James Kelman and Alasdair Gray are two of the big names topping the bill at this year’s WORD Festival at the University of Aberdeen.
The Scots literary heavyweights will be joined by influential Glaswegian writer Janice Galloway, acclaimed Irish poet Michael Longley and a raft of talent from the UK and beyond.
The festival's programme, which can be viewed in full at www.abdn.ac.uk/word/, also includes Mark Millar, the top-selling Marvel comic book writer; folk-rock hero King Creosote; Hardeep Singh Kohli, the TV personality and writer; and Aberdeen legend Willie Miller, who will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Aberdeen FC's European triumph in Gothenburg.
WORD 08 will take place from May 9-11, 2008 in the grounds of the University of Aberdeen and at some of the major arts venues throughout The Granite City.
An expected 11,000 visitors will be treated to a packed weekend of readings, music, art exhibitions, and film screenings from around 50 authors, poets and artists.
Alan Spence, Artistic Director of WORD, said: "Another year, another WORD festival, and once again we've got a fantastic line-up and an even more varied programme of events. There's a strong Scottish and Irish core to it this year, but it's the overall range that's impressive – alongside the more literary events there are art exhibitions, film screenings, word and music events and a theatre production.
"Hardeep Singh Koli shares his wit and wisdom, Mark Millar leads us into the world of comic books, Willie Miller celebrates Aberdeen's European triumph, and King Creosote talks and rocks. Add to that the sheer energy of the Marathon Oil Children's Festival and our strong Gaelic and Doric programming, and you can see why WORD is so highly rated."
Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Aberdeen added: "We are proud that the WORD festival is now firmly established as one of Scotland's most vibrant and popular literary events. WORD continues to make a unique and important contribution to the cultural landscape of the North."
As a precursor to the main WORD weekend, the hugely popular WORD Schools Festival, sponsored by Talisman Energy (UK) Limited, will run from May 6-8. It will include workshops, rapping and readings from a host of children's favourites such as Steve Augarde and Moira Munro.
And as part of the national launch for the WORD Festival 08, an evening reception will also be held at the Consulate General of Ireland in Edinburgh on Thursday night. Alan Spence and Northern Irish novelist Bernard MacLaverty will give a special reading of A Pleasant Flyting by Edwin Morgan at the event, which will be attended by writers, journalists and politicians.
Tickets for all the events at WORD 08 can be booked by contacting Aberdeen Box Office on 01224 641 122 or online at www.abdn.ac.uk/word/tickets
