Crime writer Val McDermid to launch Scotland’s poetry festival

Fife crime writer Val McDermid has been confirmed to launch this year’s StAnza, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival, in St Andrews.

As well as officially opening the festival on March 4, the Fife writer will share her favourite poetry at StAnza’s first ever Desert Island Poems event.

The five-day festival will get under way with an opening night gala performance, featuring a selection of headline poets reading and performing, intertwined with music, film and art.

StAnza runs from March 4 to 8, with a line-up including internationally acclaimed poets.

Festival director Eleanor Livingstone said: “The countdown is now definitely on for this year’s festival, with the stage set for another fantastic few days celebrating poetry in its many forms.

“We’re thrilled to have a wonderful programme which is bursting with some of the best and newest poetry talent and look forward to welcoming our special guest Val McDermid to launch the festival.”

Among the headline voices performing at next year’s festival are Jen Hadfield, the youngest ever winner of the TS Eliot Prize, American poet, editor and human rights advocate Carolyn Forché, recent winner of the 2019 Juan E Méndez Book Award for Human Rights in Latin America and Anthony Anaxagorou, winner of the 2019 H-100 Award for writing and publishing.

They are joined by British writer, artist, film programmer and activist Jay Bernard and BBC Edinburgh Fringe Slam Champion 2019, Birdspeed.

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased in person, by phone and online.