Chris Gordon reflects on visiting UNESCO City of Literature Edinburgh

Readings’ Event Manager Chris Gordon recently travelled to Edinburgh as part of a Cities of Literature exchange program with Melbourne. Here, she reflects on the trip and shares what she read while travelling.


I recently travelled to Edinburgh as part of a Cities of Literature exchange program with Melbourne. The days were packed with meetings and I was joined by a host of other literary programmers, librarians, community workers, festival directors and more. What an absolute treat it all was.

On the flight over to Edinburgh I read The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer. I’m sure that many of you have already read this excellent, thought-provoking book. For me, it was a perfect aeroplane read, and went very well with with my gin and tonic and neck pillow.

Within a day of arriving, I was meeting with various Scottish authors and poets that were all part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Here, I am standing with everyone’s favourite, Alexander McCall Smith in the author’s yurt. Yep, you read that right. The Book Fair’s author’s yurt. His latest book (he does write one every year it seems) is actually an edited collection of poems titled: A Gathering: A Personal Anthology of Scottish Poems. Look out for it in early October because it includes language that will haunt the heart. The poems range from early ballads, through to works by towering figures such as Robert Burns, Hugh MacDiarmid and Edwin Morgan.

Also pictured here is the night we were treated to a performance by Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin’s band! Did you know his new book, In a House of Lies is downright scary and awfully good?

Throughout the whole trip, I was charmed by the hospitality of the Scottish people. I was especially impressed with their enthusiasm for finding the means to acknowledge indigenous voices, their neighbour’s voices and generally, to ensure that their programs were artistic, inclusive, diverse and challenging.

On Opening Night, Edinburgh International Book Festival Director Nick Barley spoke movingly about the importance of festivals in breaking down barriers and ensuring voices are heard from across our planet. To ensure that his festival answered this call, he invited other festival directors from across the world to join him, and to share collaboration and funds. There was a deliberate global context to every event, a desire to be relevant and to assume the very best in everyone. I’ve recently been concerned that here in Australia, we have lost some of that hospitality and kindness. It was refreshing and inspiring to be around such open hearts and it felt like a stark contrast to home.

On the way back – full of memories of parties, kilts, cloudy skies and tremendous beer – I read Liane Moriarty’s new book, Nine Perfect Strangers (available 18 September). This novel was ideal to read during time spent in transit and discomfort. The beauty of Moriarty’s writing is that her characters are always relatable, and there’s always a fast-paced, rip-roaring plot. Her latest work is a wonderfully quick read that will make you laugh, wince and sigh with relief; it certainly helped the long long journey to home.

As to Scotland, I raise my sadly now empty pint glass, and solute your authors, your programmers and your artists for such generosity and courage in the face of petty global nasties.


Chris Gordon is the events manager for Readings.

Cover image for In a House of Lies

In a House of Lies

Ian Rankin

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