The Word Festival, which goes annual this year, is one of the most popular literary events in Scotland and takes place at the University of Aberdeen and various venues throughout the city. Now in its fourth year, it attracts thousands of people to its packed weekend programme of readings, lectures, debates, music, visual arts exhibitions and film screenings by some of the finest, award-winning Scottish and international writers and artists.

Alexander McCall Smith

Festival Highlights
This year\'s exciting programme of events features the usual high-profile and high-quality line-up of authors including

• Crime writer Ian Rankin, author of the highly acclaimed No 1 Ladies\' Detective Agency Alexander McCall Smith, top comedian and new literary talent Rhona Cameron, and Orange Shortlisted Prize Winner 2003 Anne Donovan.
• William Dalrymple, internationally acclaimed travel writer and winner of the Scottish Arts Council\'s Book of the Year Award.
• Poet Jack Mapanje, imprisoned without trial in Malawi by Hastings Banda and whose work is characterised by generosity of spirit and irrepressible humour.

This year also sees the first ever children\'s programme for Word, which will take place in a special tent on King\'s Lawn, Old Aberdeen featuring free events for kids including appearances by much-loved authors Jeremy Strong, Harry Horse, Ian Whybrow and Cathy Cassidy, as well as workshops on hip hop and writing rap, and dinosaur and nature sessions run by Aberdeen\'s Natural History Centre.

Tickets and Information
Admission to most Word events is free although to avoid disappointment, it is strongly recommended that you book your place in advance. You can book tickets for all events at King\'s College and the Children\'s Programme by calling 01224 273874.