Beyond Borders International Festival Launches 10thAnniversary Programme

Beyond Borders Scotlandhas announced the programme for the 10thannualBeyond Borders International Festival,with a range of international and Scottish writers, thinkers, diplomats and politicians returning tothe grounds ofTraquairHouse on August24 & 25 2019.

Among the speakers taking part in this year’sMain Tent ProgrammeareStaffan deMisturawhogivesa unique insight into what it’s like to bethe United NationsSpecial Envoyto Syria;Channel 4International Editor,LindseyHilsum,whospeaks to the BBC’s Razia Iqbalabouther biography offormer Beyond Bordersparticipant,Marie Colvin;andhistorianBettany Hugheswhoexplorespeacemakingand reconciliation throughout history.

In other main stage events,author William Dalrympletalks toMoin Mir about his book onthe Indian rulerwho took on the East India Company. Elsewhere, veteran American commentator Edward Jay Epstein explores the current situation inUS politics with Vicky Ward and JimNaughtie.

Closer to home,Allan Little speaksto Sir Tom Devine about the Scottish Clearances,while Rosemary Goring and Ruth Wishart take a look at the history of Scotland through the eyes of Scotland’s women, and Professor Sir Hew Strachan invites us to reflect on the nature of remembrance and commemoration.At a nationallevel,a panel including columnist and broadcasterSteve Richards examinesthe current state of affairs indomesticpolitics with Magnus Linklater. The weekendwrapsup with a look back at‘Ten Years that Shook the World’, with insights from a range of broadcasters, diplomats, writers, and artists from across the weekend’s programme.

The Festival also seesBeyond Borders Scotland deepenitscollaboration withThe NewYorkTimeswithsessions on democracy in the digital agewith Amanda Taub,andthe multi-faceted impact of climate change,exploring Pulitzer Prize-winning photographerJosh Haner’sstunning photographic exhibition,Carbon’s Casualties,whichwill hangoutdoorsinan unique exhibition inthe Walled Garden ofTraquairHouse throughout August.

Mark Muller Stuart, Executive-Director of Beyond Borders said; ‘We are delighted to launch this year’s programme and celebrate the tenth anniversary of this important event with anotherstellar castof speakers and performers from Scotland and across the globe. The Festival provesthatthethirstforhumandebate and the desire to listen to thefirst-handexperiences and stories of others remainsundiminished notwithstanding the rise ofthedigital age.What better place to do it than in the tranquil setting ofTraquairinthe Scottish Borders!’

Throughout the weekend, there will be musical performances, includingfrom local singer-songwriter Millie Hanlon-Cole and Ghanaian-born musicianandTheVoice participant,Emmanuel Smith-Tali, while renowned composer Nigel Osborne MBE leads another journey through the grounds ofTraquairaccompanied by Syrian oud, violin, cello, and gongs.Once again,the Festival also welcomes a rangeoffemale culturalleadersfrom across the Middle East and South Asia as part of the Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship Programme, exploring the use of the arts as apeacemakingtool.Listen to their stories in the Walled Garden.

TheWalled Gardenalso hosts well-being activities including meditation, yoga, and cycle rides, as well as a story-telling walk with local storyteller Mary Kenny, and a foraging walk taking in the scenery of the new path betweenInnerleithenandTraquairHouse with FiMartynoga.

Catherine Maxwell Stuart, 21stLady ofTraquairHouse, noted “We are looking forward to welcoming audiences toTraquairHouse, and to showcasing a wealth of local and international talent in a programme of visual and performing arts, music, film and food and drink in the surroundings of the Walled Garden”.

Razia Iqbal, journalist and broadcaster,describesher experience of theBeyond BordersFestival: “It’s intimate, it’s expansive, it’s joyful, and an engaging festival to be at.”

The full Beyond Borders Scotland Summer Events Programme and Box Office is available online atwww.beyondbordersscotland.com

Tickets: Weekend Pass £49/Day Pass £26/Walled Garden only £12/Walks and Cycle Rides £6. Concessions 20% discount. For more information, emailinfo@beyondbordersscotland.comor call 0131 290 2686

Join the debate at the Beyond Borders International Festival.

Notes for Editor

• For press tickets, or to arrange any interviews, please contact Emily Gifford at egifford@beyondbordersscotland.com, or on 0131 290 2686  
• Beyond Borders Scotland is an Edinburgh and Scottish Borders-based NGO dedicated to fostering peace and greater understanding between peoples, small nations and different cultures from around the world. Throughout the year they run a number of programmes at home and abroad, culminating in August with the Beyond Borders International Festival. For more information, visit www.beyondbordersscotland.com