Thursday July 27th
Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman (aka Ambrose Parry) : Voices of the Dead
Ambrose Parry is the pseudonym for an intriguing collaboration between Chris Brookmyre – multi-award-winning author of over twenty novels – and his wife Marisa Haetzman, a former consultant anaesthetist. Chris and Marisa will be in conversation about their intriguing collaboration and ‘Voices of the Dead’ – the latest instalment of their gripping Raven and Fisher mystery series. It is ‘Brilliantly conceived, fiendishly plotted’ according to Mick Herron, author of the Slow Horses spy series. Body parts have been found at Surgeons’ Hall and they are not anatomy specimens. Set in Edinburgh in 1853, the hunt for a killer begins – before he kills again. The prime suspect is an accomplished actor, a man of a thousand faces, a master of disguise. The stage is set for a grand and deadly illusion…
‘Prepare to be mesmerised by the misdirection in this cleverly-plotted crime thriller set in Victorian Edinburgh’ – The Scotsman
Promises to be a marvellous lively opener to BIG LIT 2023!
Supported by The Scottish Book Trust
2.00 – 3.00 The Faed Gallery £8.00
Chrys Salt and Richard Ingham : Home Front/Front Line
A conversation in poetry, music, and prose evoking war and the losses of war with poet/performer Chrys Salt and internationally acclaimed saxophonist Richard Ingham on baritone saxophone. A timely event in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Home Front/Front Line is a loving dialogue in poetry and letters between between a pacifist mum and her soldier son, then a paratrooper in The Territorial Army who was mobilised to Iraq in 2003 and spent five months in action. Based on Chrys’ collections Home Front/Front Line (Roncadora 2013) and Mr Kalashnikov Regrets… (Hatterick’s House 2020).
‘It really is an outstanding piece, beautifully crafted, with words and music weaving something magical …’ Artistic Director Steve Pottinger. Wolves Festival, Wolverhampton
Exhibition in The Bakehouse Studio of the poems together with a series of paintings and film by Ken Smyth.
4.30 – 5.30 The Faed Gallery £8.00
Gerry Hassan in conversation with Alec Ross : What is the future of Scotland and the UK?
The UK is in a mess – politically, economically and socially. It has lost its way in how government, politicians and institutions act and behave while millions of people worry about the basics of life such as paying their everyday bills. Can next year’s election call time on this? What of the current state of Scottish politics and government as the SNP show signs of wear and tear and are engulfed in their own scandals? What future for the SNP and independence post-Nicola Sturgeon in such a climate? Followed by a Q&A. A chance to put your questions about Scotland’s future to Gerry Hassan.
(Scotland Rising: The Case for Independence. pub: Pluto Press)… Hassan presents a scrupulously fair and well-informed offering on a subject that will undoubtedly flare up again in the months and years to come. John Wood: Scottish Left review
7.30 – 9.00 The Faed Gallery £8.00
Festival Exhibition
Ken Smyth Illustration
An exhibition of illustrations by Ken Smyth for Chrys Salt’s poem sequence on the Iraq war. The illustrations were used for two short films by Ken based on two of the poems which were set to music by composer Kat Gillham in 2018. The two films will be showing as part of the exhibition.
An alternative musical interpretation of the poem sequence forms part of this year’s programme on Thursday 27th with Chrys reading alongside composer and saxophonist Richard Ingham.
Thursday 27 – Sunday 30 10am – 4pm
The Bakehouse Studio Free