Edinburgh International Book Festival opens with ‘Changing Your Mind’ theme

The Edinburgh International Book Festival has officially commenced with an opening gala featuring the theme ‘Changing Your Mind’. The theme explores the shifting nature of ideas, beliefs, and identities.

Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic, Màiri McAllan, opened the event alongside festival director Jenny Niven. The festival, which runs through the end of August, is expected to feature approximately 600 events with participants from 41 different countries.

The festival receives financial support from the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland’s multi-year funding programme, as well as Expo Funding and the Expanded Festivals Fund. This year’s programme includes a Global Ink industry programme, which brings literary festival leaders from four continents to Edinburgh for an international forum.