Fife-raised internationally bestselling author Ian Rankin has unveiled the programme for Rebusfest – a celebration to mark the 30th anniversary of John Rebus, one of crime fiction’s greatest and best-loved creations.
The three-day festival, curated by Rankin, takes place in Rebus’ home town of Edinburgh from June 30 to July 2, and features a weekend of literature, music, art and film.
At the launch yesterday at Waterstones bookstore in Edinburgh, Ian told The Courier he was “thrilled” that fans would be given the opportunity to step into Rebus’ world with a series of events including a crime working workshop, a Rebusfest quiz and a music night at Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall.
Ian said: “It’s hard for me to believe that it’s been 30 years since John Rebus first appeared between the pages of a book.
“For someone who was only supposed to exist in a single novel, his tenacity has surprised even me.
“But readers have grown to love him, irascible and bull-headed as he often is.
“It’s a joy for me to be celebrating his life so far in the form of his very own festival.
“What John would make of it, only he knows!”
The event is being organised by the Orion Publishing Group in partnership with Edinburgh International Book Festival and Waterstones.
Other supporters include National Museums Scotland, the City of Literature Trust, Edinburgh International Film Festival and Highland Park.
An Edinburgh Ijnternational Book Festival spokesperson said: “It is a great pleasure for the Edinburgh International Book Festival to be supporting Rebusfest.
“Ian Rankin has been a great friend and stalwart champion of the Book Festival, with no August being complete without Ian entertaining audiences with the latest adventures of Rebus.
“Over 30 years Ian has achieved extraordinary success, captivating readers and creating an iconic literary figure who lives beyond the pages of the novels to inhabit the literary imagination of Edinburgh, the first Unesco city of literature. It is only fitting that John Rebus now has his own festival.”
Tickets are on sale now via www.ianrankin.net/rebusfest
A fuller interview with Ian Rankin will appear in The Courier at a future date
