Book festivals previously sponsored by Baillie Gifford seek donations

Partnerships ended over the investment firm’s ties to fossil fuel and Israel, leaving nine book festivals including Hay, Edinburgh and Cheltenham in need of funding

Nine festivals that were previously sponsored by investment company Baillie Gifford are now seeking donations.

“Amidst intense discussion around arts funding and challenges to our continued flourishing”, reads a joint statement, the festivals have “joined forces” to “call for increased support”.