Nicola Sturgeon has been confirmed as a guest chair at the Paisley Book Festival.

The First Minister will appear at UWS Hall on Friday, February 17, as in-person discussions return to the event for the first time since the pandemic.

She will be discussing Homelands, a book about the friendship formed by a Jewish refugee who fled Nazi Germany and the author, Chitra Ramaswamy.

It tells the story of the decade-long relationship between Chitra and 98-year-old Henry Wuga, who came to the UK on a Kindertransport in the spring of 1939 before settling in Glasgow.

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The book includes a century of history, migration, antisemitism, racism, family, belonging, grief, resilience and heart.

It also explores Chitra and Henry's friendship by interweaving their family histories.

Glasgow Times: Award-winning journalist and author Chitra RamaswamyAward-winning journalist and author Chitra Ramaswamy (Image: Sourced)

Award-winning journalist and author Chitra said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be chaired by the First Minister, and look forward to discussing some of the ideas raised in Homelands which I know also hold meaning for her.

“This includes the importance of cross-cultural and intergenerational relationships, the lessons we can and must learn from history, and what it means to belong in a modern Scotland.”

In a first for the Paisley Book Festival, the majority of events will allow those attending to pay what they can, in recognition of the cost-of-living crisis.

Organisers hope the move will help to make the festival accessible to all with no questions asked.

Glasgow Times:

The event, produced and delivered by OneRen, will run over four days from February 16 to 19.

It features events with the Hebridean Baker, Darren McGarvey, Jackie Kay and Michael Pedersen, and Denise Mina and Tariq Ashkanani among others.

Tickets cost between £8 and £10 and can be booked here.

 

 

The festival will be based in the University of the West of Scotland’s Union as a main venue, as well as Paisley Central Library and a new venue at the Art Department, Outspoken Arts.

The Paisley Book Festival is supported by Future Paisley, the wide-ranging programme of events, activity and investment using Paisley’s unique and internationally-significant cultural stories to transform its future.

It is funded by Renfrewshire Council and Creative Scotland and delivered by OneRen.

OneRen is the local charitable trust in Renfrewshire providing culture, leisure and sporting opportunities to help people enjoy active and healthy lives.