Word – University of Aberdeen writers festival is a book festival which takes place every year over a weekend of May, at the historic campus of the University of Aberdeen. Over 40 authors, thinkers and commentators from all over the world come each year to Aberdeen for a three-day celebration of the written word with an energetic mix of readings, discussions, films and exhibitions. There is also a Schools' and Children's festival.
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The University of Aberdeen writers festival originally took place in May, 1999 with a £1,000 grant from the Scottish Arts Council and was “the largest, and most impressive literary event ever held in Aberdeen” according to The Scotsman [1]. The second edition was in 2001, and the festival has been growing every year from this date. In 2009, Word attracted more than 10,000 visitors.[2]. Attendance at the 2010 Festival was in excess of 11,000, with a year of record ticket sales for a weekend of various events – readings, debates, music, exhibits, workshops and film screenings from more than 100 authors, poets, musicians, actors, artists, thinkers and media personalities. The 2010 programme was the most international yet, with Mayan poetry from Guatemala (translated into Scots), one of Poland’s leading novelists, memoires of Sierra Leone, and an annual event on Spanish writing. The international focus was juxtaposed against an equally strong Scottish line-up, including a tribute to the north-east Doric storyteller Stanley Robertson, a series of Tartan Noir events, a debate on the state of the Scottish nation, a Gaelic book launch and children’s storytelling sessions in Gaelic and Doric.
Previous names at the Festival include Nobel laureate Alasdair Gray, Alexander McCall Smith, Louis de Bernieres, Seamus Heaney, Ian Rankin, Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, Lionel Shriver, and Irvine Welsh, as well as a packed series of events for young readers. 2010 marked the 10th Word Festival and brought a memorable line up of events to the North East of Scotland. Furthermore, as part of celebrations to mark the 10th anniversary of Word — the University of Aberdeen Writers Festival - Scottish Opera’s successful Five:15 strand premiered at the event in May for the first time in Aberdeen.[3]
The University of Aberdeen writers festival is held at the King's College Conference Centre, a set of marquees, and other university venues on the historic campus in Old Aberdeen. Some events are held in venues across Aberdeen City and Shire.
Word - University of Aberdeen writers festival website