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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Lucy Knight

Edinburgh international book festival ends Baillie Gifford partnership

View of the gardens during the first day of the 2023 Edinburgh International Book Festival
The Edinburgh international book festival ended its 20-year partnership with Baillie Gifford following ‘threats of disruption from activists’. Photograph: Roberto Ricciuti/Getty Images

The Edinburgh international book festival (EIBF) has announced the end of its 20-year partnership with Baillie Gifford. Last week the Hay literary festival also dropped its sponsorship from the investment management firm after a series of last-minute drop-outs.

The singer Charlotte Church, the comedian Nish Kumar and the politician Dawn Butler were among those due to appear at Hay who decided to boycott the festival because of Baillie Gifford’s links to Israel and fossil fuel companies. By the end of the festival’s second day, Hay’s organisers announced the sponsorship has been “suspended” for 2024.

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