PICTURES: Community comes together at official launch party of Nairn Book and Arts Festival
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There was a good turnout for the launch of this year’s Nairn Book and Arts Festival programme.
The launch took place at the town’s Muthu Newton Hotel where the full line-up for the late-summer event was revealed, with tickets now on sale on the festival’s website.
Author Cynthia Rogerson – who was shortlisted for this year’s Highland Book Prize – took those in attendance through the long list of exciting events, talks and workshops which will run in Nairn from August 30 to September 3.
Festival chairman Sean Lusk said: “As always, the Nairn Book and Arts Festival is a celebration of all the arts, not just a book festival. So we have fantastic authors but we also have arts exhibitions, free events to encourage families to come along, school activities and events for children. We have plays and music. So it tries to be a celebration of all of the arts, at least as far as we can manage on the limited resources we have.
“This year, we wanted to pick up the theme of ‘the journey’ and migrating – migrating birds and creatures, but also people, people who come here and those who have left the Highlands. Sometimes it’s not always obvious – it can be a personal journey.
“We had a packed room for the launch and saw lots of new faces and a lot of new energy, which is what we need to make sure the festival continues in future years.
“We are a voluntary festival and have a small budget, so the magic happens thanks to our co-ordinator Tanera Bryden and all the volunteers and their efforts.
“It’s something to cherish and to celebrate, particularly when times are hard – we need laughter and inspiration, and we need culture!”
The festival will begin with theatre production A Daunder Through the Thistles at Nairn’s Little Theatre.
To see the full programme and book tickets, visit: www.nairnfestival.co.uk
