25,000 free books flood Edinburgh in February

25,000 free copies of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped are to be distributed throughout Edinburgh in February in a campaign to get the city’s residents reading the same book.  Edinburgh’s first citywide reading campaign is a unique project created by the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature.

One Book - One Edinburgh aims to get as many Edinburgh citizens as possible reading this exciting adventure story – on their own initiative, or through libraries, schools and book groups.  The campaign is supported by more than 30 partner organisations from across the city with a large public programme of events backing up the reading campaign in February.

Three new editions of Stevenson's great adventure story have been created - a paperback, a fantastic new graphic novel and a simplified version.   Of the 25,000, there will be 10,000 copies of the original text with a preface by Louise Welsh in a beautiful new paperback edition from Canongate. In a major coup for Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature there will also be 7,500 copies of a specially commissioned graphic novel by internationally renowned comic book artists, author Alan Grant and illustrator Cam Kennedy, who between them have created classics of the genre such as Judge Dredd, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight and two series of Star Wars graphics.  Finally there are 7,500 copies of a simplified retold edition created especially for a younger audience. 

Free copies of the three editions of the book will be distributed across the city in February to every primary and secondary school, to every public library and to partner organisations.  From 1st February, members of the public can drop into their local library to claim a free copy while stocks last.

Ali Bowden, Manager of the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust, said “Kidnapped, the epic adventure of young David Balfour, is a fantastic story set in one of the most dramatic periods of Scotland’s history and Stevenson is a great Edinburgh author.  We are very excited to be bringing this wonderful book to an Edinburgh readership in these new formats. The different editions will appeal to different readers, and will enable us to reach the widest possible audience.”

Gavin Wallace, Head of Literature at the Scottish Arts Council, said “We are absolutely delighted to be funding this exciting campaign through the National Lottery.  It is the first of its kind in Scotland and is a totally collaborative project with one single aim – to get Edinburgh reading.”

Barclay Price, Director of Arts & Business Scotland, said “This is a terrific project and I am delighted that Arts & Business has been able to match the sponsorship of Third Eye Design with a Scottish Executive New Arts Sponsorship Award to enable the production of the graphic novel version.”

The public programme totals more than 30 events, including exhibitions, a literary walking tour following in Stevenson’s footsteps and a series of readings in conjunction with the National Library of Scotland, the first of which will take place on 1st February when Ian Rankin joins others to discuss the gothic, the criminal and Stevenson.   For a younger audience, Donald Smith, Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, has scripted an irreverent and cheeky take on the Kidnapped story – When Kilts Were Banned – storytelling theatre with the bare essentials: wit, humour, falling out, friendship and growing up – but no kilts.  The 1971 classic film of the story, starring Michael Caine and Donald Pleasence, will be shown at the Filmhouse on 24th February.  The full programme of events can be found on the City of Literature website.

Notes to editors

One Book – One Edinburgh citywide reading campaign
1. EUCLT - The One Book - One Edinburgh campaign is a flagship project for Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust. The Trust’s aims are to promote book culture in Edinburgh, to encourage involvement in Scotland’s literature and to develop literary partnerships around the world.

2. WEBSITE - Over the month of January the City of Literature website will also feature reading lists, Stevenson information, a map of Stevenson’s Edinburgh, information about the making of each of the new editions and a variety of activities for all ages - from downloadable templates for tri-cornered hats to ideas for Kidnapped-inspired lessons, puzzles, interactive games, worksheets and craft ideas. Several Edinburgh schools are already planning Kidnapped days, complete with teachers dressed in 18th century costumes.

3. PARTNERS - The One Book – One Edinburgh citywide reading campaign is a collaborative project co-ordinated by EUCLT with support from the National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council with the award of  £26,500 in November 2006.

4. Thanks are due to all those who have given their time and support, especially our sponsors, funders and partners: City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Arts Council, The National Lottery, Third Eye Design, Scottish & Newcastle, Don Johnston Inc., University of Edinburgh, Arts and Business and the Scottish Executive New Arts Sponsorship Award, Royal Mail, The Russell Trust, The Binks Trust, The Cruden Foundation, Waverley Books, Canongate Books, BookSource, The Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh International Book Festival, National Library of Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council Libraries and Children and Families Department, Information Learning Resources, Scottish Council for Independent Schools, The Robert Louis Stevenson Club, The Scottish Poetry Library, North Edinburgh Arts Centre, WHALE Arts Centre, Craigmillar Community Arts, Gracemount Youth and Community Centre ‘The Mansion’, Scottish Book Trust, Black and White Publishing, Itchy Coo, Barrington Stoke, Filmhouse, Edinburgh World Heritage, The Writers’ Museum, The City Arts Centre, Waterstone’s, Blackwell, HMP Edinburgh, The Big Issue in Scotland, VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian), Ten Hill Place Hotel and the Scottish Publishers Association.

5. AWARDS – The citywide reading campaign received funding via the Scottish Executive New Arts Sponsorship Award with Third Eye Design. 

6. For more information visit www.cityofliterature.com  

Contact email(s)

media.office@scottisharts.org.uk

Issued by: Scottish Arts Council