Religion, Faith and Spirituality at the Edinburgh Summer ... · PDF...

Religion, Faith and Spirituality at the Edinburgh Summer Festivals 2013: A Compilation of Islamicate and Other Events

by Fayaz S Alibhai, University of Edinburgh1

DATE EVENT MORE INFORMATION

31 July

Ali J FRINGE (to 25 Aug) Ali is going to die. Blood on his hands. An obstinate passion. Twenty-‐four hours to live. One final audience, but why would you care? After all, he’s Muslim. A new play direct from its sell-‐out India season. http://bit.ly/edfest1

31 July

Scott Capurro: Islamohomophobia

FRINGE (to 25 Aug) Midlife crisis. Check. Koran jokes. Check. Husband. Checkmate. In Islamohomophobia, award-‐winning comic Scott Capurro, now a married and respectable East London lady, inches closer to self-‐lynching with his tirade against bigotry, fag bashing and Cardiff. 'The most fearless and technically perfect stand up on the circuit' ***** (Guardian). 'Vaingloriously poisonous' ***** (Scotsman). 'Sheer audacity' ***** (Chortle.co.uk). ‘The best way to spend an hour’ ***** (Scotsgay). 'He's evil and should be forced to leave the country' * (Daily Mirror). ‘Comic equation: Larry Grayson x (Lenny Bruce + Chris Rock)’ (Guardian). www.scottcapurro.com http://bit.ly/edfest2

31 Jul

Daniel Cainer: Schtick and Spiel

FRINGE (to 26 Aug) Master songwriter presents more Jewish chronicles, truisms, and sharp wit, set to music. You don’t have to know your schtick from your schmear, your schlep from schlock or your Israel from your Palestine. This one man show is chicken soup for everyone, heartbreakingly poignant and laugh-‐out-‐loud funny. ‘Stories within stories’ (Alan Bennett). ‘Incredibly amusing and even a little bit naughty. Oozes feel-‐good factor and leaves you wanting more. Genius!' **** (ThreeWeeks). 'Shaggy-‐dog storytelling. Lovingly detailed' **** (Time Out). 'A highly gifted songwriter. My favourite troubadour!' (Johnnie Walker, BBC Radio2). http://bit.ly/edfest3

31 Aug

Lockerbie: Lost Voices

FRINGE (to 26 Aug) For the 25th anniversary of the explosion of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, this new play gives voice to six hypothetical passengers before and after the event. A US intelligence agent, a Scottish investigative journalist, a retired couple and a mother and her stepdaughter challenge each other with humour, love and courage to either accept the unacceptable or stand up for their personal truth. In poetic language and with original choral music, they speak from the neutrality of death and shed new light on the worst terrorist attack in the UK. www.the-‐elements.org.uk http://bit.ly/edfest4

1 Outreach PhD Researcher, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World, and Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Edinburgh, July 2013. Email [email protected] Twitter @fayazalibhai

Religion, Faith and Spirituality: Edinburgh Festivals 2013 Fayaz S Alibhai, University of Edinburgh

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1 Aug

Jeff Mirza: Meet Abu Hamsta and Paki Bashir -‐ From Allah with Love

FRINGE (to 25 Aug) British Pakistani comic Jeff Mirza unveils charmingly deranged detained cleric Abu Hamsta, Al Qaida's Entertainment Ambassador to Luton. Osama is not dead -‐ he lives in Magaluf. Paki Bashir -‐ Halal Meat tycoon with Paki Pride. Loves his family -‐ otherwise known as the workforce. European migration means we're all Pakis now. Note: Abu Hamsta would like to clarify that he is no relation to Abu Hamza, who does not come from a line of pet-‐shop owners. Winner of Alhambra Arts Award for Excellence. (Muslim News). 'Brilliant' (Spectator). http://bit.ly/edfest5

1 Aug

Grounded FRINGE (to 25 Aug) She's a hot-‐rod F16 fighter pilot. She's pregnant. Her career in the sky is over. Now, she sits in an air-‐conditioned trailer in Las Vegas flying remote-‐controlled drones over Pakistan. She struggles through surreal 12 hour shifts far from the battlefield -‐ hunting terrorists by day and being a wife and mother by night. Grounded is a gripping, compulsive new play that flies from the heights of lyricism to the shallows of workaday existence. This UK premiere, presented by the Gate Theatre, London, targets our assumptions about war, family, and what it is to be a woman. http://bit.ly/edfest6

1 Aug

Killing Miss D FRINGE (to 15 Aug) Intrepid Israeli reporter Daphna Baram is haunted by her rambunctious alter ego, the luscious Miss D. While Daphna strives to keep fit and healthy, liberate Palestine, win a Pulitzer and find true love, Miss D downs her heart medications with whisky, feasts on men -‐ ranging from the happily married to the criminally insane -‐ and insists that living a lot beats staying alive. Daphna is desperate to get rid of the unruly pest. But is Miss D a killer or a healer? ‘Loud and vivacious’ (ThreeWeeks). ‘Femme fatal with sassy, feminine charm’ (BroadwayBaby.com). http://bit.ly/edfest7

1 Aug

An Anonymous Life...and Some Sketches

FRINGE (to 25 Aug) The escapades of an unknown 50-‐year-‐old British/Irish Arab, who happened to meet many characters along his path in life, from the rich, powerful and famous to those who actually make life interesting. A meandering journey with no direction other than the hedonistic love of sex, drugs, rock ‘n’ roll until the age of 40. Then after marriage, a child and four years of reflection, and at the age of 50 the realisation that the important things in life are the simplest: sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. Just the interpretation and quantities change a little! http://bit.ly/edfest8

1 Aug

The Road to Qatar! FRINGE (to 26 Aug) Two gay New York Jewish writers are commissioned to do the impossible: write a gargantuan Broadway musical for the Emir of Qatar featuring 100 British actors, 30 Qatari camels, 20 Arabian stallions, 17 fire-‐eating Croatian acrobats, 30 Russian ballet dancers, five falcons and Muhammad Ali. What can possibly


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happen? Musical Comedy breaks out in the Middle East! Unbelievable side-‐splitting surprises abound as the New York Jews travel from NYC to Dubai, London, Bratislava as they sing and dance their hilarious way on The Road to Qatar! Aloha Doha -‐ you couldn't make it up! http://bit.ly/edfest9

1 Aug

The Garden of Contemplation

JUST FESTIVAL (to 1 Sep) Come and enjoy the sanctuary and holiness of the garden of contemplation. The prayer stations are set in the grounds of the church designed by the Edinburgh architect Robert Lorimer in 1905. Described as ‘the village church in the city’ it really does feel like an oasis of peace in a busy world. Pray your way around the garden or just sit and enjoy the beauty of creation. The garden and church are one of the city’s hidden gems. http://bit.ly/edfest10

2 Aug

God versus The Mind Reader

FRINGE (to 28 Aug) Mark Cairns can't really read minds. Think of him as a fake psychic who is honest about being a fake. Three years ago, out of the blue, Mark's wife secretly converted to Islam. As someone who spends his life making people believe things that aren't true, Mark sets out to try and understand how his (now) ex-‐wife could suddenly become convinced of the existence of a very specific flavour of imaginary being. An inside look at just what it is that makes humans believe in the unbelievable. Mind-‐blowing, sceptical, intelligent and funny. http://bit.ly/edfest12

2 Aug

An Arab Woman’s View of Life

FRINGE (to 3 Aug) Madame Chabane will give you an insight into the daily life of an Arab woman. She will correct some of the preconceived ideas some may have about it. Amongst other things, she will explain why, in her culture, it's not such a good idea to go by the 'ladies first' attitude. She will tackle various issues such as marriage, divorce, dating and other important issues in the life of an Arab woman. She hopes to make you laugh with her funny style! Come to her show, it will surely be one of a kind. http://bit.ly/edfest13

2 Aug

Timurid Beasties: A Magical Menagerie of Furniture, Rugs, Artefacts and Jewellery

FRINGE (to 1 Sep) With its origins in the artistic traditions of the Timurid dynasty, the depiction of real and fantastical creatures on paper, wood, textiles and carpets continues to this day. The Nomads Tent is proud to present a collection of fine Persian and Afghan carpets, textiles, ceramics, hand-‐painted furniture and interesting artefacts from India, that continue this celebration of the wonderful diversity of the creatures that informed the artistic traditions of south and central Asia. http://bit.ly/edfest14

2 Aug

Behind Closed Doors -‐ Rape: From Blame to

JUST FESTIVAL Studies consistently show that a significant minority of the Scottish public hold attitudes towards rape which blame women for dress


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Prevention and alcohol consumption. This event will explore the role that the media and legal system can play in changing attitudes towards rape, and their possibilities for contributing to rape prevention. Speakers: Alison Di Rollo -‐ The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and Joan Burnie -‐ Daily Record; Chair: Sandy Brindley -‐ Rape Crisis Scotland http://bit.ly/edfest15

2 Aug

Understanding Sufism

JUST FESTIVAL Non-‐muslims often mistake Sufism as a sect of Islam. In fact it is more accurate to say that it is an aspect of Islam. Ibn Khaldun, the 14th century Arab historian described Sufism as ‘… dedication to worship. Total dedication to Allah, most High; disregard for the finery and ornaments of the world;, abstinence from the pleasure, wealth and prestage sought by most men;, and retiring from others to worship alone’. Come along to this discussion given by members of the Scottish Naqshbandi Dhikr group in Edinburgh to find out more. http://bit.ly/edfest16

2 Aug

St John’s Mural JUST FESTIVAL (to 26 Aug) Since 1982, St John's Church has commented on local and global justice issues through murals agreed with and painted by 'Artists for Justice and Peace'. The murals have always sought to say something deeply true and challenging and, therefore, have often been controversial, using conflict as a force for positive change. http://bit.ly/edfest17

2 Aug

Meet your Muslim Neighbour

JUST FESTIVAL Ramadan is a special time of year for Muslims. It is the month of fasting and prayer. Muslims come together at the end of each day to pray and then open their fasts together, for it is said that there are ‘blessings in eating together’. Come along to observe members of the Muslim Community perform their ‘Maghrib’ prayers as the sun sets and then join them for ‘breakfast’ as they break their fasts. Listen to the Imam recite verses from the Quran. Ask questions about the religion and culture … and perhaps make a friend or two. http://bit.ly/edfest18

tbc Meet Your Sikh Neighbour

JUST FESTIVAL The Sikh Community at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Leith invite you to come and experience Sikh worship, hear a short introduction to the Sikh faith and the Gurdwara with the opportunity for questions then we are further invited to join them for Langar (blessed vegetarian community meal). http://bit.ly/edfest19

2 Aug

Sukkat Shalom Services

JUST FESTIVAL (also 9, 16 and 24 Aug) Sukkat Shalom, the Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community, holds erev Shabbat (Friday evening) services, comprising Psalms and traditional prayers. Our morning service (on Saturday) includes a Torah service, when we read from our scroll. All services use Hebrew and English, and involve singing. Services conclude with Kiddush, when we make traditional blessings over bread and wine.


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Men and women sit together. Almost all men and many women wear a kippah (skullcap). Visitors are invited to do so too. http://bit.ly/edfest20

3 Aug

Beyond West FRINGE (to 25 Aug) Singer /songwriter Susanna takes the listener from the Hebrides to the deserts of Iraq, and onto a nameless street corner. Using the Indian harmonium and guitar she performs original songs, Scottish ballad and compositions of Indian Raga. Yet her main instrument is her three octave spellbinding voice and is often compared to Lisa Gerard and Kate Bush. This one woman show is like a meeting of East and West, the rational and the intuitive, the conscious and the unconscious. ‘A strong and flexible voice, with a creative musicality in her songs and improvisations’ (Frankie Armstrong). www.susannaorrholland.com http://bit.ly/edfest21

3 Aug

Ethics Over Profit -‐ Fairtrade Matters

JUST FESTIVAL Fairtrade is now a well-‐recognised and trusted label, putting pressure on international corporations to be ethical. Yet, are the public well-‐informed about the current Fairtrade standards? How are the fairtrade businesses addressing their international impact? And, in what way are Scottish and other businesses affected by continuing unfair trading practices? Followed by an open discussion. Speakers: Senga Gall -‐ Equal Exchange, Rachel Farey -‐ Edinburgh Fairtrade City Initiative, Mohammad Zaman -‐ MADE in Europe. Chair: Helen Rothwell -‐ Scottish Fair Trade Forum http://bit.ly/edfest22

3 Aug

Discover Iran and Persia

JUST FESTIVAL (also 5, 7, 12, 14, 19 and 21 Aug) A mix of feature films and documentaries looking at the history, culture and customs of Persia and Iran. Travel through Persia’s seven thousand years of civilisation; explore its artefacts, traditions, poetry, crafts and Sufi Whirling Dervishes. Relax in the Persian Tent and learn about its rich history and fascinating people. http://bit.ly/edfest23

3 Aug

Just Faith Explorers JUST FESTIVAL (also 10, 17, 24 Aug) Packed with fun for all ages. We believe that we grow best when we share the journey with as many different people and learn about as many different faiths as possible. Each session includes storytelling, fun craft activities, time to reflect and share food. Held in a variety of faith venues in Edinburgh. http://bit.ly/edfest24

4 Aug

Intercake! JUST FESTIVAL (to 6 Aug) Are you ‘into' cake? Are you a pudding prodigy? Celebrate the diversity of sweet tastes with us in this cake bake sale, masterclass and pudding party featuring cakes and desserts from different cultures. The proceeds from all sales will go to just 2013 charities Mary’s Meals and Waverley Care. http://bit.ly/edfest25


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4 Aug

Mindful Peace Walk in Princes Street Gardens

JUST FESTIVAL ‘We walk just for walking. We walk with freedom and solidity, no longer in a hurry. Let us enjoy every step we make.’ Thich Nhat Hanh. This silent walking meditation will be led by members of the Edinburgh Sangha of the Community of Interbeing, who follow the practice of Zen Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Before the walk begins there will be a brief introduction to mindful walking as meditation practice. Children are welcome when accompanied by adults. http://bit.ly/edfest26

5 Aug

The Underdogs FRINGE (to 18 Aug) Two dudes, one stage. One born in Egypt but beaten up on the streets of East LA. The other born in Preston but beaten up on the streets of ... Preston. http://bit.ly/edfest27

5 Aug

Faith Today -‐ A World Without Religion

JUST FESTIVAL Imagine there is no religion... Would the world be as one or remain divided? What alternative do humanism, atheism or agnosticism offer? Can a happy medium between state religions or secular states be found? Would no religion bring chaos and immorality once structures and strictures shared by faith groups are no longer imposed? Speakers: Professor Richard Holloway -‐ former Bishop of Edinburgh in the Scottish Episcopal Church, Tim Maguire -‐ Humanist Society Scotland, Sanderson Jones -‐ Atheist Church. Chair: Prof Jolyon Mitchell -‐ University of Edinburgh http://bit.ly/edfest28

5 Aug

Nitekirk JUST FESTIVAL (to 7 Aug) A place just to 'be' in a fast moving world. A still, candlelit space for wondering and wandering; welcoming people of any background, age or belief and using reflective 'stations' to explore your own experience of the sacred. Pause wherever your attention is drawn; interact with poetry, images, sand, water, music, silence, art materials, refreshments and chat. http://bit.ly/edfest29

6 Aug

Afghan Days Babylon Nights

FRINGE (to 17 Aug) Stunning voices from the theatre of war. A compelling performance inspired by the history of human conflict. The actors bring alive universal themes: courage, loss, comradeship and humour to mesmerise and captivate with searing realism. Vivid images, haunting music, poignant and profound. 'Very fine, I was moved many times' (Scilla Elworthy Nobel Peace Prize nominee'). ‘Top Ten Most Creative shows at the Fringe’ (Huffington Post 2012). 'Spare, shocking, beautiful, brings the actuality of war into sharp focus.' (Anne Brown, Director Voices of War). 'Perfection! A great work.' (Major Peter Watson M.C. (Retd)). http://bit.ly/edfest30


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6 Aug

Faith Today -‐ Beyond Rhetoric: Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland

JUST FESTIVAL Members of the Advisory Group on Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland, established by Rosanna Cunningham MSP, Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, will host a conversation on the need to shift the debate on Sectarianism from entrenched positions of fear and blame to constructive dialogue and shared solutions. http://bit.ly/edfest31

6 Aug

Eye Witness Stories from the West Bank and Israel

JUST FESTIVAL Tricia recently spent three months in Bethlehem monitoring human rights and experiencing life under Occupation. She was there as an international volunteer with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). Here on the West Bank accompaniers monitor the checkpoint, witness the conduct of Israeli soldiers outside schools and visit outlying villages to find out about the difficulties that Palestinians face living in the shadow of illegal Israeli settlements. Alongside this work Tricia met many Israelis working for peace: Rabbis for Human Rights, Women in Black and other activists from who join Palestinians in non-‐violent direct action to end the occupation. Tricia’s presentation will touch on all of these experiences. http://bit.ly/edfest32

6 Aug

The Story of My Mother

JUST FESTIVAL Yousef Ahadi shares the real-‐life story of his mother who battled for almost a century against the authoritarian regimes of Stalin, the Shah of Iran and the malignant international forces of occupation and exploitation in the East, eventually finding herself a serene and peaceful resting place beside her children in Turkey. http://bit.ly/edfest33

6 Aug

Mindfulness at Lunchtime

JUST FESTIVAL (also 13 and 20 Aug) Stop for a while, come and find peace and mindfulness @ lunchtime – guided sitting and walking meditation, enjoying our food together, mindfully in silence, and ending with a short silent meditation, returning to the world refreshed! Mindfulness is gently bringing our attention to the present moment, involving our inherent capacity for healing and renewal. Please bring your own lunch. This is one of our regular Community of Interbeing meetings in Edinburgh and is held in collaboration with the Unitarians in Edinburgh. http://bit.ly/edfest34

6 Aug

Breaking the Fast JUST FESTIVAL Blackhall Mosque welcomes you to observe the late afternoon prayer which will be around 7.30pm. Enjoy a tour of the Mosque, an opportunity to meet the children and staff; this will also include a question and answer session to learn more about Ramadan. To finish off you are invited to a meal which will mark the end of the fast for that day around 9.00pm. Open to those of all faiths or none. http://bit.ly/edfest35


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7 Aug

A Beginner’s Guide to Religion

JUST FESTIVAL (also 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22 Aug) Ever wondered what makes food halal? How karma works? Or why Sikh people wear turbans? Each evening we will explore a different religion with a speaker from that faith. Learn the history and teachings of each faith, and hear personal accounts belonging to a faith tradition in 21st Century Scotland. http://bit.ly/edfest36

7 Aug

I Dreamed a Dream

JUST FESTIVAL (also 21 Aug) I Dreamed a Dream -‐ Interfaith Imaginative Prayer with Children. These sessions, drawing on the Christian Ignatian tradition of imaginative contemplation, but adapted to all faiths and none, will help us to use our imaginations as a way of experiencing an encounter with God. Suitable for those of any age who enjoy dreaming, but in particular children of primary age and above. http://bit.ly/edfest37

8 Aug

The GB Project FRINGE (to 24 Aug) An epic tale told on an intimate scale, inspired by maverick British adventurer Gertrude Bell. A witty and rousing look at the impact of Western women on the shaping of the modern day Middle East. The GB Project fuses fragments of text gathered from diaries, letters and biographies, alongside contemporary voices, speeches and iconic footage to raise questions about history, legacy, loyalty and love. Created in collaboration with award-‐winning writer and director Steve Gilroy, and musician Richard Dawson. http://bit.ly/edfest38

10 Aug

Salman Rushdie: Defining a Literary Generation

BOOKFEST In 1983, Salman Rushdie was shortlisted for the Booker Prize for his novel Shame and named among Granta’s inuagural Best of Young British Novelists. Only a few years later, he was forced into hiding by an Iranian fatwa after the publication of The Satanic Verses. Rushdie survived, became a passionate champion of free speech and emerged as the single most influential British writer of our times. We are thrilled to welcome him to reflect on a remarkable career with John Freeman, editor of Granta. http://bit.ly/edfest40

10 Aug

Mukesh Kapila: Standing Up to the Slaughter in Sudan

BOOKFEST Ethnic cleansing and genocide were terms we hoped were consigned to the past. But in Darfur, those words had to be used again as the worst mass slaughter of people in the 21st century was planned and orchestrated from Khartoum. Mukesh Kapila, author of Against A Tide Of Evil, was head of the UN in Sudan until he decided to blow the whistle on the killers. http://bit.ly/edfest41

10 Aug

Changing World -‐ Refugee to Tailor, Assisting Burmese Refugees in Delhi

JUST FESTIVAL Travel with us across the world to meet, live and face-‐to-‐face, three Burmese refugee women living and working in Delhi. Answering questions directly, the women and project workers will tell their stories. Followed by an open discussion about the challenges of working sustainably with a group of refugees,


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creating independence rather than dependence. Speakers: Chris Barr -‐ Burma Assist, Stephanie Voytier -‐ Burma Assist, Habib Malik -‐ Islamic Relief Worldwide. Chair: David Hope Jones -‐ Scotland Malawi Partnership http://bit.ly/edfest39

10 Aug

Tea, Cake or Death? Death Cafe

JUST FESTIVAL (also 17 Aug) At Death Cafés people come together in a relaxed and safe setting to discuss death, drink tea and eat delicious cake. A light hearted natter taking the darkness out of death, whether you believe in an afterlife or not. Punjab’n De Rasoi will provide traditional refreshments served at a Sikh funeral. http://bit.ly/edfest42

11 Aug

Jenn Ashworth and Peggy Riley: Brilliant Young Writers on Faith and the Family

BOOKFEST Brought up as a Mormon, Jenn Ashworth has since become a powerful voice in British fiction. She returns to Edinburgh with her third novel, The Friday Gospels, the story of a Mormon family that is by turns tragic and hilarious. Debut novelist Peggy Riley has written Amity and Sorrow, an astonishing, moving book about a woman and her children who flee from a religious cult. http://bit.ly/edfest43

11 Aug

Amnesty International Imprisoned Writers Series: Freedom from Torture

BOOKFEST Every day people are imprisoned for writing critically about their government or country. In 1983 Amnesty International presented an Appeal for a Universal Amnesty for All Prisoners of Conscience to the United Nations. Today, we pay tribute to writers who have been persecuted for their words, thoughts, and opinions by hearing the work of the writers group from Freedom for Torture. Reading today: Peggy Riley, D W Wilson, Nadeem Aslam. http://bit.ly/edfest44

11 Aug

Humza Arshad presents Diary of a Badman

FRINGE (to 25 Aug) With 47+ million YouTube views, DOABM is Arshad's hysterical take on what life is like for a young British Pakistani Muslim. The most viewed comedian in the UK. 'A worldwide hit' (Guardian). http://bit.ly/edfest45

11 Aug

Head Over Heels in Saudi Arabia

FRINGE (to 26 Aug) What do women in Saudi Arabia do when their husbands decides on wife number two? Do they fight or flee? What's life like for the second wife? How long is too long to wait for Mr Prince Charming to come galloping on his horse? In Head Over Heels in Saudi Arabia one woman takes you on a journey to playfully explore the lives of three women. Prepare to laugh as she bravely addresses many of the sensitive topics related to these experiences and unveils what really goes on... http://bit.ly/edfest46

11 Aug

Between Empires FRINGE (to 24 Aug) Be transported to a vibrant India of 200 years ago with this new musical. The show has a fantastic original score that blends East and West -‐ tabala, Hindustani violin, Bansuri, cello and piano are


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just some of the instruments to be performed live. With the colourful costumes of India and superb choreography, you can expect the show to be visually stunning. The story focuses on the fated romance of a Mughal princess and an English officer, set against the corruption and violence of the East India Company officials. The show explores extremes of human nature: rage, despair, love and hope. http://bit.ly/edfest47

11 Aug

On Being a Good Society

JUST FESTIVAL In the summer of 2011 a researcher and a photojournalist working on behalf of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland set out with a single question: “What do we mean by good society?” This was then supplemented with a second question “what can and do Churches or Faith groups contribute to the development of such a society?” Jim Benton Evans was one of the individuals involved in the research and his reflections on “Good Society” and the role of faith groups and organisations in Cornwall and Scotland will form the basis for this session. http://bit.ly/edfest48

11 Aug

The Nomadic and Green Life

JUST FESTIVAL (also 18 Aug) Nomadic rugs owe their existence to natural wools and dyes as well as to the amazing skill of the people who manage to weave these objects of art from such simple environmental resources. More than this, our talk also draws out other lessons we can learn from nomadic traditions, culture and family life. http://bit.ly/edfest49

12 Aug

Nadeem Aslam: A Secret Journey into Afghanistan

BOOKFEST He’s been described by Colm Tóibín as ‘one of the most exciting and serious writers working in Britain now’ and his new book will build his reputation still further. Nadeem Aslam, twice longlisted for the Man Booker Prize, presents The Blind Man’s Garden, an unforgettable story set in Afghanistan and Pakistan after the 9/11 bombings. It’s an evocative novel that sheds new light on a key moment in recent history. http://bit.ly/edfest50

12 Aug

Amnesty International Imprisoned Writers Series: Women Working for Change

BOOKFEST Women’s human rights defenders in Afghanistan are working to change perceptions at great personal risk. Widespread gender discrimination means they face punishment from their families, community and state for defying social conventions on acceptable behaviour for women. Our series of events today explores the issues. Reading today: Karen Campbell, Amity Gaige, Adam Marek and Anna Claybourne. http://bit.ly/edfest51

12 Aug

Karen Campbell and Abbas Khider – Hilariously Tragic: Life as a Refugee

BOOKFEST This is Where I Am is Karen Campbell’s brilliant, profoundly moving novel about a friendship between a Glaswegian woman and a Somali asylum seeker who has moved to Scotland. Abbas Khider is an Iraqi writer whose debut novel The Village Indian (translated by


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Scottish writer Donal McLaughlin, who also joins this event) is based on his own unforgettable experiences, as political prisoner and refugee. http://bit.ly/edfest52

12 Aug

Pole Factor FRINGE (to 24 Aug) Pole Factor. The beautiful Sameera Mohammed aka Coco is a reality celebrity on Pole Factor. Actively rejecting Islam, her controversial anti-‐mosque campaign has gone viral. The Muslims are outraged at the betrayal but she is only saying what everyone else is too scared to. The media and the masses are on her side. But a shock tragedy, as a result of her viral campaign, changes everything. Her mental frailty and disturbing reality starts to unravel dangerously on camera. Long listed for the Verity Bargate 2011 Award. http://bit.ly/edfest53

12 Aug

Faith Today -‐ Faith in the Media

JUST FESTIVAL With the modern culture of scepticism and constant searching for controversy and story-‐making, are the media portraying the real image of religions? What approaches should be adopted in order to present an unbiased image of faith communities? How can the media shape both perceptions and the way in which religions are practised? Speakers: Professor Jolyon Mitchell -‐ University of Edinburgh, Michael Brady Munnik -‐ Alwaleed Centre http://bit.ly/edfest54

13 Aug

Gilbert Achcar and Paul Mason: Revolution in the Air

BOOKFEST ‘The people want...’ has been part of the slogan chanted by Arab protestors since their craving for change became a revolutionary movement. Gilbert Achcar asks why the left failed to capitalise on the momentum, allowing Islamist parties to benefit most. In Why It’s Still Kicking Off Everywhere Paul Mason reflects on the expanding power of the individual and calls for new ways of thinking about politics, elite rule and global poverty. http://bit.ly/edfest55

13 Aug

Patrick Hennessey: Finding Friendship Amid the Lunacy of War

BOOKFEST After a traumatic tour of duty in Afghanistan, Patrick Hennessey returned home to reflect on the intensity and exhilaration he had left behind. He also missed the friendships he had forged with Afghans who stood beside him in battle in Helmand. Kandak tells the story of how alliances can be made in the most unlikely of locations and situations. http://bit.ly/edfest56

13 Aug

Joe Sacco: The Graphic Truth

BOOKFEST Previous books such as Footnotes In Gaza established his international reputation and now Joe Sacco, the world’s leading comics journalist, has produced Journalism. In this compelling set of cartoon-‐essays, he demonstrates the power of comic journalism to grasp at the truth – in Abu Ghraib, in Iraq, in Chechnya... We are thrilled to welcome Sacco for his first visit to the Book Festival. http://bit.ly/edfest57


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13 Omid Djalili Live FRINGE (to 25 Aug) Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s legendary comedian, Omid Djalili, is back with a splash, for 13 performances only. Time Out Award -‐ Best Stand Up, EMMA Award -‐ Best Stand Up, South Bank Award nominee and Perrier Award nominee. Book early. ‘Right now, the Iranian Djalili is probably one of the most subversive, let alone funniest, comedians around.’ (Guardian). ‘To carve yourself out a career as the thinking person's Iranian comedian in this political climate takes a fine brain and a masterful way with the audience. There is no question that Omid Djalili possesses both.’ (Sunday Times). http://bit.ly/edfest58

13 Aug

Scottish Independence Referendum -‐ Separating Religion and State?

JUST FESTIVAL Scotland's faith communities have helped shape the Scotland we know today. Our education system, our prison communities, our sense of the egalitarian and the ideal of "we're all Jock Tamson bairns" are part of that story. Whatever the outcome of the referendum, how will they have a space to make a similar contribution in our multi-‐cultural 21st century Scotland? Speakers: tbc http://bit.ly/edfest59

14 Aug

Neal Ascherson, Pankaj Mishra and Malise Ruthven: 50 Years of the New York Review of Books

BOOKFEST The New York Review of Books has been at the forefront of literary and political journalism for 50 years. Join regular contributors Pankaj Mishra, author of From the Ruins of Empire, Neal Ascherson, author of Stone Voices: The Search for Scotland and Malise Ruthven, author of Islam: A Very Short Introduction, as they discuss their perspectives on national identity and writing and collective versus individual rights. http://bit.ly/edfest60

14 Aug

Amnesty International Imprisoned Writers Series: Love is a Human Right

BOOKFEST Amnesty International is working to expose human rights abuses targeted at individuals who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex, challenging authorities to fulfil their responsibility to protect LGBT people. In March 2013, Amnesty contributed to the consultation on the Scottish Government’s Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill to legalise same-‐sex marriage. Our event today explores the issues. Reading today: James Lasdun, Roy Gill, Cat Clarke, Lucy Ellmann. http://bit.ly/edfest61

14 Aug

Behind Closed Doors: Domestic Abuse -‐ Scotland’s Secret Shame

JUST FESTIVAL Domestic abuse remains a prevalent socially-‐tabooed problem in Scotland. What can be done to decrease abusive behaviours? How can faith-‐related organisations provide assistance to the victims? What legal procedures should be put in place so that the abused are provided with secure living conditions? And should the abusers be given counselling? Speakers: Mridul Wadhwa -‐Shakti Women's Aid, Nick Smithers -‐ Abused Men in Scotland, Fiona Buchanan


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Scottish Women's Aid. Chair: Dr Eurig Scandrett -‐ Queen Margaret University http://bit.ly/edfest62

14 Aug

Spirituality in Children

JUST FESTIVAL Dr Rebecca Nye is one of the country’s leading authorities in research into children’s spirituality and is responsible for the introduction of ‘Godly Play’ into the UK. In this session we will hear something of what her research has taught us about the way children experience God and how that can affect the way we not only work with them but also its implications for adult faith communities. Followed by questions and answers. http://bit.ly/edfest63

14 Aug

Snapshot of Sikhs in Scotland with a Punjabi Supper

JUST FESTIVAL An introduction to Sikhism and Sikh lifestyle and culture in Scotland by Trishna Singh, director of Sikh Sanjog. Enjoy an authentic, delicious Punjabi Vegetarian dinner. There will be fascinating talks and opportunities to ask questions, with interesting videos offering a snapshot into being a Sikh living in Scotland today. http://bit.ly/edfest64

15 Aug

Rowan Williams: Is Britain Losing Faith in the Church?

BOOKFEST After ten acclaimed years as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams stood down earlier this year. However, despite his great diplomatic skills, the Church of England has become an institution riven by disagreement – about gay and female bishops in particular. Today Williams is joined by Baroness Julia Neuberger, Britain’s second woman rabbi, to talk frankly about the changing relationship between faith, the church and society. http://bit.ly/edfest65

15 Aug

The Power of Silence

JUST FESTIVAL In the modern world, we are assaulted on all sides by noise; but silence can change your life and this talk explains why and how. Graham Turner explores the power that can be found in silence through interviewing monastics, religious leaders, composers, actors, psychotherapists, prisoners and peace workers about their experiences of practising silence. Ranging from Christian contemplation in the Egyptian desert to Vipassana meditation in India, from the shared silence of Quaker meetings in Oxford to the profound stillness of the Alps, this is a powerful talk about a great gap in modern human awareness. http://bit.ly/edfest66

16 Aug

Shereen El Feki: Women in the Arab World

BOOKFEST In Arab cultures, according to Shereen El Feki in Sex and the Citadel, a political revolution may be unfolding but a sexual revolution is a long way off. In this event, El Feki reveals the groundbreaking research and personal experience that have formed the foundations of her book, offering a stark insight into the sexual history of the Arab region and continuing the heated discussion around its future. http://bit.ly/edfest67


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16 Aug

Jackie Kay and Matthew Kay: Poetry and the Fight for Human Rights

BOOKFEST Jackie Kay’s new poems about asylum seekers in Glasgow point up the importance of artistic and cultural contributions to political life. In this event Kay discusses her work with her filmmaker son Matthew Kay. He recently took a British football team to Palestine, where poetry is also a vital part of the culture of resistance, and today he shows an extract from the extraordinary documentary he made. http://bit.ly/edfest68

16 Aug

Creepie Stool JUST FESTIVAL (to 21, and 26 Aug) Edinburgh, 24 July 1637, Jenny Geddes flings a stool at a minister and starts a riot in St Giles, a three-‐day street brawl and, indirectly, the Covenanters’ War. While Calvinists and Catholics clash violently on the city’s streets, Jenny’s employer demands an explanation – leading to unwelcome discoveries behind closed doors. A story of secrets, lies, inept leadership, early Scottish sectarianism and the uncontrollable consequences of a single act of defiance. Inspired by a true story. A new play by Scottish playwright Jen McGregor. http://bit.ly/edfest69

16 Aug

Hyperborea in Concert

JUST FESTIVAL Hyperborea presents a seductively diverse selection of music with voice, oud and Macedonian tambura, varying from the indescribable and hypnotic rhythms of the Balkans, to the sinuous melodies of Medieval Italian, Ottoman and Arabic classical music. Hyperborea are joined by acclaimed Balkan and Gaelic singer Talitha MacKenzie. Duo Hyperborea: Helena MacGilp: Voice, Persian barbat; Chris Elmes: Arabic oud, Macedonian Tambura, with Talitha MacKenzie: Voice, percussion http://bit.ly/edfest70

17 Aug

Ian Cobain -‐ Torture: Britain’s Dirty Secrets

BOOKFEST Clive Stafford-‐Smith’s glowing review of Ian Cobain’s history of British torture, Cruel Britannia, makes the depressingly accurate observation that ‘torture did not secure reliable information in 1600 (when witches ‘confessed’); it was no more helpful in 2001’. In today’s event Cobain, a Guardian investigative reporter, presents a volley of evidence that invites a damning reappraisal of the British move to state secrecy in the post 9/11 era. http://bit.ly/edfest71

17 Aug

A C Grayling: The Argument Against God

BOOKFEST No stranger to controversy, the philosopher A C Grayling has walked back into the tornado with his new book, The God Argument. In this elegant and profoundly humane treatise against religion, Grayling demonstrates that he is no ‘fundamentalist atheist’ but a humanist who argues with delightfully jargon-‐free clarity. Although his book will divide opinions, he is a careful thinker whose argument deserves to be heard by both sides. http://bit.ly/edfest72


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17 Aug

Sahar Delijani and Nadifa Mohamed: Giving Voice to the Survivors

BOOKFEST During the Iran-‐Iraq war, thousands of political prisoners were executed. Sahar Delijani’s uncle was among those who died, and her novel Children of the Jacaranda Tree is a reflection on the ordeal and the unspoken grief of those who survived. Nadifa Mohamed, one of Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists 2013, was born in Somalia and educated in the UK. Her novel, The Orchard of Lost Souls, tells the story of three inextricably linked women -‐ street child, soldier and grandmother -‐ as Somalia’s devastating civil war unfolds. Chaired by Jackie McGlone. http://bit.ly/edfest73

17 Aug

Amnesty International Imprisoned Writers Series: Freedom of Expression

BOOKFEST Each day we pay tribute to persecuted writers from around the world. Freedom of expression is at the heart of any book festival but it is also necessary for citizens and communities to speak out against injustice, express their needs freely and hold their governments to account. Today’s event is chaired by Scottish PEN. Authors reading: Frances Hardinge, Ian Cobain, Jeremy Dyson and Jan Fearnle. http://bit.ly/edfest74

17 Aug

Can We Trust Each Other? The Suspicious Century

BOOKFEST When Margaret Thatcher proclaimed ‘there is no such thing as society’, perhaps she was ahead of her time. After the scandals of paedophilia in the Catholic Church and horsemeat in ready meals, do we trust each other less than we did a generation ago? Gavin Esler and his guests, philosopher A C Grayling psychologist Claudia Hammond and Scottish History professor Ewen Cameron, explore why the fabric of trust in society seems to have been eroded. http://bit.ly/edfest75

17 Aug

Scottish Independence Referendum: YES/NO to Immigrants

JUST FESTIVAL How will the increasing rate of immigrations to Scotland affect the Scottish Independence Referendum discussion? Do the roles and living conditions of immigrants in Scotland need be taken into account? How will the outcome of the Referendum affect the numbers and life choices of immigrants and emigrations in Scotland? Followed by an open discussion. Speakers: Hanzala Malik MSP, Pat Elsmie -‐ Migrants' Rights Scotland, Fiaz Khan -‐ Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations Scotland http://bit.ly/edfest76

17 Aug

A Glimpse of Life Behind the Wall

JUST FESTIVAL In 2012 a small group from Edinburgh went to the West Bank to learn about conditions for ordinary Palestinians, and to perform songs of peace and solidarity and take part in non-‐violent protest. We sang in towns, villages and refugee camps and met with farmers, teachers, community workers, parents and children to listen, learn, and observe at first hand the impact of the Israeli occupation. Come and hear inspirational stories and songs of land, of life, of barbed wire and concrete walls, and of the people who transcend those barriers and grow seeds of hope. http://bit.ly/edfest77


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17 Aug

Individual and Collective Transformation

JUST FESTIVAL An afternoon of readings of a devotional nature from Bahá’í scriptures and other faith traditions, with music and work-‐shops exploring individual and collective transformations. Themes include the unity of the human race, the spiritual nature of humans and the importance of education of children. Open to those of all faiths and none. http://bit.ly/edfest78

17 Aug

A Complete Introduction to the Fascinating World of Persian Rugs

JUST FESTIVAL A series of talks, films and workshops explaining the history and culture of Persian Rugs which explore the amazing skills of those involved in both making modern rugs and carpets and conserving antique pieces. Discover the customs, traditions and weaving techniques of different regions including the small villages of Persia and little known-‐tribes. http://bit.ly/edfest79

17 Aug

Family Walk Around the Botanic Gardens

JUST FESTIVAL Join us for a family walk around the stunning Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings as we stroll along and chat to other families. Weather permitting; we will end with a bring-‐your-‐own picnic. Led by Beyond the Veil, an Edinburgh based Muslim Women’s group. Meeting at the East Gate on Inverleith Row. http://bit.ly/edfest80

18 Aug

Shani Boianjiu and Jérôme Ferrari: The Stories We Tell About Ourselves

BOOKFEST Shani Boianjiu uses her experiences as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces to powerful effect in her debut novel, The People of Forever Are Not Afraid, which describes the impact of conflict on young female fighters. Corsica-‐based Jérôme Ferrari won France’s Prix Goncourt and is a rising star of French literature. His latest novella, Where I Left My Soul, is a tale of two torturers set against the backdrop of the Algerian War. http://bit.ly/edfest81

18 Aug

Richard Holloway: 30 Years of Scottish Society

BOOKFEST His gorgeous memoir was one of the finest books of last year, confirming the former Bishop of Edinburgh’s status as one of Scotland’s great public thinkers. A firm Book Festival favourite, Richard Holloway joins us today to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the world’s leading literary event in a conversation with founding director Jenny Brown about three extraordinary decades of society, faith and storytelling in Scotland. http://bit.ly/edfest82

18 Aug

Amnesty International Imprisoned Writers Series: Freedom of Expression

BOOKFEST Each day we pay tribute to persecuted writers from around the world. Freedom of expression is at the heart of any book festival but it is also necessary for citizens and communities to speak out against injustice, express their needs freely and hold their governments to account.


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Today’s event is chaired by Scottish PEN. Authors reading: Nick Lake, William Sutcliffe and Jérôme Ferrari. http://bit.ly/edfest83

19 Aug

Abdel Bari Atwan and Mark Huband with Gavin Esler: The Suspicious Century

BOOKFEST Do we trust what we are told about Britain’s approach to foreign conflicts? Our guest selector Gavin Esler talks with Palestinian journalist Abdel Bari Atwan, a persistent critic of the rhetoric of the ‘war on terror’, and Financial Times Security correspondent Mark Huband. Atwan interviewed Osama bin Laden, writing about the experience in The Secret History of al Qa’ida; Huband’s Trading Secrets offers a controversial assessment of our intelligence agencies’ abilities to combat the threat of terror. http://bit.ly/edfest84

19 Aug

John Tolan -‐ Islam and the West: More Complex Than You Might Think

BOOKFEST Much has been written and reported about the ‘clash of civilisations’ that has ruptured relations between Islam and the West. John Tolan, history professor at the Université de Nantes is one of many academics refuting this simplistic notion. In Europe and the Islamic World, Tolan and others chart 15 centuries of history to offer up a more balanced view of this complex state of affairs. Chaired by Ruth Wishart. http://bit.ly/edfest85

19 Aug

Michael Axworthy: Looking Behind the Myth of Iran

BOOKFEST Ayatollah Khomeini’s return to Iran in 1979 was a key moment in modern international politics and has led to the country becoming entrenched and isolated. Head of the Foreign Office’s Iran Section at the end of the 20th century, Michael Axworthy joins us to shed light on Revolutionary Iran, his account of the country’s unique and widely misunderstood history. http://bit.ly/edfest86

19 Aug

Eyal Weizman: The Hidden Architecture of Occupation

BOOKFEST According to Israeli architect and academic Eyal Weizman, his country has transformed the Occupied Territories into an artifice designed purely for controlling the area and its people. Weizman has analysed the West Bank and Gaza as well as the zone’s militarised airspace. In his resulting book Hollow Land (described by Jay Merrick as ‘extraordinary’ and ‘surreally uncomfortable’), he lays bare the political system that underpins the occupation. http://bit.ly/edfest87

19 Aug

Mejnun FRINGE (to 24 Aug) Central Asia comes to Edinburgh for the first time with Orzu Art's exotic one-‐man show Mejnun in English and Uzbek. In the journey of the heart as it opens, the mind too, may follow. The risks and joys of leaving the known. The heart may break. Seeing the beloved in everything. Mejnun uses humour, audience participation, live music, ritual and poetry to celebrate the power of universal love. Grounded in Uzbek and Sufi traditions, Mejnun draws on Goethe's West-‐East Divan,


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15th-‐century Turkic Uzbek mystic Navai's Leyli and Mejnun and 12th-‐century Persian Sufi poet Attar's Sheikh Sanaan. http://bit.ly/edfest88

19 Aug

The Cardinals FRINGE (to 23 Aug) Three cardinals in a puppet theatre tell their biblical history of the world, including the Crusades and 20th-‐century conflict. Wordless, visually gorgeous, unintentionally hilarious and strangely moving, their show relies entirely on their ever-‐tolerant Muslim Stage Manager. The Cardinals is about faith and belief. It is playful, thought-‐provoking and thoroughly entertaining. ‘A company of real artistic innovators who always have new things to say and new ways of saying them ... there is probably no more exciting company working in the UK today’ (Lyn Gardner, Guardian). http://bit.ly/edfest89

19 Aug

Black T-‐Shirt Collection

FRINGE (to 24 Aug) From Fringe First winner Inua Ellams (The 14th Tale) and Herald Angel and Fringe First winners Fuel (The Simple Things in Life, Minsk, 2011, Kursk, Under Glass, Jackson's Way) comes a story about two foster brothers building a global t-‐shirt brand. On their journey through the markets of Nigeria, nightclubs of Europe and sweatshops of China, Matthew and Muhammed discover the consequences of success. ‘You sink into his storytelling' ****(Time Out). ‘A tingling resonant celebration of the art of solo performance' ****(Evening Standard). British Council Showcase 2013. http://bit.ly/edfest90

19 Aug

Faith Today: Muslim-‐Christian Encounters

JUST FESTIVAL By welcoming Muslims to share their Christian place of worship, the Aberdeen Church of St John the Evangelist set a precedent in the UK. In the critical times for both Muslims and Christians, what can be done to improve Christian-‐Muslim encounters in Scotland? What doors must be opened to address sectarianism and prejudice? Speakers: The Revd Canon Dr Isaac M Poobalan -‐ The Scottish Episcopal Church and Sheikh Ahmed Megharbi -‐ Aberdeen Syed Shah Mustafa Jame Masjid Mosque. Chair: Dr Revd Harriet Harris -‐ University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy http://bit.ly/edfest91

20 Aug

Marina Warner: Mary and Joan: Two Female Icons

BOOKFEST The Virgin Mary is the most visible female icon of all, yet she is presented as a woman without a history. In the 1970s, Marina Warner set out to develop a deeper understanding of her and wrote the seminal Alone of All Her Sex. In a second book, she turned to Joan of Arc, tracing portrayals of a heroic young woman across literature, politics and the arts. Today, Warner discusses both women as her landmark books are published in new editions. http://bit.ly/edfest92

20 Aug

Fifty Shades of Feminism: Where Are We Now?

BOOKFEST Our Guest Selector Kate Mosse is joined by Lisa Appignanesi, co-‐editor of Fifty Shades of Feminism, and writer and reviewer Kamila


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Shamsie, to discuss feminism in the 21st century and how it has changed over the past 30 years. We’re no longer burning our bras so is feminism now more an attitude of the mind than a divisive definition? http://bit.ly/edfest93

20 Aug

Colm Tóibin: Re-‐imagining Mary, Mother of Jesus

BOOKFEST Are we not familiar with Mary, with the image of the mother cradling the newborn Jesus? Perhaps, but the writings of the gospels offer only a sketchy idea of the woman who conceived without original sin. Colm Tóibín’s thoughtful novella, The Testament of Mary, paints a brave and humanist portrait of a woman’s grief and suffering; of a mother who is weary and sceptical, but always faithful to her son. Chaired by Richard Holloway. http://bit.ly/edfest94

20 Aug

Why Don’t We Want What Our Children Need? Choosing the Best Education

BOOKFEST Is choosing a school on the basis of academic standards, traditional values and status the smart choice or should other factors be taken into consideration? Educational specialist David Cameron looks at the type of education children need now and questions whether what they need is what we are choosing. Is education too important to take risks? And if we don’t adapt to change, is that the biggest risk of all? https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-‐festival/whats-‐on/why-‐don-‐t-‐we-‐want-‐what-‐our-‐children-‐need http://bit.ly/edfest95

20 Aug

Blueprint Debate: Feminism and Family. Is Feminism a Busted Flush?

BOOKFEST Changing demographics have put an end to the idea of the nuclear family, but have women’s roles within the home changed to reflect that? Just as many have claimed a glass ceiling exists for women in the workplace, have gender roles in the home changed as much as feminists would like? Or has feminism had its day? Firing up the debate are radical feminist gorilla journalist Laurie Penny and author and playwright Alan Bissett, whose Fringe show this year is Ban This Filth. http://bit.ly/edfest96

20 Aug

White Rabbit Red Rabbit

FRINGE (to 24 Aug) No rehearsals. No director. No set. A different actor reads the script cold for teh first time at each performance. Will you participate? Will you be manipulated? Will you listen? Will you really listen? "I was born on Azar 19th, 1360 in Tehran. That's Tehran, December 10th, 1981 in Christian years..." 29 years old, forbidden to leave his country, playwright Nassim Sollmannour distills the experience of an entire generation n a wild, utterly original play. White Rabbit, Red Rabbit is a work about contemporary Iran and of Nassim's generation. A generation born amidst the hardship of teh Iran-‐Iraq war. A generation of computer-‐literate, well-‐informed young people who have never known an Iran other than the Islamic Republic. http://bit.ly/edfest97


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20 Aug

Changing World: The Good Society -‐ An Enquiry

JUST FESTIVAL In the summer of 2011 a Churches Together in Britain researcher and photojournalist working in Britain and Ireland set out with questions of: “What do we mean by good society? What can and do Churches or Faith groups contribute to the development of such a society?” We discuss their findings. Speakers: The Rev Padraig Gallagher -‐ The Church in Wales; June Fearns – Hamilton. Chair: Rt Rev Dr John Armes, Bishop of Edinburgh http://bit.ly/edfest98

20 Aug

Hāfez JUST FESTIVAL Hāfez, born in the fourteenth century, is one of the most celebrated of the Persian poets, and his influence can be felt to this day. Expressing love, spirituality, and protest, he and his work continue to be important to Iranians, and many of his poems are used as proverbs or sayings. http://bit.ly/edfest99

20 Aug

Islam and Peace Building

JUST FESTIVAL Professor Goddard was an undergraduate in Oxford, where he studied Islamic History under Albert Hourani, and then took his doctorate from the Centre for the Study of Islam and Christian-‐Muslim Relations in Birmingham, where his supervisor was David Kerr. He has worked and studied in the Middle East, in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt, and has also undertaken a number of research visits to other regions of the Islamic World, including Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Malaysia, Indonesia and Central Asia. http://bit.ly/edfest100

20 Aug

Henna Workshop for Beginners

JUST FESTIVAL Henna is an elegant form of body art that embodies purity and centuries of symbolism and traditions. We aim to introduce beginners to the material techniques needed to create beautiful henna art which are made enchanting by their temporary nature. Led by a local professional and Beyond the Veil, an Edinburgh based Muslim Women’s group. http://bit.ly/edfest101

21 Aug

Joanne Harris: Milk Chocolate and Minarets

BOOKFEST Sometimes, fictional creations have a life of their own. That’s what Joanne Harris discovered about Lansquenet-‐sous-‐Tannes, the fictional setting for her bestselling novel Chocolat. Perhaps it’s not surprising then, that Harris felt compelled to revisit the French town, and her Chocolat heroine Vianne Rocher, in new novel Peaches for Monsieur le Curé. But although Vianne’s passion for chocolate is undiminished, Lansquenet has definitely changed… http://bit.ly/edfest102

21 Aug

James Fergusson and Ben Rawlence: War and Peace in Africa’s Trouble Spots

BOOKFEST In various parts of war-‐torn Africa there is uneasy peace, or there are states of uncertainty. Elsewhere, life is simply perilous. Ben Rawlence reports back with his book Radio Congo, as he meets the people trying to rebuild life in the deeply troubled and dangerous former Belgian colony, while James Fergusson recounts his first-‐


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hand knowledge of conflict-‐ridden Somalia in The World’s Most Dangerous Place. http://bit.ly/edfest103

21 Aug

Abdulaziz Al-‐Mahmoud and Jack Wolf: Horrible Histories

BOOKFEST A notorious 19th century corsair practising piracy in the Gulf; and a talented 18th century science student, madman and deviant. What is the link between Abdulaziz Al-‐Mahmoud’s The Corsair and Jack Wolf’s The Tale of Raw Head & Bloody Bones? Both are stunning historical novels that powerfully evoke the treachery – and the enlightenment – of their respective ages. A treat for fans of historical fiction. http://bit.ly/edfest104

21 Aug

Women’s Representation in the Arts: Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling

BOOKFEST There’s a common observation that it’s women who manage the arts, but they are directed by male decision-‐makers. Is it true? Join our Guest Selector Kate Mosse, theatre director Lucy Kerbel and Guardian arts critic Jonathan Jones as they debate the representation of women across the arts in literature, theatre and visual arts. Is there a need for positive discrimination, ring-‐fenced funding or unique awards for women in the 21st century? http://bit.ly/edfest105

21 Aug

Blueprint Debate: The Ethics of Dying. A Moral Quagmire?

BOOKFEST With advances in medicine we have more power over life and death than ever before. But just because we can resuscitate people after they’re clinically dead, does it mean we should? Conversely, if someone wants to commit physician-‐assisted suicide, should we stop them? This is a debate that has profound ethical, scientific and philosophical implications. Join author Gavin Extence and Professor of Divinity, David Fergusson, to consider whether it’s time we re-‐evaluate our thinking. Chaired by Richard Holloway. http://bit.ly/edfest106

21 Aug

Of Dice and Men: UK Premiere

FRINGE '...blisteringly funny and deeply affecting play' (SmashWords.com) about a group of thirty-‐something US Dungeons & Dragons players, and what happens when one enlists for Iraq. Performed outside the USA for the first time. http://bit.ly/edfest107

21 Aug

Ethics Over Profit: Business for the other 99%

JUST FESTIVAL Seen as an instrument to tackle poverty and promote micro-‐finance, social enterprises have generated great interest, and not only in socialist minds. This new form of business with a ‘conscience’ is increasingly being adopted in Scotland and beyond. Yet, are they sustainable as businesses and for the communities they support? Speakers: Frank McKillop -‐ ABCUL, Kirsty Burnham -‐ SoLoCo, Habib Malik -‐ Islamic Relief Worldwide, Josh Littlejohn -‐ Social Bite http://bit.ly/edfest108


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21 Aug

African Issues in Palliative Care

JUST FESTIVAL Dr Liz Grant, Senior Lecturer in Global Health and Development at the University of Edinburgh, shares her pioneering experiences of supporting palliative care in developing countries, the role of faith communities in supporting health care, understanding spirituality and health, and working with AIDS/HIV in Sub-‐Saharan Africa. http://bit.ly/edfest109

21 Aug

Shared Heritage: Jewish and Muslim Spirituality

JUST FESTIVAL Saeko Yazaki's (PhD, Edin.) areas of research include the mysticism and epistemology of religion, the Judaeo-‐Islamic tradition in al-‐Andalus, and their continuing relevance to the present. She is also pursuing comparative study of monotheistic and non-‐monotheistic faiths. In her monograph, Islamic Mysticism and Abu Talib al-‐Makki: The Role of the Heart, she addresses the complexity of the Sufi-‐Hanbali interaction on one hand, and the Muslim-‐Jewish nexus on the other, through an exploration of the religious image of the heart in the works of the tenth-‐century Sufi preacher, al-‐Makki, and specifically his book on ethics, Qut al-‐qulub (‘The Nourishment of Hearts’). Currently she is carrying out research on deep connections between Jewish and Muslim spirituality. http://bit.ly/edfest110

22 Aug

James Buchan: How Ordinary Iranians Viewed the Revolution

BOOKFEST Modern history took a thundering turn after the Iranian Revolution of 1979 as the political order of the Middle East was changed forever. In Days Of God, former foreign correspondent with the Financial Times, James Buchan tells the story of this revolution through the eyes of those ordinary Iranians. He joins us today to share their extraordinary accounts. http://bit.ly/edfest111

22 Aug

Blueprint Debate: Immigration. Does Britain Need More Inward Migration?

BOOKFEST Changes to economic migration and student visa policies are well underway and family visa rule changes are next on the list. In the long-‐term, these changes will drastically affect the social, cultural and economic development of the UK. Can we be a culturally diverse nation and at the same time support British business? Sunder Katwala, director of integration think tank British Future and David Goodhart, author of The British Dream, discuss. http://bit.ly/edfest112

23 Aug

Steve Jones: What Science Has to Tell Us About Religion

BOOKFEST Some feel that the Bible and science are a twain that never shall meet. But what if the ‘good book’ could be told from a modern science perspective: how would that work? This is British geneticist Steve Jones’ intriguing aim in The Serpent’s Promise, as he uses these different disciplines to make links between the origins of life, age, sex and the end of the universe. Chaired by Ruth Wishart. http://bit.ly/edfest113

23 Aug

Raja Shehadeh and William Sutcliffe: Fiction and

BOOKFEST William Sutcliffe is a bestselling British author, but his new novel The Wall takes him in an astonishing new direction. Set in a


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Factions fictional settlement, it tells the story of a young boy who wants to find out what life is like on the other side of the wall surrounding his town. In this event, Sutcliffe discusses his book with the acclaimed Palestinian author and lawyer Raja Shehadeh. http://bit.ly/edfest114

23 Aug

Amnesty International Imprisoned Writers Series: The Death Penalty

BOOKFEST Some countries continue to impose capital punishment for acts like having sex outside marriage, opposing the government and offending religion. This is despite international law barring them for handing out death sentences for these crimes. In the last 30 years, Amnesty has seen some positive steps in the fight to completely abolish the death penalty and hopes it won’t take another 30 years for it to be a thing of the past. Reading today: Annabel Pitcher, Mikhail Shishkin, Courtney Collins and Rebecca Lisle http://bit.ly/edfest115

23 Aug

Scottish Independence Referendum: Citizenship and Identity

JUST FESTIVAL The Scottish Independence Referendum opens discussions about Scotland’s identity and citizenship. How can Scotland’s identity be defined after centuries of Union and immigration? How will this affect the voting? What should be taken into account while revisiting legal aspects of granting citizenship? How will the Referendum shape intra-‐British and European relations? Speakers: Iain Mitchell QC -‐ European Movement in Scotland, Perry Walker -‐ the new economics foundation. Chair: Moira Tasker -‐ Citizen Advice Edinburgh http://bit.ly/edfest116

23 Aug

Ethics Over Profit -‐ Farm Animals: Just Food or Fellow Creatures?

JUST FESTIVAL Treating animals well: a luxury we can’t afford or a compa-‐nion on our spiritual journey? Many of the animals who provide our meat, milk and eggs are factory farmed, all in the name of efficiency and cheap food. But is it really cheap or efficient? Can we eat well and treat animals with humanity? Speaker: Peter Stevenson -‐ Compassion in World Farming http://bit.ly/edfest117

24 Aug

Colin McAdam and Charles Fernyhough: Making Our Self Conscious

BOOKFEST Colin McAdam’s A Beautiful Truth is a startling, remarkable novel which challenges the boundaries between humans and chimpanzees. Charles Fernyhough has written a literary thriller, A Box of Birds, exploring the most unreliable narrator of all, our memories. Both novels use fiction to explore the moral and ethical dilemmas of scientific research and question our constant quest for greater understanding. http://bit.ly/edfest118

24 Aug

Marcel Theroux with John Gray: Would You Want to Live Forever?

BOOKFEST Strange Bodies is Marcel Theroux’s extraordinary, thought-‐provoking novel about Nicky Slopen, who appears to come back from the dead. In this event Theroux is joined by political philosopher John Gray to discuss immortality, transhumanism and human consciousness, subjects they have explored in fiction and


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non-‐fiction respectively. Gray's The Immortalization Commission was one of the inspirations for Theroux's new novel. http://bit.ly/edfest119

24 Aug

Edward Platt -‐ Hebron: Divided City

BOOKFEST Edward Platt’s last book, Leadville, was a history of the A40 road out of London. A decade later, he has completed an altogether more ambitious enterprise: The City of Abraham is a 5,000-‐year history of the city of Hebron through the eyes of all those with an interest in it, regardless of nationality or religion. It is now the only place in the West Bank where Palestinians and Israelis live side by side. http://bit.ly/edfest120

24 Aug

Amnesty International Imprisoned Writers Series -‐ Syria: Paved with Death

BOOKFEST At least 70,000 people have died since pro-‐reform protestors took to the streets of Syria in February 2011. Many were shot by security forces while participating in peaceful protests. Thousands of Syrians have been detained by the country's authorities, held at unknown locations where torture and ill-‐treatment is rife. In this event Amnesty shines a light on the human rights violations being committed with impunity. Reading today: Francesca Simon, Colin McAdam, Hannah Kent and Lauren Beukes. http://bit.ly/edfest121

24 Aug

Blueprint Debate: The Arab World. A Peaceful Future for the Region?

BOOKFEST The Ottoman Empire was a dynasty that lasted over 600 years. Since then, the Middle East and North Africa have been much less stable. In the light of the Israeli-‐Palestinian conflict and the Arab Spring uprisings, is there a regional solution that can restore stability and peace while preserving self-‐determination? Edward Platt, author of The City of Abraham and Adham Saouli, lecturer and Programme Director, MSc International Relations of the Middle East at the University of Edinburgh, deliver ambitious blueprints. http://bit.ly/edfest122

24 Aug

The Beauty and the Word: Islamic Calligraphy Workshop with Jawdat Kadhim

JUST FESTIVAL Jawdat Kadhim Kaiby taught Arabic calligraphy in Iraq for thirteen years at the Basra Fine Art Institute and was the head of his department for four years. He also served three years as head of the Basra Arabic Calligraphy Society. Jawdat moved to Scotland in 2008 and has led calligraphy workshops at the University of Glasgow’s Hunterian Museum and the prestigious Burrell Collection. In this day-‐long workshop, students will be introduced to three different calligraphic styles and will have the chance to try their hand at this traditional and celebrated art of the Islamic World. http://bit.ly/edfest123

24 Aug

Reflections of a Bedouin Upbringing in Bethlehem,

JUST FESTIVAL (also 25 Aug) Rafat Al-‐Rashayda will be painting a mural that expresses his views and vision about his hometown, and the “childhood dream town”, Bethlehem. This is from his upbringing of living as a Bedouin. Rafat


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Through Painting and Conversation

will paint, and discuss how this expresses his experience of living in the Occupied Territories. http://bit.ly/edfest124

25 Aug

Amnesty International Imprisoned Writers Series: In Graphic Detail

BOOKFEST Human rights are a serious business but Amnesty has successfully used some light-‐hearted methods to convey the message, from a Secret Policeman’s Ball to Stand Up for Comedy. Graphic novels can brilliantly convey the story of the fight for rights. From Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis, set in Iran, to Joe Sacco’s Palestine, the graphic novel allows us to enter a world vividly drawn and easily understood by all. Reading today: Hannah Berry, Jon McNaught and Garen Ewing. https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-‐festival/whats-‐on/amnesty-‐international-‐imprisoned-‐writers-‐series-‐62 http://bit.ly/edfest125

25 Aug

Poetry from the Egyptian Revolution: Poems and Music in Tahrir Square

BOOKFEST At the heart of the Egyptian revolution were the events in Tahrir Square. During the riots, Amin Haddad wrote poetry which the protestors spoke or sang together for moral support. Haddad joins us from Cairo with members of the revolutionary band, Eskenderella, whose musical rendering of Haddad’s poems gave support to the protestors. They reprise – in a rare European appearance – the verse that was the immediate response to the uprising. https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-‐festival/whats-‐on/poetry-‐from-‐the-‐egyptian-‐revolution http://bit.ly/edfest126

25 Aug

Two-‐Sided Story JUST FESTIVAL Tor Ben-‐Mayor • Israel Palestine 2010 • 1h15m • Hebrew, Arabic/English subtitles Rated 18 The story of 27 Palestinians and Israelis meeting for a unique project called ‘History through the Human Eye’. Bereaved families, Orthodox Jews and religious Muslims, settlers, ex-‐soldiers and ex-‐security prisoners, and citizens of the Gaza strip; each holds their own historical truth and shares their own emotional baggage with each other. http://www.justjust.org/#!two-‐sided-‐story/c16jt http://bit.ly/edfest127

26 Aug

William Dalrymple: The Battle for Afghanistan

BOOKFEST There are striking parallels to be drawn between the current ignominious situation in Afghanistan and the first Anglo-‐Afghan War of 1839-‐42. William Dalrymple’s history of that earlier conflict, The Return of a King, is earning rave reviews for its extensive research, not to mention its relevance to today’s Afghanistan. We are delighted to welcome back the celebrated Scottish author of several major books on Asia, including The Last Mughal. Chaired by Magnus Linklater. http://bit.ly/edfest128


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26 Aug

Rutu Modan and Leanne Shapton: The Graphic Identity

BOOKFEST Israeli cartoonist Rutu Modan first received attention in the UK with Exit Wounds. Her latest book, The Property, is a tale of family secrets, lost property and the bond of family love told through her unique cartoon style. Acclaimed US artist Leanne Shapton brings us Was She Pretty? – described as ‘a brilliant gem of a book’, it is a beautiful exploration of modern love, relationships and jealousy. http://bit.ly/edfest129

26 Aug

Joan Smith -‐ Women Today: Same Old Inequality

BOOKFEST From the bedroom to the boardroom, sexual inequalities continue to favour men. Women have more freedom today but the feminist fight is not won yet. In The Public Woman, Joan Smith looks at what women have achieved in the quarter century since she wrote her seminal text, Misogynies. Sex trafficking, domestic violence and so-‐called honour killings embody a sinister and enduring hostility towards women. http://bit.ly/edfest130

26 Aug

Jeremy Bowen: BBC Man Who Witnessed the Arab Spring

BOOKFEST Jeremy Bowen has been reporting the major news stories from the Middle East since the 1991 Gulf War and was on the frontline when the Arab Spring got into its stride. In this event Bowen discusses The Arab Uprisings, his book which captures the thoughts of those involved and analyses the regimes the uprisings wanted to overthrow. http://bit.ly/edfest131

26 Aug

Faith Today: More Tea, Imam?

JUST FESTIVAL Once mainly Christian, Scotland has greater religious diversity than ever before. What are the obstacles in interfaith work today? How does school and home education affect the dialogue between believers? In the light of greater secularization of the state and society, to what extent do interfaith activities support religious life and spirituality? Speakers: Sister Isabel Smyth -‐ Interfaith Scotland, Bashir Malik and Iain Stewart Edinburgh Interfaith Assosication. Chair: Rev Markus Dunzkofer -‐ Church of St John the Evangelist http://bit.ly/edfest132

26 Aug

Young Peaceworkers at Work

JUST FESTIVAL An interactive workshop presented by two young Quakers. Rhiannon Redpath is placed with Gender Action for Peace and Security, working on the issue of women in Afghanistan. Owen Everett is placed jointly with War Resisters' International and Forces Watch, working on countering the militarisation of young people. They are part of the 1-‐year popular Peaceworker scheme run by Quaker Peace and Social Witness for the last 20 years. Hear about their experiences, share their enthusiasm. Inspiration guaranteed! http://bit.ly/edfest133

29 Aug

Lost in Translation: Making

EIF Professor of Communication, Arts and Religion Jolyon Mitchell


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Scholarship Accessible

hosts a discussion with historian, broadcaster and author Bettany Hughes and Mona Siddiqui, Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies, on the relationships between research and the media and the demands of addressing different audiences. http://bit.ly/edfest134

30 Aug

Cultural Dialogue EIF August 2012 saw the inaugural Edinburgh International Culture Summit, an event that brought together Culture Ministers and officials from over 30 nations for a series of conversations about forging international dialogue through culture. Initiated by the Edinburgh International Festival in partnership with the British Council, Scottish Government and UK Government and hosted by the Scottish Parliament, the success of this event was a powerful reminder in a fractured world of a belief in the power of culture and the arts to transform individual lives and national ambitions. A panel, including British Council Chief Executive Martin Davidson and Festival Director Jonathan Mills, discusses the role of arts and culture in facilitating international dialogue and understanding. Chaired by broadcaster James Naughtie. http://bit.ly/edfest135

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