Sunshine, sold-out events and a wealth of words heralded the end of another hugely successful Word Festival today (Sunday, May 17).
Word 09, sponsored by Talisman Energy, took place from May 15-17 in the grounds of the University of Aberdeen and at some of the major arts venues throughout The Granite City.
A dousing of rain failed to prevent record ticket sales and an estimated 11,000 festival visitors being treated to a packed weekend of readings, music, art exhibitions, and film screenings from over 60 authors, musicians, poets and artists.
Full houses greeted BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardner and '60s icon and broadcaster Joan Bakewell, while Rebus-creator Ian Rankin and new Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy read to sell-out audiences.
Today (Sunday, May 17), book lovers were treated to appearances from, among others, acclaimed playwrights Liz Lochhead and Colin Teevan; John Boyne, author of the 4 million-selling holocaust drama The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas; tartan noir novelist Christopher Brookmyre; and bestselling American writer Adriana Trigiani.
Alan Spence, Word Artistic Director, said: "At the start of the weekend we thought the weather might put a dampener on events but instead there was a real blitz spirit.
"We had twice as many events at this year's festival and the feedback we had from authors and audiences was overwhelmingly positive. Without a doubt, it's been the best festival yet.
"Throughout the weekend there were some truly sublime moments, such as Carol Ann Duffy reading as part of a fantastic evening at The Lemon Tree, an event which would have graced any festival in the world.
"We say it again and again, but there really isn't anything like Word anywhere else. The sun reappearing on Sunday was the finishing touch on what was another memorable weekend."
Talisman Energy (UK) Limited Vice President of Legal and PR/CR, Jacquelynn Craw said: "It was an honour for Talisman to be the first ever headline sponsor of the Word Festival. Education and the arts are two of the areas in which we have developed award-winning partnerships with a wide range of organisations, of which the University of Aberdeen's Word Festival is a shining example."
More information at www.abdn.ac.uk/word/