Literary stars to shine at Boswell-inspired festival
THE only literary festival dedicated to memoir and biography, inspired by the Scottish biographer and diarist James Boswell, has unveiled its programme for 2016.
As well as featuring the memories and lives of actors, comedians, writers and war veterans, the Boswell Book Festival, staged at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, is just part of an ambitious scheme to further celebrate the life of the world-famous 18th century diarist who is best known for his Life of Samuel Johnson.
Caroline Knox, the director of the festival which runs from May 6 to 8, said plans to further mark the life and final resting place of the writer – who is buried in the Boswell Mausoleum in Auchinleck churchyard – have been developed by the Boswell Trust.
Founded in 2010 the trust’s aim is to promote “heritage, literary arts and education, and specifically to restore James Boswell’s Mausoleum in Auchinleck Churchyard to create a visitor attraction in the adjoining, 17th-century Boswell Aisle”.
The square neo-classical mausoleum, built in 1754 with a stone pyramid roof, houses the remains of Boswell and his immediate family.
Ms Knox said plans were being further developed and it is hoped that the Churchyard can be promoted as a tourist and cultural attraction.
Speakers at the festival, for which The Herald is media partners, include the actor Martin Jarvis, who will be reprising his roles from Just William and Jeeves and Wooster, as well as talking about his career on stage and screen.
Ms Knox said: “Our unique theme – ‘biography and memoir’ – chosen in homage to the great Ayrshire writer James Boswell, has led us to uncover the amazing variety of life stories in this year’s programme, marking us out from all other book festivals.”
The programme for the weekend also includes 87-year-old super-model Daphne Selfe, Philip Mould from the Antiques Road Show, the founder of award-winning charity Mary’s Meals, Magnus Macfarlane-Barrow, as well as James Naughtie, Mona Siddiqui, Charles Moore, A N Wilson, Ben Stewart, Erwin James, Gavin Francis, Ferdinand Mount and architect Charles Jencks.
Dr Gordon Turnbull will be speaking about Boswell.