Wigtown Book Festival 2020 will take place online
One of southern Scotland's biggest arts events, that is usually worth millions of pounds to the local economy, will take place online this year.
Organisers of the Wigtown Book Festival say the move to a digital gathering could help attract new audiences.
Maintaining its pre-announced dates, from 25 September to 4 October, the 2020 festival will have two main themes: Resilience and Connection.
As well as live online speaker events, the festival will feature its usual mix of film events, art exhibitions, music and performance.
A crowdfunding page will also be set up this summer to help support the festival.
Creative director Adrian Turpin said: “A key aim this year will be to raise the profile of Scotland’s National Book Town in Wigtown, its businesses and the cultural attractions of Dumfries & Galloway.
"The Wigtown Book Festival has a powerful role to play as we all look forward to eventual recovery, when the region will be able to welcome visitors again.
“Nobody wanted this situation but a digital festival gives us opportunities to reach new audiences locally, nationally and internationally.”
“We have already put a lot of effort into creating original digital content, because we felt it was vital to engage our existing audiences and attract new ones throughout the crisis.
"This experience will stand us in good stead as we deliver a fully digital festival this year, with the hope that in 2021 we can all gather together again in one place.”
Related: