The Edinburgh International Book Festival began in 1983 and is now a key event in the August Festival season, celebrated annually in Scotland’s capital city. Biennial at first, the Book Festival became a yearly celebration in 1997.

Throughout its 27-year history, the Book Festival has grown rapidly in size and scope to become the largest and most dynamic festival of its kind in the world. In its first year the Book Festival played host to just 30 ‘Meet the Author’ events. Today, the Festival programmes over 700 events, which are enjoyed by people of all ages.

An important feature of the Book Festival’s programme is a high profile debates and discussions series. Each year writers from all over the world gather to become part of this unique forum in which audience and author meet to exchange thoughts and opinions on some of the world’s most pressing issues.

Together with its counterparts, the International Festival, the Jazz Festival, the Fringe, the Art Festival, the Film Festival and the Edinburgh Mela, the Edinburgh International Book Festival forms what is now widely regarded as the biggest and best arts festival in the world.