Edinburgh International Book Festival announces 2024 programme FUTURE TENSE as it enters new era at Edinburgh Futures Institute

Edinburgh International Book Festival announces its 2024 programme with the theme Future Tense as it moves into a new era and home at Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI). Taking place from 10-25 August the Festival is the first to unfold under the innovative Directorship of Jenny Niven in the state of the art surrounds of what was Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary.

Along with a change of location, the Festival has been refocused to put fresh perspectives, relevance and active learning in the spotlight, with over 500 events that will empower audiences by bringing new and often opposing points of view together.

In a present full of tensions and seemingly intractable issues, the Festival will create conversations aimed at finding new pathways to change. In ‘Future Tense’, across six elements, we explore how future-oriented thinking, learning across generations and disciplines, and approaching change with curiosity, compassion and imagination, could help us untangle the huge systematic challenges we currently face, both as individuals and as a society. And in an age when transparency is key, the programme will tackle topics that directly impact the Festival, from ethical funding to sustainability, as well as topics that impact those living locally and those living in crisis, both at home and across the world. And at a time when so much information is gathered online and shared within the echo chambers of social media, this year’s programme offers audiences increased opportunity to engage and swap ideas and knowledge, in person, and interactively.

Jenny Niven, Director at Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “I am enormously proud of the programme we have created for this year, our first Festival in our new home at the Edinburgh Future’s Institute.

Our programme Future Tense speaks to the complexity of the moment we’re in, but hopefully also brings some optimism – the world is full of brilliant, insightful people working in so many imaginative ways. We’re excited to showcase some of that incredible thinking and writing – and the ways people are working together to solve problems and keep learning.

It’s been an honour to engage with authors, publicists, poets, performers, artists and audience members since I took on this role, and all of these conversations have informed what you will find on site this summer.”

FUTURE TENSE comprises six sub-themes, each exploring and aspect of how we can, or should, change our individual and collective futures:

A TOAST TO THE FUTURE will bring a kaleidoscope of perspectives and expertise, from the hopeful to the momentous, at a special Gala event of readings from writers including Martin MacInnes, Naomi Alderman, Joelle Taylor, Richard Holloway, to EFI’s Chair in the Ethics of Data and AI, Shannon Vallor, who each explore their vision of the future in just 7 minutes.

FUTURE LIBRARY puts The Future Library project centre stage in its 10th anniversary year. Not only does Margaret Atwood, who was the first contributor to this unique library in Norway which comprises work by authors that will remain unread for 100 years, explore her concept of ’Practical Utopia’, there will be a hands-on workshop alongside the announcement of the 2025 Future Library contributor.

GENERATIONS explores our responsibilities to those who come next and acknowledges that we can only plan effectively for the future by understanding what came before. Roman Krznaric and Ella Saltmarshe explore being ‘good ancestors’ and Wales’ first Commissioner for Future Generations shares how policy can support this. And, we’ve created a series of conversations which span generations, including poets Roger McGough with Hollie McNish, and foreign correspondents Allan Little and Jen Stout to hear fascinating insights and anecdotes from writers who share common ground.

AI, DATA AND COMPLEX SYSTEMS includes events like Writing the Wrongs of AI , featuring Pip Thornton, Sam Riviere and Heather Parry, which discusses the findings of a pioneering series of workshops EIBF and the Braid Fellowship have supported bringing together authors, publishers, legal and technical experts to confront the industry challenges and opportunities of the AI revolution; and Page Against the Machine, a fun interactive challenge where AI is put to the test live in the Spiegeltent, by both authors and audience members . Durham University also return with the ReaderBank: the world’s most ambitious study of reading, imagination, and health.

FUTURE ECONOMICS AND POLITICS will ask some of the hardest questions, including; How is capitalism changing? How are we going to finance the green tech revolution we need? With a more unequal world than ever before, how much wealth is too much? Featuring Nobel Prize winner Joseph E Stiglitz, BBC’s chief economics editor Dharshini David, Ken Costa, Ingrid Robeyns, and more, audiences can expect robust debate that allows for all perspectives to be heard.

THE IMAGINATIVE REALM speaks to the fact that sci-fi writers and authors of speculative fiction have been imagining the future for decades and are well placed to advise on where we may be heading. As engineers imagine the workings of new machines, authors, writers and poets imagine how these machines will and do impact the world around them, and audiences can expect the insights and wisdom of first-class writers from across these genres, including R F Kuang, Adrian Tchaikovsky, and Irenosen Okojie.

Along with our hard-hitting programming, and in contrast to the seemingly never ending negative news cycle, How to Live a Meaningful Life invites authors and audiences to come together to explore what makes it all worth it, with a series of events delving into philosophy, joy and the utmost of pleasures – food. We’ll reflect On Creativity with Rachael Sermanni, to On Paying Attention with Olesya Khromeychuk, and On Making It Count with Oliver Burkeman, among many more.

Part of How to Live a Meaningful Life, is Table Talks, a strand featuring the delicious combination of food demos, conversation and specially created menus in an intimate setting, delivered by some of the world’s best chefs and food writers. Taking place at Elliott’s Studio just across The Meadows from EFI, audiences can expect experiences with the likes of Palestinian chef and author Sami Tamimi; Pam Brunton, head chef of Michelin Green Starred restaurant, Inver; first generation farmer and internet sensation Julius Roberts; Rachel Roddy – who writes delicious dispatches from her kitchen in Rome; owner of London’s Darjeeling Express restaurant (and one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People for 2024), Asma Khan; the person who transformed the mid-week meal with her one pan revolution, Rukmini Iyer; and eternally curious travel writer and critic Caroline Eden.

Of course, the Festival will continue to deliver once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to; see some of the world’s greatest novelists (Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie, Lauren Groff and Karl Ove Knausgård); hear from debut authors (Lorraine Kelly); glimpse the lives of famous faces from varying walks of life (including Front List appearances from James O’Brien, Alice Osman and Dolly Alderton); and not least the chance to have cherished copies of favourite books signed in person by many attending authors. Poetry is in fantastic shape in this year’s line up too with Natalie Diaz, Michael Ondaatje, Ray Antrobus, Jenni Fagan, Sean Hewitt, Gerald Murnane, Andrew McMillan and Kathleen Jamie, and many more all on the bill.

With more people voting in 2024 than in a single year ever before in history, Voterama: Elections, Democracy and Geopolitics explores both UK and international politics and the changing face of democracy itself. Leading voices Jess Phillips, Caroline Lucas, Alistair Campbell will help unpack the UK election, and David van Reybrouck, Ingrid Robeyns and Ed Wong broaden our horizons internationally. Marianna Spring illuminates misinformation and Mona Chalabi makes complex information visually stunning. In the 25th year of devolution Mark Drakeford and First Minister John Swinney swap perspectives; and Andy Burnham gives his view from the North. Long standing friend of the Festival Raja Shehadeh, Nathan Thrall and Avi Shlaim share first hand perspectives on Israel, and Palestine, in what will undoubtedly be powerful conversations. And in partnership with Beyond Borders Scotland, we look directly at peacebuilding and conflict resolution with those working first hand and at the highest level – exploring everything from the Islamic principles of peace-making, to UN diplomacy, and the impact on the climate. Asking the hard question ‘how does conflict ever actually become resolved?’ audiences will hear from a range of experts including Mark Muller Stuart KC, Andrew Gilmour, and Ebrahim Rasool.

Marking the 200th anniversary of James Hogg’s seminal work The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner, Justified Sinner 200 will re-examine this iconic story of the Calvinist Robert Wringham who believes that his place in Heaven is predestined. At once a bold exploration of the darkest parts of the human soul, and a wildly creative novel, we have commissioned a series of equally bold reimaginings to explore its relevance and resonance today. Kirsty Logan, Esther Swift, and folksinger Kirsty Law reset the text in a contemporary Scottish cult, acclaimed theatre company Grid Iron and Ray Interactive create an immersive walking tour through Edinburgh’s old town (featuring voiceovers from none other than Louise Welsh), Stewart Laing and Pamela Carter bring us Extraordinary Trash: A Theatre Essay revisiting their own iconic reworking of Hogg via Paul Bright, and there are a range of interactive, immersive experiences inspired by this title in August, none of which are to be missed.

And finally, making the most of our new location in the midst of the Festival City, the Spiegeltent returns by popular demand with Back to Ours – a strand of evening and late night events ranging from performance to poetry, comedy to podcasting, and everything in between. Whether it’s belly laughs courtesy of BAFTA Best Comedy Writer awardee Jack Rooke (of Channel 4’s uproarious series Big Boys), being a book Weirdo with Sara Pascoe and Cariad Lloyd, rocking out to Festival favourites the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers, or dancing the night away with a rollicking ceilidh to round the festival off, there is something for everyone to come back for.

For those engaging with the world of literary festivals for the first time and taking their first step in their writing career, the Festival continues to provide unrivalled resources and workshops aimed at demystifying the industry. From discussions on AI, sustainability, audiobooks and pitching sessions, aimed at editors, publishers, festival organisers, translators, and other experts, this year’s programme features a dedicated three-day lineup of panels, showcases, and receptions. Aimed at those working within the publishing industry this years’ Industry Days & Global Ink events also tackle one of the trickiest things for an author to do – take their work outwith the confines of their own country.

Finally, at a time when the amount and wide-ranging nature of the news can be overwhelming, the Festival introduces First Edition, a daily discussion of the morning headlines and issues of the day with a local member of the media, hosted in the Spiegeltent and free for all. And the new (Lunch) Box Fresh sessions will take place at lunchtime and feature readings from new and vibrant talent in partnership with Scottish Book Trust, Glasgow Women’s Library, Scottish Poetry Library, and Jenny Brown Associates.

Alan Bett, Head of Literature and Publishing at Creative Scotland said: “This year marks Edinburgh International Book Festival’s first year in their new home and the inaugural year under Director Jenny Niven. Welcoming in this new era, the festival has curated a bold and ambitious programme engaging many of the critical issues facing the world today. To do that, they are bringing together international authors with both Scotland’s own world-renowned talent and our exciting emerging literary voices. The Futures Institute events will nurture a love of books and reading for all ages. Additionally, there are valuable programme strands highlighting the significance of community work, extending the festival’s influence beyond its new location.”

Our new site at EFI

Opened in 1729 Edinburgh’s old Royal Infirmary is one of the city’s most beloved buildings and with huge care, has been brought into the 21st century as Edinburgh’s Futures Institute, a futures-focused space for learning, research, and innovation at the University of Edinburgh, and new home of Edinburgh International Book Festival.

In addition to enjoying events in brand new, state-of-the-art theatres, audiences and visitors can find a plethora of places to read, relax, meet and converse throughout this grand and iconic building, as well as across the specially designed, grassy courtyard that unfolds at the south of the venue, making the Festival site a destination worthy of lingering this summer.

Located just off The Meadows in the leafy heart of the city, the Festival’s new home is a stone’s throw from key Fringe venues at George Square and the home of the Edinburgh International Festival at the Hub.