Aye Write: First Minister intervenes after Creative Scotland funding snub for book festival

Humza Yousaf praises cancelled event

First Minister Humza Yousaf has intervened over the cancellation of one of Scotland’s biggest book festivals after it was snubbed for Creative Scotland funding.

Mr Yousaf has pledged that the Scottish Government will explore how it can help secure the future of Glasgow’s long-running Aye Write event after a bid for £77,5000 was rejected.

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon chairs an event with comedian Janey Godley at the Aye Write book festival at the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, last year. Photo: Robert Perry/PA Wire

He pledged action after former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon expressed dismay at the demise of the event and said she hoped funding could be found to revive the event, which has been running since 2005.

The plug was pulled on this year’s festival by Glasgow Life, the council-funded trust which runs & funds many of the city’s leading cultural events & venues.

Asked about Creative Scotland’s decision at First Minister’s Questions, Mr Yousaf described Aye Write as a “fantastic festival.”

He added m: “I would say it is something of a cultural icon, an institution within our festival and cultural landscape.

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf during First Minster's Questions (FMQ's) at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

“Having been alerted to the news I will look at potential support the Scottish Government can provide.”

Posting on social media, Ms Sturgeon said described the loss of the festival as “really bad news."

She added: “Books, culture generally, are so vital to our wellbeing - and never more so than in the troubled times we live in today.

"Book festivals are opportunities to celebrate the wonder of literature and those who create it. We mustn't lose that."

Aye Write, which was launched in 2005, featured around 175 authors appearing in more than 120 events across 10 days last year.

Author and broadcaster Muriel Gray said: “Genuinely sad to hear this. A terrific festival that brought such a variety of amazing people to the city.

Author Chris Brookmyre said: “Really disappointed that Aye Write has been cancelled due to a lack of public funding.

"It’s been one of the biggest fixtures on Scotland's cultural calendar for well over a decade, and it always meant a lot to me to take part in my hometown book festival.”

Glasgow Life has also shelved the Wee Write book festival for children and young people, which was held separately from Aye Write.

A spokeswoman for Glasgow Life said: “The Aye Write and Wee Write book festivals celebrate the joy of reading, writing, and books, bringing audiences and authors together.

"Their delivery is dependent on securing external funding and while bids for funding support continue to exceed monies available, especially during the current difficult economic climate, some events will inevitably miss out.

“Aye Write and Wee Write have developed and grown over the years thanks, in part, to support through Creative Scotland.

"Our 2024 funding application to Creative Scotland was not successful so Aye Write and Wee Write will not be able to take place as festivals this year. We appreciate this will cause considerable disappointment.

“Glasgow Life will organise some pop-up Aye Write events during 2024 and will develop an application for multi-year funding starting in 2025, which if successful, means a return for the festivals next year.”

A spokeswoman for Creative Scotland said: “We recognise the significance of Aye Write to audiences and the literature sector and understand that this is disappointing news.

“The National Lottery open fund for organisations remains available to Aye Write to apply for further funding, and we welcome future applications.”