SWNSA major Scottish book festival has been saved by a donation on behalf of a late Euromillions lottery winner.
An “unexpected” donation from the Colin Weir Charitable Foundation has allowed Aye Write to confirm stand-alone events in a smaller-scale version of the festival.
The literary event, organised by Glasgow Life, will go ahead after £65,000 was donated by the charity in Mr Weir’s name, who died in December 2019.
It was confirmed in March that the festival was not successful in its funding application to Creative Scotland for the event to go ahead this year.
The planned “pop-up” events taking place starting next month include crime writer Val McDermid in conversation with former first minister Nicola Sturgeon at The Old Fruitmarket on May 21.
Actors Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson will also appear at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on August 8.
Aye WriteWee Write, the festival for children and young people, will also go ahead this autumn.
Bailie Annette Christie, chair of Glasgow Life, said: “Aye Write is a much-loved festival, which is apparent from the outpouring of support over the past few weeks.
“The generous donation from the Colin Weir Charitable Foundation means it can continue to have a positive impact on Glaswegians and people throughout Scotland.”
A spokesman for the Foundation said: “We are pleased to be able to support Aye Write to put on a programme of great events in 2024.
“It was unthinkable that Aye Write should be silenced until next year.
“Happily, the donation means that won’t be the case.”
Glasgow Life said it is continuing to develop a multi-year funding application to Creative Scotland for future festivals and if successful, the event will return in full in 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Tickets for the summer festival go on sale at 10am on Wednesday, April 17 and can be purchased here.
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