The Wigtown Book Festival is 'hugely saddened’ after investment company ends 14 year sponsor
The festival generates £4 million pounds to the local economy.
Last updated 6th Jun 2024
The Wigtown book festival become the latest event to end a sponsorship deal with a controversial investment firm.
Baillie Gifford was axed last week by the Edinburgh International Book Festival due to criticism for its holdings in fossil fuels and in companies relating to Israel.
Organisers of the book festival have dealing with the investment company for 14 years which has helped generate £4 million pounds to the region’s economy.
The decision to terminate this relationship with the Wigtown Book Festival was made by Baillie Gifford.
‘We were very saddened, hugely saddened when they decided that they would end our partnership with them that we had for over fourteen years. It’s a huge blow and it really matters’, says Kathy Agnew, chair of the Wigtown Book Festival.
Despite their feelings over the news, we’ve been told that the festival will continue whilst they look for new sponsorships and it will return this year.
‘Well, we’re not going to be deterred, I can assure you. We’ve got a fantastic event happening this year at the end of September start of October and that will be as good as ever – I can assure you.
‘Watch this space! We will do what we possibly can. As I say, we are looking for other sponsors, we will have a big fundraising campaign. We will have a big promotional campaign as well. We’ve got some cracking authors coming this year and there’s some good debates, and good panels, and good walks – everything that Wigtown always has to offer.’ Says Agnew.
She also mentioned that the festival would be a huge loss if it was cancelled as it pulls in people from across the country and they even have people streaming from all over the world.
Organisers say they recognise the importance and impact this has on the area as it not only has a ‘real following’ but it also many creates jobs.
Agnew believes this is a cultural disaster.
She says given the amount of money and support that Baillie Gifford has given over the years to many organisations, they will all be feeling ‘distraught and angry’.
However, despite feeling the pinch, the Wigtown Book Festival won’t let it discourage them and they’re confident that they’ll be able to continue providing for all the book lovers this year and the following years to come.