what: founded in 1983, the Edinburgh International Book Festival is a key event in the August Festival season celebrated annually in Scotland's capital city. During its 21-year history, the Book Festival has grown uninterruptedly in size and scope to become the largest and most dynamic festival of its kind in the world. Each year writers from all over the world gather to become part of this unique forum in which audience and author meet to exchange thoughts and opinions on some of the world's most pressing issues. In 2003, the festival welcomed 185,000 visitors.

All proceeds from the sale of books are invested back into the running of the Book Festival, a not-for-profit charity organisation which annually raises 80% of it's own funds. Together with its counterparts, the International, the Jazz, the Fringe and the Film Festivals, the Edinburgh International Book Festival forms what is now widely regarded as one of the biggest and best arts festivals in the world.

for children: running alongside the general programme is the Children's Programme, which has grown to become a leading showcase for children writers and illustrators. Incorporating workshops, storytelling, panel discussions, author events and book signings, the Children's Programme is popular with both the public and schools alike and now ranks as the world's premier books and reading event for young people.

for all pockets: lots of free daily events and activities are available all during the Festival. These include:

• daily storytellers and poets for adults and children;



• daily signings in the ‘Authors' Signing Tent’ where you can meet the finest writers from around the world and get your favourite book signed by its author;



• books for babies, events engaging half hour sessions of stories, songs and rhymes for babies and children under 3 years.