Glasgow Times

Major literary festival and Glasgow march for independen­ce cancelled

- BY STEWART PATERSON

THE coronaviru­s outbreak has led to the cancellati­on of a number of events across Glasgow this month.

As well as the football season being suspended, cultural events and marches are among those called off following the latest advice on mass gatherings.

The annual Aye Write book festival in Glasgow has been cancelled after acts pulled out of this month’s event.

The popular festival, held mostly at the Mitchell Theatre, was set to host its first reigning Booker Prize-winner, Bernardine Evaristo.

A Glasgow Life spokespers­on said: “In the last 24 hours it has become clear we can no longer deliver anything like the festival we had promised and in the interests of our audience, authors, publishers, volunteers and staff we have taken the decision not to carry on with this year’s festival at this time.

“We are considerin­g potential options for running some of the programme in the future and will contact ticket holders directly as soon as possible.”

Glasgow Life said that so far it is business as usual at its leisure centres, museums and libraries across the city.

Parades planned in the city have also been axed.

Organisers of a Scottish independen­ce march in Glasgow later this month expect it to be cancelled.

Around 5000 supporters were expected for the parade from Kelvingrov­e Park to Glasgow Green on March 28.

The Scottish Independen­ce Movement, the group organising the parade, said: “We will issue a statement

 ??  ?? Bernardine Evaristo
Bernardine Evaristo

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