture between Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF), The Brunton Theatre and North Edinburgh Arts, the trio will host a weekend of activities and conversations that goes under the name of Citizen Winter Warmer, presenting two days of interactive events celebrating local community voices and creating opportunities for new stories to be heard involving local residents alongside professional writers.
Communities Programme Director at the EIBF, Noëlle Cobden, said “We’re delighted to be working with our partners North Edinburgh Arts and The Brunton on our Citizen Winter Warmer. Through our year-round Communities Programme, the Book Festival provides a platform for local people to share their stories, helping to bring us together in challenging times. The Winter Warmer all is about celebrating community and connection, spreading a little bit of light in the darkest point of the year, and we hope that everyone, whether or not they’ve been to a Book Festival event before, feels welcome to join us either in Musselburgh or North Edinburgh.”
As part of the Winter Warmer, featured children’s authors Christopher Lloyd, Maisie Chan and Elle McNicoll will be visiting local schools, when children will get to explore their stories through a mix of interactive activities, readings and Q&A sessions led by the authors.
The programme also consists of family entertainment in the form of The Great Big Story Show; a Stories and Scran event offering a three course meal provided by the Scran Academy, a social enterprise catering company supporting vulnerable young people; award winning writers and a photography exhibition.
Full details can be found at https://ontheroad.edbookfest.co.uk/.
EIBF’s Citizen project, an ongoing programme of events, festivals and residences taking place around Edinburgh and the Lothians throughout the year, is supported by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery and through the PLACE programme.
The Winter Warmer, that kicks off on Friday 19th November at The Brunton in Musselburgh, moving to North Edinburgh Arts in Muirhouse on Saturday 20th November, is part of Book Week Scotland. Prior to these dates, the Story Wagon, that will have on board writer Luke Winter and Citizen Writer in Residence Eleanor Thom, will be parked at The Brunton Tuesday 16th November, at North Edinburgh Arts on Wednesday 17th November from 10.00am to 2.00pm. Local residents are encouraged to drop in, have a chat and share their stories with Luke and Eleanor.
Tickets to Brunton events are availablethrough their website or by phone on 0131 653 5245 (Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm).
Tickets North Edinburgh Arts events are available their website or by phone on 0131 315 2151 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm).
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 