Welcome Failte oirbh
Our annual festival is now a well-established and popular mainstay of Nairn’s summer season and one of Scotland’s premier book and arts events. Thanks to the continuing generosity of our patrons in difficult funding circumstances we are able to offer another rich and varied programme.
Inside you will find an exciting programme of writers, drama, films, workshops and lectures. Fred Macaulay fills our comedy slot. There are many new writers and we are honoured and delighted to welcome the poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, returning this June along with other popular contributors such as Christopher Brookmyre and A.L. Kennedy. One of our most successful past speakers, winner of the United Nations Prize for journalism, Ishbel Matheson, who now works for the charity Save the Children, will talk about her recent return visit to Darfur.
Gaelic language events include writers Angus Peter Campbell and Meg Bateman; top musicians Iain and Charlie MacFarlane, Ingrid Henderson and Ewan Robertson; and an introductory fun session for people who would like to know more about the Gaelic language.
In addition to our involvement with all the local schools we have formed partnerships with CinemaNairn, Music Nairn, Nairn Literary Institute, Cawdor Castle, and Gordonstoun. EventScotland will once again be sponsoring the prestigious Nairn Open Art Exhibition, alongside many other exhibitions.
Once again we invite you to come along and Catch the Festival Habit. If you do you won’t be disappointed. In fact you could even be delighted.
Moran taing.
John Fyfe, Chairman
Nairn’s celebration of literature, drama, art and music beside the Moray Firth.
The Nairn Book & Arts Festival aims to create energy and excitement through an attractive programme of literary and arts events. As well as bringing high quality writers, artists and performers to the town, it also provides opportunities to showcase local talent. It stimulates awareness of the local area and heritage and promotes the image of Nairn as an arts venue.
The first festival was held in 2004 and was incorporated as a registered charity in April 2005. All directors and committee members work on a purely voluntary basis supported by a part time administrator who was contracted to provide adminstrative & financial services in 2007 due to the growth of the festival and the associated duties.
Gaelic Policy / Poileasaidh Gaidhlig
The Nairn Book and Arts Festival Committee recognise that the Gaelic language is intrinsic to our cultural landscape and an essential element of the Highlands today.
Therefore, from the beginning, since one of our key aims has been to provide opportunities for Gaelic speaking artists and performers, Gaelic has had a presence within the festival programme.
Objectives
To consolidate an annual arts festival in Nairn
To extend the holiday season and encourage more visitors to visit the Highlands
To bring high- profile writers , artists and performers to Nairn
To enable Nairn born and visiting writers, performers and artists to display their talents
To stimulate reading and awareness of the local environment
To involve the people and particularly the children of Nairn in community and cultural events
To develop awareness of local heritage.
