Great expectations were exceeded at an international literary festival in Aberdeen last weekend which drew hundreds of scholars from across the globe to celebrate the works of Charles Dickens.
Academics, writers and fans of the Victorian author travelled from as far afield as Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the US to the Granite City to take part in the annual conference of the International Dickens Fellowship, a worldwide organisation that promotes and studies the influential writer.
Organised by Paul Schlicke, an Aberdeen University lecturer and renowned expert on Dickens-related material, the festival ran from July 20 to 25.
Visitors took part in banquets, held readings of the author’s greatest stories, enjoyed discussions by contemporary authors, and explored the city of Aberdeen, where Dickens visited twice, and was once almost made the rector of Marischal College.
Mr Schlicke said: “We had around 450 people attend the highlight of the festival, which was a discussion of Dickens with the writer Ian Rankin and presenter Jim Naughtie, and about 100 people attended the rest of the events throughout the week.
“So it was a fantastic turnout. We played the tartan card all week long, and made sure all the attendees knew of Dickens’ connection to Aberdeen, as of course he famously almost became the rector of Marischal College, but turned it down because one of his friends was the incumbent who the students were trying to kick out.
“Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves, we had a screening of a specially made film, a banquet in the Town House with the Lord Provost, and many attendees came to some of the events dressed in Victorian clothing.
“It was a great success, and I hope everyone that came along from around the world will remember their Scottish experience for years to come.”
