Greta Thunberg has been announced as a headliner of this summer’s Edinburgh International Book Festival.
The climate activist is set to make her first public appearance in Scotland since the Cop 26 conference in 2021, and will give a speech followed by a question and answer session.
The Swede is also in town to promote The Climate Book, which was released last year, and saw her speak to experts and some of those most affected by the environmental crisis we face.
Thunberg will speak at an event chaired by Gemma Cairney, called It’s Not Too Late To Change The World as part of the festival on August 13.
Nick Barley, director of the book festival, said: “Nobody speaks truth to power quite like Greta Thunberg: her words and actions have given hope to countless young activists.
“This is a rare opportunity to spend time in the presence of a young woman whose conviction and defiant energy is a source of inspiration to millions across the globe.”
A limited number of signed copies of The Climate Book, priced £23, will be available to purchase exclusively alongside your ticket for the talk. Further details will be announced on June 14.
But Thunberg is far from the only big name to be at the festival. Here are all the details.
When is the Edinburgh Book Festival?
The announcement of Thunberg on Thursday is the first big announcement ahead of the festival.
The event will be held from August 11 to 28, with the full programme released on June 14 and tickets on sale from June 29.
Who else is speaking?
No other names have yet been released, but the full bill will be made public later in June.
The 2023 edition will be the last with Nick Barley as director, after he announced he will step down after delivering 14 editions.
In his time, the festival has welcomed guests such as Maria Ressa, Amartya Sen, Joseph Stiglitz, Malala Yousafzai, George RR Martin, Haruki Murakami, Elif Shafak, Hilary Mantel, Ocean Vuong, and Colson Whitehead.
How to get tickets
Tickets go on sale on June 29 and can be bought from the festival’s official website.
For more information, email boxoffice@edbookfest.co.uk or call the box office on 0131 718 5666.
You can also sign up for the latest alerts of festival news here.
