Revealed: Stars coming to Fife for brand new book festival

The organisers of the new festival coming to Fife in May have announced a stacked line-up of stars and events.
Val McDermid at launch of festival.Val McDermid at launch of festival.
Val McDermid at launch of festival.

ReimagiNation: Glenrothes will take place between May 17-19, with the majority of events taking place at or near the Rothes Halls.

Over three days, the festival will feature a range of well-known authors, musicians, poets and more, celebrating everything from crime writing and football, to the stories of the people of Glenrothes.

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Our gallery above reveals the big names coming to town for the festival.

ReimagiNation: Glenrothes is the latest part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival’s five-stop tour of Scotland’s new towns, marking the 70th anniversary of the Scottish New Towns Act and the 70th birthday of Glenrothes.

The programme of events, put together by the Book Festival, was developed following a survey of Glenrothes residents.

And not all events will be limited to the Rothes Halls. Architectural historian Diane Watters will be giving a guided walk of Glenrothes, and there will also be activities for children.

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Artist Tanya Roberts, who has worked on comic books such as Star Wars: The Clone Wars and How to Train Your Dragon, will be running a workshop helping attendees develop their very own comic book characters.

And 21 Years of Harry Potter Magic will celebrate the wonderful world of the teenage wizard. Children will get the chance to take part in some of the key elements of life at Hogwarts.

Other highlights include An Evening of Whisky, Words and Music, which is exactly what it sounds like.

And, closing off the book festival, attendees will be treated to a performance from the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers. The band, formed of top crime writers turned music stars, includes Val McDermid, Doug Johnstone and Luca Veste.

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Janet Smyth, programme director, said: “We’re excited to announce this particular line-up for ReimagiNation: Glenrothes developed specifically with the thoughts and wishes of the town’s residents in mind.”

While the festival will be celebrating everything from football to whisky, the main focus of the event is Glenrothes itself.

At two events in particular, the town will be discussed and debated.

Debate: Glenrothes – A New Day, hosted by writer Richard Holloway, will look at the history and future of Glenrothes.

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The debate will be the fourth hosted in one of Scotland’s new towns, following similar festivals held in Cumbernauld, East Kilbride and Irvine.

The panel will feature historian Diane Watters, community artist and founder of the Recoat Design Amy Whiten, and Glenrothes MSP Jenny Gilruth.

While at Tales of Your Town, hosted by social historian Daniel Gray, attendees will get the chance to hear and see how others in the community feel about Glenrothes.

The event will be the culmination of a three month project by Daniel, which will be challenging local people, including school pupils and members of local groups, to find new ways to tell their tales of the town.

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Janet added: “Local voices entwine with nationally significant writers and performers to mark 70 years since the Scottish New Towns project began to re-shape the post-war country.

“Having travelled from Cumbernauld to Irvine and East Kilbride it has been fascinating to see how these distinct communities have played a part in the shaping of a post-industrial Scotland and to see how each has shaped their individual identities from the original common vision.

“Glenrothes is the penultimate stop on our journey and ReimagiNation is all about looking at the places we thing we know in new ways, and we hope the people of Glenrothes and book lovers everywhere will feel inspired by the stories that are shared at the festival.”

Both events are free to attend but tickets, which can be bought online, are required.

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For more details about the festival, which is being supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery, visit the website here.

Tickets to the events go on sale today (Wednesday) on the site, through the OnFife website, or by phoning 01592 611101. Most tickets cost £5 (£3 for concessions).

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