As 2021 draws to a close, we’d like to thank everyone who has engaged with and supported the Paisley Book Festival. This year has not been without its challenges, but there’s a lot to be proud of too. We began the year with our first ever fully digital festival; a contingency response to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. We were unsure what this would mean for a small festival going into its second year. However, we were delighted to discover that offering our festival in a digital format didn’t deter our community from joining us, and in fact, it meant that we reached new audiences all over the world. This was also a beautiful learning exercise for us in terms of what it means to be more accessible and responsive to the needs of everyone who works with and attends the Paisley Book Festival.
We recognise that as we say goodbye to 2021, 2022 arrives with similar levels of uncertainty. We are keeping a close eye on the COVID situation and are conscious that the rise of the Omicron variant is a significant cause for concern. At the moment our plan for the 2022 Festival is still to present it using a blended model of live and in-person events alongside a digital strand of the programme. However, the safety of our audiences, programme contributors, staff and volunteers is our first priority, and we want to assure you that our Festival team are working very hard on thorough Covid security measures, health and safety procedures and contingency planning. You can find out more about our COVID-19 safety policy for the Festival on our website here.
We will be responding to new information and official guidance as we receive it. There will be more regular updates to our planning in early January and the easiest way to stay up to date is to sign up to our mailing list here and to keep an eye on our social media. Current ticket holders will also receive updates directly to their inbox in early January 2022. Any queries about tickets should be sent to boxoffice@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
The Festival Team are now winding down for Christmas and the office will be closed until the first week of January 2022.
In the meantime, thank you once again for your support of the Paisley Book Festival. It means the world and is the reason we are able to keep going in what has been a very trying time for all events and cultural activity. Please stay safe, be kind and patient with each other and yourself, and have a restful festive season. However you choose to celebrate, we hope it involves finding some time to curl up with a good book.
With best wishes and hope for the future,
The Paisley Book Festival Team.
