I swore off twitter a year ago but... The righteous outrage around the cancellation of the @AyeWrite festival is not merely a conversation about the merit of literary festivals, or whether Scotland’s first city deserves one. It is much, much bigger than that...
I have watched in horror, as Scotland has haggled over funding for the arts, has closed her libraries, and now has allowed the cancellation of a major literary festival in her largest city. A festival that has a focus on Scottish voices...
@Doug_D_Stuart @AyeWrite They just need to reframe their trauma and resubmit the proposal. The attached is an example of the sort of project that DOES get funded
@Doug_D_Stuart @AyeWrite Can't find a Book Festival? How odd since they are taking place throughout the year over the length & breadth of Scotland & its islands. literaturealliancescotland.co.uk/events/find-a-…
@Doug_D_Stuart @problemofpains @AyeWrite Totally agree. Part of the trouble is an imbalance between the two cities. Edinburgh has all the national institutions and one of the world's biggest festivals. The Scottish Government and its quangos need to be aware of this and act accordingly.
@Doug_D_Stuart @AyeWrite In South Lanarkshire. Libraries closing. All those babies, mums, dads, grannies, grandpas, missing out on the Book Bug sessions that inspired my kids & built up friendships & support beyond the foundational act of reading. And that's just one element of our libraries' function.
@Doug_D_Stuart @AyeWrite You’re right Douglas, it’s an attack on Scotland’s written culture & disadvantages people from poorer communities in Glasgow & WoS, that Aye Write reached @CreativeScots