Louis De Bernieres, Iain Banks, David Lodge, Lionel Shriver and Deborah Moggach, are just five of the headline names topping the bill at this year’s WORD Festival taking place at the University of Aberdeen in May this year.
The festival's programme, which is announced today (29th March), has revealed the plethora of literary talent will also be joined by Idlewild frontman, Roddy Woomble, and Scotland's best loved female comedian, Rhona Cameron, reaffirming WORD 07's position as one of the leading events on both the cultural and literary calendars.
WORD 07 will take place from 11-13 May 2007 in the grounds of the University of Aberdeen and at some of the major arts venues throughout The Granite City.
As Aberdeen readies itself for the annual influx, the expected 10,000 visitors will be treated to a packed weekend of readings, music, art exhibitions, and film screenings from as many as sixty national, international and Scottish authors and poets. With a Gaelic Festival and Children's Festival running throughout the three days and most of the daily events being free to attend, WORD 07 is a great family attraction.
Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Aberdeen said: "We're immensely proud that in its seventh year, the WORD festival has become a true cornerstone of the Scottish literary scene, and a landmark cultural event for the City of Aberdeen.
"The diverse, stimulating programme for WORD 07 will enrich our own community and contribute to the wider cultural landscape in this exciting time for Scottish Literature.
"It's a pleasure to be able to continue the story."
For the full schedule and how to book for ticketed events please visit on-line at www.abdn.ac.uk/word or telephone 01224 273874
Word 07 Highlights:
- Fresh from the success of his sixth album with Scottish rock band Idlewild, founding member and lead singer Roddy Woomble presents Ballad of the Book – a compilation album bringing together the worlds of music and literature with contributions from Ian Rankin, AL Kennedy and Alistair Gray
- David Lodge – author, screenwriter, playwright and Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature presents his latest book The Year of Henry James and discusses the rise of the bio-novel
- Lionel Shriver – the Orange Prize winning author of We Need to Talk About Kevin presents her new novel The Post-Birthday World
- Rhona Cameron – top Scottish comedian and TV presenter will present her second novel The Naked Drinking Club and Heat magazine reviews editor Paige Toon will be reading extracts from her debut novel Lucy in the Sky
- Louis De Bernieres – the celebrated author of the internationally renowned, Captain Corelli's Mandolin will be in conversation with Festival Director Alan Spence discussing his work and success over the years
- Deborah Moggach – the award winning screen-writer and best-selling novelist, will present her new wartime novel – In the Dark
- Kenny Hunter –one of Scotland's foremost sculptors, reveals a new statue which commemorates the celebrated north-east writer – George MacDonald
- A number of top Scottish authors including William McIlvanney, Iain Banks, Stuart MacBride, Allan Guthrie and AL Kennedy will also be appearing over the course of the weekend
- The Children's Programme for Word, will take place in the CALA Homes Storytelling Teepee tent and the Imagination Tent (sponsored by Marathon Oil U.K., Ltd) on King's Lawn, Old Aberdeen and will feature free events for kids including much-loved authors Janey Jones, Jeremy Strong, Linda Chapman and Julie Hegarty
- An Online Festival giving web-based viewing of all lead events - www.abdn.ac.uk/word/online
- A full programme of Gaelic events including poetry, music and storytelling from some of the best known Gaelic performance artists, including Sheena Blackhall and Angus Peter Campbell
- The Schools Programme will run from the 8 to the 10 May and feature Julie Bertagna, Debi Gliori and Theresa Brelin