Crime does pay!
A crime-writing festival held annually in Aberdeen is amongst five events across the country benefiting from a share of more than £72,000 in the latest awards round of EventScotland’s National Programme Fund.
The Granite Noir Festival, takes place in Aberdeen from February 20-23, 2020, and is produced by Aberdeen Performing Arts (APA) – the charity that runs His Majesty’s Theatre, The Music Hall and The Lemon Tree. This is the fourth year the festival has been held, but the first time it has received funding from EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s events directorate.
This crime writing festival, which has been awarded £25,000, presents a programme of author conversations, family events, walks, concerts, theatre, late night noir and exhibitions across Aberdeen over the last weekend in February, transforming the city into a hub for crime writing lovers of all ages.
It pays homage to the wealth of talent at home and abroad. Scotland’s crime fiction authors have put Scotland on the map internationally, Granite Noir celebrates this and its special relationship with Nordic Noir. Drawing inspiration from the Granite City, Granite Noir explores the enduring appeal of stories with dark plots, complicated motives and characters keeping dark secrets.
The funding will go towards supporting audience development, marketing and promotional activity including specialised PR and social media support. It will also support the event to diversify its programme to offer more unique events to attract a wider audience including younger people.
Jo Robinson, VisitScotland Regional Director, said: “I am delighted that this popular Aberdeen event is to receive funding from EventScotland’s National Programme Fund to continue to build on its success and create an even more appealing proposition to attract spectators – which in turn boosts the area’s reputation
“The National Funding Programme plays a vital role in maintaining Scotland’s reputation as a great destination for events that celebrate our culture and heritage whilst delivering real economic benefits to their local communities.”
Jane Spiers, chief executive of Aberdeen Performing arts, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive support from EventScotland’s National Events Programme for Granite Noir Crime Writing Festival 2020. The support will enable us to realise our ambition, promoting Scotland and Scottish talent, creating opportunities and making connections with writers and readers around the world, attracting wider audiences of all ages from the city and further afield to place Granite Noir on the cultural map in Scotland and promote the North East as a top destination to visit in 2020.”
The National Programme Fund plays an integral role in developing domestic tourism across Scotland by helping to grow the country’s diverse events portfolio.
For more information visit www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/made-in-aberdeen/granite-noir
Granite Noir