A much-loved part of the West End calendar, the Byres Road Book Festival returns this September Weekend.
By Tracy Mukherjee
Six years in and the Byres Road Book Festival continues to flourish. The Visit West End festival is completely free and sees our literary love affair with reading take centre stage. There are events, guest author appearances, launches. And with a real mission to ensure children grow to love books just like their parents, it’s a huge family affair.
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This year’s line-up sees acclaimed poet and author Michael Pedersen partner with Stuart Murdoch from Belle and Sebastian. The opening event takes place on Thursday the 25th of September. The opening will be chaired by Nicola Meighan at Hillhead Library. On Friday 26th September, award-winning author Maisie Chan will share her new children’s book Nate Yu’s Blast From The Past.
The main events over the weekend combine factual books with contemporary literature, screenwriting with non-fiction. It’s fair to say the book festival is as eclectic as our book shelves. Glasgow on a Plate will see a panel of celebrated chefs discuss the stories behind their favourite dishes, with the likes of Giovanna Eusebi and Aurelien Mourez sharing their love of cooking. Also on Saturday, award-winning journalist and author Peter Ross (A Tomb with a View, The Passion of Harry Bingo) discusses his books and journalistic career.
On Sunday, a delight for all Jane Austen fans. Andrea Gibb and Aisling Walsh, the screenwriter and director will discuss how they adapted ‘Miss Austen’ by Gill Hornby from page to screen on the BBC earlier this year. With author Chris McQueer also in conversation on Sunday, it’s a really exciting schedule.
With a host of programmes for children throughout the weekend, there is something for everyone.
Brimming with Talent and Creativity
Those taking part are thrilled to be part of the event. Maisie Chan, award-winning children’s author says,
‘I’m so thrilled to be part of the Byres Road Book Festival again! I can’t wait to meet young readers and share my new book with them. Living in the West End is brilliant — there is so much on our doorstep to see and do. It’s a fantastic local book festival with a real community feel, and best of all — it’s FREE!’
Michael Pedersen, author and Edinburgh’s Makar (Poet Laureate), says,
‘Glasgow’s West End is a big hitter when it comes to live arts and cultural sparks. From a book-lover’s perspective, it’s at its zenith during the Byres Road Book Festival. What a fantabulous throng of literary splendour this year’s programme is. I’m elated to be bringing my debut novel into that mix alongside one of Scotland most sublime lyricists / now a sensational novelist (Stuart Murdoch of Belle & Sebastian). And we’re just two of many lustrous beings taking part. Not only that, it’s all free! Swoons galore, what a gift.‘
The Byres Road and Lanes Business Improvement District, known by their brand Visit West End, are the organisers of the event. In association with Waterstones, the Gaelic Book Council and Glasgow Life, they are able to bring the book festival to the public free of charge.
Bravo Byres Road!
John Turner, Chair of Byres Road and Lanes BID, says,
‘This year’s programme is brimming with talent and creativity, from household names to rising stars, with something to inspire every reader, aspiring writer, food lover and festivalgoer.
Locations for events are now spread along Byres Road, from the book swaps at the Oran Mor, an open evening at the new home of the relocated Oxfam Bookshop and a writing workshop at the University’s Clarice Pears Building.
It’s going to be a great weekend, so why not add to your enjoyment visiting the wide range of eclectic shops, eateries and other businesses that form the heart of Byres Road and the Lanes.‘
With great events like the book festival and christmas events, it’s no surprise that Byres Road made the top 10, in American Express’s list of best high streets for independent businesses 2024. It was the only Scottish street. Make sure to support this fantastic event and get reading!
For more information on the Byres Road Book Festival visit –
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