Climate activists have successfully pressured the Edinburgh International Book Festival to end its 20-year funding partnership with sponsors Baillie Gifford, citing the investment company’s ties to fossil fuels. This decision comes after similar action was taken by the Hay festival in Wales last week.
The move follows a campaign by more than 50 authors calling for the festival to sever ties with Baillie Gifford, which led to climate change activist Greta Thunberg cancelling her appearance at the event. The festival’s chairman, Allan Little, expressed concerns about the constant threat of disruption from activists, making it difficult to deliver a safe and sustainable festival in August.
Baillie Gifford’s Nick Thomas defended the company’s ethical record, stating that demanding divestment from global companies like Amazon and Meta serves no purpose. However, pressure from groups like Fossil Free Books has led to a series of festivals cutting ties with the investment firm.
The decision to end the partnership has sparked debate about the future of funding for arts organizations and the impact of activism on cultural events. The festival’s chief executive, Jenny Niven, expressed regret over the situation, emphasizing the need to focus on delivering a successful event for audiences.
While activists see this as a victory in their campaign for divestment, others worry about the potential consequences for the festival and the broader arts community. The festival’s role as a platform for progressive and nuanced discussions is now in jeopardy, raising concerns about the future of similar events in the UK.
