Article Source: Book Week Scotland
First Published: 29 October 2020 8:59
Updated: 29 October 2020 8:59
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, has worked closely with partners to ensure the celebration will go ahead this year in a digital format due to the current pandemic.
Book Week Scotland is the country’s biggest celebration of reading and writing and it returns for its ninth year from Monday 16 November to Sunday 22 November. Although there will be no face-to-face events this year, the Digital Festival has a stellar line-up including award-winning author Denise Mina; actress and comedian Ruby Wax; bestselling crime writer Louise Welsh and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
To kick off the programme, writer Luke Winter joins Book Week Scotland for Dial a Story, a live writing service that will take place in Edinburgh on Monday 16 November. Stationed at the Scottish Book Trust phonebox, Luke will be available to write personalised stories on his typewriter, which will be mailed to the participant. Members of the public can call Luke on 07818 173 266 between 11am and 2pm.
There will also be the opportunity for the public to take part in an online treasure hunt via Scottish Book Trust’s social media for the chance to win a Zoom appointment with Luke Winter. During the session, he will write a unique story for the winner: a perfect Christmas present for a loved one or friend.
An avid reader herself, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will join #BookShelfChat: sharing favourites from her own bookcase. The public are also encouraged to join in on Tuesday 17 November by sharing photographs of their own bookshelves using the hashtag.
Libraries and community groups across Scotland are also taking part in Book Week Scotland, with digital events in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire.
50,000 free copies of the Future book, which includes real life stories from people around the country, will be available from libraries and other community venues during Book Week Scotland. A selection of 30 stories are featured in the book, which also includes work from author Abir Mukherjee of A Rising Man and poets Romalyn Ante of Antiemetic for Homesickness and Dean Atta of Black Flamingo.
The Book Week Scotland 2020 programme will be live from Wednesday 28 October, 10am.
British sign language and closed captions will be available for all the panel events.
Runrig's sell-out farewell concerts, filmed live in front of 50,000 fans by BAFTA-winning Glasgow-based digital entertainment company, Blazing Griffin, receives its UK TV premiere on Sky Arts!
With schools closed to most pupils, some of Scotland's most popular visitor attractions are offering homeschooling help to parents across the country!
The Stroke Association in Scotland is encouraging local residents to get involved in its 'Stride for Stroke' challenge, to walk 10,000 steps a day for 120 days.
Bonnie Bairn, Scotland's Premier Pregnancy & Family Fair is set to take place online for the first time ever, encouraging a nation of parents to #ShopLocal from the comfort of their own home.
Glasgow City Council is looking for a team of around 1000 volunteers to support the staging of this globally significant event.
The Data Lab is calling on organisations contributing towards Scotland’s reputation of being at the cutting edge of innovative technology to share their successes to mark Datafest21.
The UK’s leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, teamed up with the Stroke Association to mark Stroke Prevention Day.
Scotland's biggest staycation event, The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show, is going online for 2021 in a free virtual event!
With over 10,000 festival passes already sold, 44 countries from around the world will be tuning in to tonight's Celtic Connections Opening Concert!
Edinburgh’s award-winning Wedgwood the Restaurant is the first restaurant in the UK to launch a ‘Burns Box’, available nationwide, to celebrate Burns Night (25th January) in lockdown.
Glasgow Philharmonia are well known for their big performances up and down the country... but for the first time ever, they have released a charity single!
Specialist charity SBH Scotland is joining forces with international superstar Fran Healy, as well as Scottish comedians Janey Godley & Fred MacAulay to host the world's biggest virtual Burns supper!
The Celtic Connections online festival will begin one week today. Across 19 days, the festival will present over 30 online performances between 15th January and 2nd February!
Brisbane Observatory, Govanhill Baths and The Ridge Foundations CIC are among the latest round of Historic Environment Support Fund recipients!
Gather the family around the TV this Christmas and join in the usual fun and frolics of a Pavilion Panto!
In light of the new Tier restrictions, the Scottish company behind one of the UK's largest drive-in tours, The Parking Lot Social, has been forced to cancel all dates in Scotland for the rest of 2020.
Rapunzel, the innovative new festive film from the National Theatre of Scotland, created in a first-time partnership with Historic Environment Scotland, is set to hit screens this month!
A Scottish literature charity this week publishes an anthology of poetry that gives voice to some of Scotland's unheard groups and voices.
Nature-inspired photography competition winners announced by Loch Lomond Shores.
Launching on December 14th, ‘Adventure To Your Desktop’ is a five-day online festival bringing to life the best of Scotland, through how-tos, cook-alongs and masterclasses from Scottish talent.
Dance Base Scotland present a night of performance, movement and celebration, all filmed from their studios in Edinburgh and streamed to audiences across the world.
Associated community trusts and SPFL clubs across Scotland are bringing Christmas cheer to those that need it most this year with a new-look initiative designed to support isolated older people.
itison launch their annual Social Bite fundraiser, donate £5 to buy a meal for the homeless.
Quarriers has launched its annual Box of Hope Appeal to support homeless young people this winter.
Celtic Connections has announced the first list of artists who will perform as part of their digital-first festival this January!
A survey conducted by Macdonald Hotels, parent company of Macdonald Holyrood Hotel, reveals the activities Brits will miss the most this festive season.
Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre retailer, has brought forward its official 'Bring your Christmas Tree Home Day' to December 5th as the public get into the Christmas spirit earlier than normal!
The artistic talents of two people supported by Quarriers are being displayed on the charity's Christmas card for 2020.
Four new dates have been added to this year's Drive In Movies Christmas following huge demand!
Graham's The Family Dairy supports Scottish restaurants and the hospitality industry by launching an online Christmas Gift competition!