An Open Book

As it marks its 20th year, the warm and welcoming Borders Book Festival continues to showcase a dazzling roster of literary talent

- ALEX CORLETT

IF ever a job could be called a labour of love, it's Alistai Moffat's founding and running of the Borders Book Festival in Melrose. Reaching 20 years old this year, it's little surprise that it would prove such a success given Alistair's stellar five-year tenure as rector of the Fringe at the Edinburgh Festival. From 1976, Alistair oversaw the Fringe's growth from curious sideshow to an event that arguably overshadows the main festival.

What had Alistair learned from his time at the Fringe that helped him build a successful book festival?

"Shorter is better! What you're trying to create is the sense of a celebration - of a party - and also something that's not repeatable. You can't replicate this atmosphere online. You can't find it on YouTube or Netflix.

"Also, what we did at Melrose was choose not to have it in a building. It's all in marquees. It feels a bit like a wedding or a country show. It's held in the Harmony Garden, just next to the abbey and surrounded by the hills. It's beautiful."

Reflecting the universal appeal of the location is the talent roster. Alistair's always sought to bring in a broad range of names to the festival.

"When I started this 20 years ago, I immediately thought I've got to get as many really famous people along as I possibly can - even if they didn't have a book. It's not just for intellectuals or retired primary school teachers or librarians. We want everyone to know that it's for them."

Marketing itself as the "friendliest" book festival around, it promises an informal atmosphere with a wide range of activities for children - free for accompanying adults and often free for the children - a food market selling local produce and a small geographical footprint.