By Isla McGraw
Denise Mina and Michael Pedersen are among two fan favourites returning to the Byres Road Book Festival next month with Michael saying he’s “chuffed to the cherries and peaches to be back within the fold of the Byres Road Book Festival”. Denise will be in conversation with Louise Welsh and Michael will be joined by Damian Barr.
Through popular demand Jenny Colgan will be back following her last Book Festival appearance in 2022 to open this year’s experience.
The much-loved West End literary festival will take place over the September weekend from the 26th to the 29th with various events to engage, surprise and entertain all ages and interests.
TV judge and presenter Banjo Beale will be talking all things interior design with architect and author Laura Jane Clark.
You can expect many styles of poetry at some of the West End’s most popular locations including Len Pennie, Ross Wilcock at the Curlers Rest and two sessions of spoken word at Òran Mór.
The book festival is produced by the Byres Road Business Improvement District (Visit West End) in partnership with Glasgow Life, the Gaelic Books Council, Waterstones, the Oxfam Bookshop and the Glasgow Grosvenor Hotel, and supported by JACK ARTS Scotland.
The festival is proud of its Gaelic strand and this year’s programme brings together Niall O’Gallagher and Rody Gorman, two Crowned Bards of An Comunn Gàidhealach. Gillebride MacMillan will be sharing his translation of Paddington, and there may be more bears on offer at this event for the young at heart.
Visit West End are delighted to bring you seven events for children at this year’s festival, which include storytelling with Macastory, an activity-based session with Alison Murray and an engaging discussion with award-winning author Juliette Forrest.
The Oxfam Bookshop is hosting a broad range of events with authors including Joy Dakers, Graham Murdoch, Avril Duncan and Steve Logan.
John Turner, Chair of the Byres Road Improvement District, said: “Glasgow is renowned worldwide for its storytelling, poetry and music, with the West End being an important literary hub for the city, so it is fitting that the Byres Road Book Festival is becoming one of the leading events in the city’s cultural calendar.” For more information and to secure your tickets visit www.byresroadbookfestival.com.
