Mailbox
THE BOOKWORM THAT TURNED
l wrsh to express my disappointment at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Admittedly, they are capable of attracting some of the biggest names in literature to Edinburgh. and their commitment to children's writing cannot be iinderestirnated. but at what cost to the grassroots literary scene in the capital?
For the past three years I have been forbidden from distributing my free newspaper. the One O'C/ock Gun, in the gardens of Charlotte Square. Apparently a paper such as mine has nothing to do With the Book Festival per se. I find this hard to swallow as the Gun is entirely Edinburgh-based. produced by locals and distributed gratis to the capital‘s lovers of literature.
As Edinburgh is the very first World City of Literature. one would imagine the EIBF should be taking an active role in nurturing local writing at a grassroots level in addition to bringing established literary stars to the capital. I could find no evidence of this in their programme.
Perhaps some of the space in the garden allotted to the booksellers could be put aside for the purpose of a small tent devoted to grassroots publishing from all over Scotland. Readings. debates. workshops etc would be free to the public and the environment would surely encourage many meetings of like-minded souls and give encouragement to the literary sensations of the future. This is. in my opinion, the true purpose of a literary festival. Craig Gibson Editor. One O'C/ock Gun
The List,
Catherine Lockerbie. directOr of the Edinburgh /nternationa/ Book Festivai rep/res: The Book Festival is completely committed tO Scottish writing and to new writing. and is the biggest srngle showcase for both of these. Far from ignoring local writers. as director I posmvely discriminate in favour of them ~ there were over 200 Scottish authors in our programme this year (double the number of only two years ago). many of them as yet unknown, taking part in the festival on an equal basis alongside world- renowned stars.
The space “allotted to the booksellers is a crucial part of our festival. We run our own independent bookselling operation to support the programme and the authors. in which small local publishers are given particular prominence — the festival is an important outlet for those who have difficulty placing their books in commercial bookshops.
Overall our track record in encouraging the literary sensations of the future is second to none. Mr Gibson is extremely welcome to attend next year and see what it is we actually do.
TERROR RAGE
In the last issue. you used the 'review' of United 93 as an opportunity to make an immature swipe at anyone who may be concerned about the threat of terrorism.
You state. that ‘as the allegations and arrests that led to the chaos in UK airports last week are proven to be unfounded. this may be a good time to re-watch (United 93). it may just reignite your passion for the war on terror against all logic and proof'.
14 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TE
Or The List at the CCA
350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3.10 or email editorOlist.co.uk
The allegations against those arrested in the UK are seemingly very far from being unfounded as very serious charges have been made. Was yOur ‘reVIewer' unaware of this? This attempt at ‘right on' political c0rrectness is an insult to anyone who takes this whole appalling issue seriously. G Starr Glasgow
CARDROSS POETRY
LOOKING FOR THE POSSIBLE DANCE Bring back our Dance Halls mth the atmosphere of the legendary Palais. Our capital City of Edinburgh is in a tWilight zone for night life. ViSit Scotland believes my VISion has potential. but all I need is a Mr Money/bags to turn the \nSion into reality.
Joyce Kinnear
Dance Hall Campaigner
As a follow-up to your campaign to save St Peter's Seminary in Cardross, I thought your readers might enjoy my deSCription of this year's Masters course at Glasgow School of Art.
From India. Nigeria. China, Germany. Greece. Cyprus, Kuwait and Northern Ireland came our army of 2005—06. Some made the tramp seeking urban buildings; others. urban dCSlgil. They shared English and a studio. making friends With computer and library as autumn became midwinter. Plato and his followers kept fires flickering in lecture and seminar and boots found footholes in
Glasgow's grid.
Most Budding Urbanists went off recording the dry riverbed-like landscape below the M8 motorway, looking for messages in forgotten territories of grey concrete and broken red sandstone. Others found the altered cross. Channg Cross. where East meets West. For this is a place of our times. the arrival into today's crty of taxis and nightclubs. peenng westwards over the M8 canyon to the proud silence of the Mitchell Library.
The Urban Builders met Mackintosh and his admirers. the architects Gillespie Kidd and Cola. One set off With rucksack and compass to find GKC's respected ruin at St Peter's Cardross. pitching tent in forest to write his tale. The remainder kept to the heights of Garnethill, with instructions to try and talk to Mackintosh with new buildings for Glasgow School of Art. to sit alongside Mackintosh, dressed in his fine old sandstone overcoat on Renfrew Street, hiding magic pockets of shiny sparkle Within.
Arguably the greatest art school, as a work of architecture. in the world. An essay in light onto pine and plaster.
Glasgow sandstone and glazed reflections. all transformed into feeling. Not bad company to keep for
a year's study. Fred Smith
Course supervisor, Glasgow School of Art
THE LETTER OF THE ISSUE WILL RECEIVE ONE BOTTLE OF SAILOR JERRY
SPICED CARIBBEAN RUM
STRONG BUT GOES DOWN SMOOTH
LA 0‘ AND EDINBUR II
What YOU Volver Cameo. Edinburgh, Thu 31 Aug
2 THE LIST 7—21 Sep 2006
Johnny Munro
Film student and duty manager
Although it's not Pedro‘s best film. it has more than
Andwhatajoytoseeith thenewlysavedCameo.
Pascale
Artist
Excellent. A bit of a laugh. A bit sad and a bit mad. Loved it!
Carla
Designer
Fun and heart- warming. Very Latin - it reminded me of home (even though I am Portuguese.
EVENTS GUIDE
CONTRIBUTORS Publisher & General Editor
Rct‘in hedge
EDITORIAL
Editor \icl Ba've‘.
Deputy Editor Mark Robertson Subeditor Allan Radtliffe Research Manager
Julie Graham
Research Henry Iit‘liillllOIt‘ (Clubs folk ROCK 8 .Ia.‘.’l Rachael Street (Around loan Dance Theatre. “Jisual Alt) snn Be.an itomedyl .Julie Graham (Books Classical. film 8 Kidsi Suzanne Black (Rest of Scotland, lilmi
Editorial Intern
Ulla Schott
SALES 8 MARKETING Advertising Sales Manager Rachel Shields
Senior Media Sales Executive BIIQIU Kennedy
Media Sales Executives Richie Meldrum. Claire Dewar Media Sales Support Maxine Cadzow
Promotions Manager
Sheri Triers
Promotions Assistant Madeleine Smith
Circulation Executive
Dds/id Mctlish
PRODUCTION
Art Director Krista Robertson (Maternity Ieavei
Senior Designer
LIIC Campbell
Production Manager
Simon Armin
Designer Lucy Reeves Production Assistant Graham Clouston
ADMINISTRATION Accounts Manager Georgette Renwick Accounts Assistant Manager Donna Taylor
Reception
Stan Bevan
Edinburgh Office Manager Katie Scott
Glasgow Office Manager Sharon Stephen
SECTION EDITORS Around Town Rachael Street Books Brian Donaldson Clubs Henry Northmore IWlIh Sandra Marroni Comedy Brian Donaldson Comics Paul Dale
Dance Kelly Apter
Eat 8 Drink Barry Shelby Film Paul Dale
Gay Robin Lee
Kids Kelly Apter
Music Mark Robertson
IWIIII Norman Chalmers. Carol Main, Kenny Mathieson. Fiona Shepherd)
News Allan Radcliffe
Play Henry Northmore
IWIIII lain Davidson)
Shop Nick Barley
Television Brian Donaldson Theatre Steve Cramer Travel Rachael Street
Visual Art Alexander Kennedy