Sir Salman Rushdie was among those who took part in the festival (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Organisers have said they are “absolutely thrilled” at the success of the Edinburgh International Book Festival which drew more than 100,000 visits this month. Writers Margaret Atwood, Richard Osman, Sir Salman Rushdie, Philippa Gregory and Marian Keyes were among those who took part in the event, which ended on Sunday August 25. Figures from across the political spectrum also appeared, including Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, Home Office minister Jess Phillips, former Green MP Caroline Lucas, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
More than 100,000 visits were made to the festival’s new home at the newly opened Edinburgh Futures Institute, with ticket and book sales significantly up on previous years, organisers said. Margaret Atwood was among those to appear at the festival (Ian West/PA) There were almost 600 events and more than 200 of them sold to 90% capacity or more. Jenny Niven, director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the success of the Book Festival this year.
“Audiences have voted with their feet and we’ve seen full houses and brilliant, engaged crowds. “Debate and discussion has been relished by audiences and authors alike proving the Festival is a truly important space for people to be inspired and come together. “Edinburgh Futures Institute as a Book Festival venue has b.