Baillie Gifford Ends Sponsorship of Wigtown Book Festival Amid Climate Change Pressure
In a surprising turn of events, investment firm Baillie Gifford has decided to end its long-standing partnership with the Wigtown Book Festival, a beloved literary event in Scotland. The decision comes after pressure from climate change protesters, who have been urging various book festivals to sever ties with sponsors they believe have connections to fossil fuel firms and Israel.
The news was confirmed by the festival’s board, who expressed their regret over the decision. Baillie Gifford had been a supporter of the Wigtown Book Festival for over a decade, helping the event sustain and grow over the years. However, following similar announcements from other Scottish book festivals like the Edinburgh International Book Festival and the Borders Book Festival, the investment firm decided to withdraw its support.
Campaign group Fossil Free Books, which has been advocating for divestment from companies with controversial ties, welcomed the news and praised the festivals for taking a stand. Baillie Gifford, on the other hand, defended its record, stating that it is not a major fossil fuel investor and dismissing claims of significant investments in occupied Palestinian territories as “offensively misleading.”
Despite the controversy surrounding the sponsorship, organizers of the Wigtown Book Festival had previously expressed confidence in the ethical standards of their sponsors. They had described Baillie Gifford as “exemplary supporters” and thanked them for their “stalwart support” over the years.
The end of the partnership marks a significant moment for the Wigtown Book Festival and raises questions about the role of sponsors in supporting cultural events. As the festival prepares for its upcoming edition from 27 September to 6 October, it remains to be seen how the absence of Baillie Gifford’s sponsorship will impact the event.
