FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY 21ST FEBRUARY 2008
SEEK OUT YOUR FREE JEKYLL & HYDE BOOK TODAY
Edinburgh became a city
of readers today with the launch of the 2008 One Book - One Edinburgh citywide
reading campaign co-ordinated by the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature
Trust. 10,000 free copies of R L Stevenson’s classic tale, Strange
Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde will be distributed around the city, with
copies being handed out by schools, libraries and partner organisations.
Edinburgh’s residents can claim a free copy of the book by calling into any of
the city’s libraries – while stocks last.
A number of
internationally renowned authors have backed the campaign. Alexander
McCall Smith said “The idea of one city reading one book is an immensely
attractive one, particularly when that book is by one of the city’s favourite
writers. Stevenson wrote about Edinburgh even when he appeared to be writing
about somewhere else. So Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a good choice. And if
it scares you, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that lots of other
people will be scared at the same time.”
Ian Rankin said “Dr
Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a novel I return to year after year, always finding some
new layer of possible meaning. As a foray into humankind’s dark heart, it is
without parallel.” While Irvine Welsh commented “Stevenson is probably
Scotland's greatest writer and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is his best work, a
telling and timeless parable on the human condition.”
This year’s campaign
focuses on community reading, with people and organisations from across the
city getting involved, including more than 70 book groups reading the book at
the same time, coming together to discuss it and passing on reviews.
There are over 40 events arranged over the next 10 days, some of which have
proved hugely popular and are already fully booked. Cam Kennedy and Alan
Grant will be launching their new graphic novel, and Ian Rankin will be
speaking about the people and places that inspired Stevenson to create this
gruesome tale. There are a range of walking tours - Stevenson’s Edinburgh, The
Jekyll & Hyde City and Deacon Brodie’s Old Town - art workshops and movie
screenings. Full details of the public programme of events can be found at www.cityofliterature.com.
Sandy Crombie, Chair of the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust,
said: “Our campaign last year was a wonderful success, and thanks to our
partners, this year we have another great programme of events with more than 30
organisations coming together to celebrate reading and a great Scottish
author’.
Donald Smith, Director of
the Scottish Storytelling Centre, has written a 45-minute performance piece
entitled ‘Jekyll & Hyde - a Specimen’, which sets the classic tale in
modern Edinburgh. This will be touring schools, community centres, HM
Prison Edinburgh and a public performance will take place at the Storytelling
Centre on Saturday 1st March.
Every high school in
Edinburgh has received a set of the books, and a number have decided to take
things a little further. Holy Rood High School will be taking pupils on a
literary walk before having group discussions about the book and author. The
Royal High School S3 pupils are working on split personality themes and gothic
horror, and will be producing story boards as part of their media product
project. Trinity High School will be working with their art department,
photography unit and English department to produce cartoon strips, images and
poems, plays and short stories respectively to tell the story of Jekyll &
Hyde.
Gavin Wallace, Head of Literature at the Scottish Arts Council, said
‘Following the outstanding success of the 2007 Kidnapped reading
campaign, I’m sure that Jekyll and Hyde will similarly capture the
imaginations of Edinburgh’s readers, whether new to this Scottish literary
masterpiece or not. Stevenson’s profound study of human duality, while
universal, is also deeply permeated with its author’s fascination for the
strange contrariness of his native Edinburgh, and this campaign is sure to
bring both book and city to vivid life!’
George
Grubb, Lord Provost of Edinburgh said: “Edinburgh will become one
big book club as thousands pick up their free copy of this classic tale of good
and evil. People of all ages and abilities will share
a connection through the campaign and Edinburgh will buzz
with talk of Dr Jekyll's hideous transformation. It's the perfect
opportunity for people of all ages to visit the local library, not only for
their free copy of Jekyll & Hyde, but also to learn more about what
fantastic services the city's libraries have to offer."
“Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong learning said
“There are few authors better than Robert Louis Stevenson in tempting the
reader to turn to the first page of a book and remain hooked until “The End”.
By providing this wonderful opportunity for people of all abilities to connect
through this thrilling novel, this campaign highlights the enjoyment to be
found in all kinds of Scottish literature. Every Scot – no matter
their background - should have the curiosity, desire and ability to pick up a
book and read to their heart’s content.”
For
further information please contact:
Frances
Sutton
A
photocall will be held on Thursday 21st February at 12.00noon
At
St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile, Edinburgh
Edinburgh UNESCO City
of Literature Trust
9/2 Tweeddale Court,
14 High Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 1TE
[email protected]
0131 557 9821 www.cityofliterature.com
Edinburgh
World City of Literature Trust is a limited company (270581) registered as a
charity (SC035697)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FEBRUARY 2008 – Edinburgh is reading Strange Case of
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Are
you reading the book? Let us know what you think! Visit our website to find out
how
to
get involved in the citywide reading campaign - www.cityofliterature.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust
9/2
Tweeddale Court
14
High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1TE
Tel.
(0) 131 557 9821
In
2004 Edinburgh became the world's first UNESCO City of Literature,
pioneer in a new international network of cities under UNESCO’s Creative Cities
programme. The City of Literature Trust is a charity that works with
partners to promote literary activity in Edinburgh, champion Scotland’s
literature and develop literary partnerships around the world.
Find
out more about Edinburgh’s world of words - join our free e-bulletin - www.cityofliterature.com
Edinburgh World City of Literature Trust has its registered office
at the above address, and is a company limited by guarantee (No. 270581) with
charitable status (SC035697).
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