Edinburgh is a city so imbued with literary culture that it is many bookworms’ dream destination. Part of this literary culture is the plethora of book-related events held in the city. Last week, Lighthouse Books ran their annual radical book fair.
Lighthouse Books is a much beloved “radical” bookshop on West Nicholson Street. Its central location and proximity to campus makes it a popular choice among students. Not only that, but the bookshop has also become a popular stop on ‘bookshop crawls,’ a much-loved social among literature-related societies, thus becoming a staple among university students.
Speaking to an English Literature student at the University of Edinburgh, they said: “I love popping into Lighthouse Books for a quick browse while I’m on campus.” Another student said “[They] love Lighthouse Books. It has such a personal vibe that’s different to big chain bookshops like Waterstones or Blackwells.” Indeed, the bookshop prides itself on its support of “own-voice narratives and diverse writing,” and their “strong commitment to independent presses.” They are part of the plethora of independent Edinburgh bookshops that bring their own unique angle to the literary scene—for Lighthouse Books, that is their “radical” values and their celebration of “diversity of thought and expression, championing voices from the margins.”
Their Radical Book fair is an exemplification of these values and is a way in which they give a platform to marginalised voices. This year, the theme was “ecosystems of change.” This not only embodies issues of climate justice, as the name might suggest, but also explores how dismantling the boundaries between different global issues—such as LGBTQ+ rights, gender inequality, or humanitarian crises—can create “ecosystems of change.”
Events at this year’s book fair covered everything: from women in ancient mythology to drag storytelling for children. Speakers included Palestinian writer Mazen Maarouf, climate activist Mikaela Loach, and human rights lawyer Keio Yoshida—among many other radical writers, performers, and poets. As a celebration of alternative and underrepresented cultures, some of these events defied the boundaries of expected book fair event formats. Many blended readings, performances, and discussions, creating open dialogues and spaces where the audience feels truly involved.
This is one of the reasons why fairs like this are so crucial. Sitting far back in McEwan Hall during the Edinburgh International Book Festival listening to a world-renowned author, you often feel distant and alienated. Smaller scale events like the Radical Book Fair that commit themselves to creating space for discussion eradicate this alienation by inviting the audience to be involved as well. That is not to say that large scale events are necessarily bad—there is a time and place for all types of literary events, and each kind delivers a unique experience.
Another stark difference from larger international festivals is the financial accessibility of this fair. Most events included the option to reserve a free seat, or to purchase a £5 voucher redeemable against the price of the featured book. Money should not be a barrier to participation in events like this, where the core values are breaking down boundaries and including voices from all backgrounds. We are lucky to live in a city where opportunities like this are freely available, and we should strive to make the most of these events.
Last year, the Radical Book Fair was included in The Skinny’s list of “organisations who sought change in 2024.” We must keep our eyes on organisations and events like the Radical Book Fair. It is inspiring to see Edinburgh businesses actively seeking change, upholding their core values, and exemplifying these values in tangible ways that bring together and educate communities. While the Radical Book Fair may be over for this year, Lighthouse Books is a radical space year-round. They are a self-proclaimed “unapologetically activist, intersectional, feminist, antiracist, lgbtq+ community space” and are well worth a visit. As a literature student, I am so grateful to live in a city full of such rich literary culture, and it is places like Lighthouse Books that build this culture and community.
Image Via Matilde Impavido for The Student