Madam, – I am sure that Jack Gilligan (August 29th) welcomes all opportunities for writers and readers, and celebrates the new opportunities created over recent years. I agree with him that a more co-ordinated approach is, however, needed.
I hope we will see more literary festivals developing throughout urban and rural Ireland, particularly utilising our internationally renowned literary heritage – Catherine Lockerbie, recently retired director of the Edinburgh Book Festival, told me there were 30 book festivals in Scotland alone, and over 200 in England. We can only begin to imagine the benefits of these events.
We created the Dublin Book Festival following years of research and trials, and looked to Edinburgh as an example of what could be moulded for Dublin. We developed a model that combines author promotion and book selling, with reader development and the promotion of literature. The success is apparent. Over three days this past March, more than 10,000 people attended Dublin’s City Hall to meet more than 100 Irish writers in the second annual Festival. There was widespread print and broadcast media interest, including generous coverage from our media partner, The Irish Times.
The Dublin Book Festival was created to celebrate the best of Irish writing and Irish publishing – because many Irish writers and Irish publishers lamented the lack of opportunities available within the existing literary infrastructure to promote their work. Our hectic programme caters for a vast range of tastes, including poetry, children’s literature, fiction, non-fiction, launches, workshops, industry seminars and tributes to the giants of Irish writing. Gabriel Rosenstock (August 31st) will be aware of the extensive Irish language programme which is integrated throughout the festival.
The best punch line of all – every event in the Dublin Book Festival is free due to the support of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.
The Dublin Book Festival is intrinsically linked with Dublin City’s bid for Unesco City of Literature – of which we are active managers and partners. Literature is Ireland’s greatest artform and it is crucial that we develop our cultural assets. They are a valuable part of the solution to our economic and social woes. – Yours, etc,