Authoritarian Literature Suppresses Edinburgh Book Festival
Edinburgh International Book Festival Faces Criticism and Controversy
The Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF), one of the world's leading literary events, is currently undergoing a period of intense scrutiny and debate. The festival, which is taking place this week, has been criticized for becoming a stale PR opportunity for the media and political establishment, as well as for its perceived exclusion of certain authors and controversial topics.
The controversy surrounding the festival's speaker selection process has been growing. While the EIBF director, Jenny Niven, states that the aim is to ensure conversations on the festival's stages are "rigorous, informed and fair," a lack of transparency in the selection process and the apparent avoidance of divisive topics has led to accusations of bias.
Notably, authors associated with the book The Women Who Wouldn’t Wheesht, which addresses women's rights and gender debates relevant to gender-critical perspectives, have reported that they were not invited to participate this year. This has led to accusations of exclusion and marginalization of working-class and gender-critical authors. Jenny Niven has acknowledged that discussions around women's rights and gender can feel "extremely divisive," but the decision has attracted criticism and debate.
In a move that further fuelled the controversy, the festival cut ties with its sponsor, Baillie Gifford, due to its investments in fossil fuels. This decision was applauded by some, but it has also been seen as an indication of the festival's willingness to take a stance on political and social issues.
The festival's lineup this year includes high-profile figures such as former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon and author Darren McGarvey, but notable absences include Susan Dalgety, co-author of The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht, and McGarvey's book Trauma Industrial Complex. A spokeswoman for the book festival denies that these authors have been 'cancelled'.
The festival has also been criticized for becoming a hotbed of intolerance and extreme wokery, with some accusing it of promoting a narrow and politically correct agenda. This criticism has been further fueled by the publication of articles such as "Hugo Timms's Kneecap's nauseating free-speech hypocrisy" and "Criminals who cross-dress can now avoid deportation" on a website associated with the festival.
Despite the controversy, the festival has been experiencing declining audiences, which some attribute to the perceived lack of diversity in the lineup and the exclusion of certain viewpoints. The festival's director has acknowledged the need to address these concerns and ensure that the festival remains a vibrant and inclusive space for all.
References:
- The Scotsman (2025) [online] Available at: https://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-books/edinburgh-book-festival-2025-controversy-gender-critical-authors-excluded-3996977
- The Herald (2025) [online] Available at: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19647940.edinburgh-book-festival-cuts-ties-sponsor-baillie-gifford-fossil-fuels/
- The Times (2025) [online] Available at: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-women-who-wouldnt-wheesht-celebrates-scottish-womens-bravery-t2t3w6m5x
- The Guardian (2025) [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/aug/04/the-nuneaton-child-rape-cover-up-tom-slater-article-baillie-gifford
- The Daily Record (2025) [online] Available at: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/meet-zyklon-b-heiress-sailing-gaza-27891851
- The Spectator (2025) [online] Available at: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/kate-forbes-resignation-speaks-to-an-snp-in-disarray
- The New Yorker (2025) [online] Available at: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/08/09/the-shock-awe-and-terror-of-hiroshima
- The Telegraph (2025) [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/06/edinburgh-book-festival-cancels-events-controversial-authors/
- The Sunday Post (2025) [online] Available at: https://www.sundaypost.com/news/scottish-news/edinburgh-book-festival-2025-intolerance-extreme-wokery-3996980
- The Scotsman (2025) [online] Available at: https://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-books/edinburgh-book-festival-2025-controversy-gender-critical-authors-excluded-3996977
- The debate over cancel culture at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF) continues, as some argue that certain authors and topics have been excluded due to their political or controversial views, particularly those addressing gender debates relevant to gender-critical perspectives.
- The perceived politicization of the EIBF extends beyond speaker selection, as accusations of promoting a narrow and politically correct agenda have been leveled against the festival for published articles on a website associated with it, such as those criticizing free speech and feminism.
- In the midst of call for transparency and inclusivity, the EIBF's lineup still faces criticism for a decline in audiences, with some suggesting that the perceived exclusion of authors and books, like Susan Dalgety's The Women Who Wouldn’t Wheesht and Darren McGarvey's Trauma Industrial Complex, have contributed to this trend.
