Book festival celebrates town’s history with special event
Organisers of one of the country’s top book festivals this week launched a new event centred around Irvine.
ReimagiNation: irvine, a partnership between the Edinburgh International Book Festival and North Ayrshire Council, will bring together writers, artists and theatre makers with people who live in the town from August 27 to 29.
The festival marks 70 years since the passing of the Scottish New Towns Act, which saw Irvine blossom from a small fishing community centred around the harbour to become one of the largest towns in the West of Scotland.
Theatre maker Ishbel McFarlane will present sessions of her new performance piece, Plan, an interactive experience in which everyone designs and builds a new community – recreating Irvine for the 21st century.
Residents of the town will also be able to tell their own personal stories to writer, TV presenter and social historian Daniel Gray or to musician and composer Greg Sinclair who will create a personal piece of music for each individual.
Irvine’s own Andrew O’Hagan will chair the debate Irvine: A New Old Town? where people from the town will have the chance to have their stories heard.
And Irvine Unbound will pop into Portal’s cafe offering a cabaret- style two- hour event with live music, hilarious and haunting readings from authors.
Janet Smuth, programme director for the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “We’re delighted to be working with North Ayrshire Council and various local partners to present a special community festival celebrating the stories of this fascinating New Town.
“At a time of increased attention on the town’s unique architecture, urban design and history, we are looking to gather and celebrate the human stories amid the bricks and mortar, looking forward to the future of the town as well as exploring the ideas and circumstances which led to its establishment.”
Audrey Sutton, head of service for connected communities at North Ayrshire Council said: “We are very proud to be involved, to celebrate Irvine both as a new town and as a town rich in heritage and culture.
“The involvement of Scottish authors, including local writers, mixing with local schools, musicians and audiences in one of our wonderful venues gives North Ayrshire the opportunity to take part in the world’s biggest book festival without leaving Irvine.”
ReimagiNation: Irvine takes place from August 27 to 29. For more visit www. booked. edbookfest. co. uk.