Gunnar Staalesen and Ian Rankin in literary discussion in Edinburgh, 26 November
The two celebrated crime authors participated in a literary discussion at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 26 November, marking the 25th anniversary of Edinburgh’s Norwegian Christmas tree.
Every year, Hordaland County Council in Bergen presents the City of Edinburgh with the gift of a Christmas tree in memory of the close association arising during the 2nd World War. Marking the opening of the Edinburgh Winter Festival, the Christmas tree lights are switched on and a Scottish/Norwegian concert is held in St. Giles Cathedral.
In order to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Christmas tree, the Norwegian Consulate in Edinburgh and Edinburgh University organised a literary discussion between Staalesen and Rankin, where the two authors were invited to discuss the many similarities in terms of their authorship, the characters they have created in John Rebus and Varg Veum and their close association with the cities in which they both live, Edinburgh and Bergen.
More information here.