Edinburgh conjures up JK honour

Published on Saturday 28 June 2008 01:10

JK ROWLING is to be honoured at Edinburgh's most prestigious civic award ceremony since Sean Connery was given the freedom of the capital in 1991, The Scotsman has learned.

The multimillionaire creator of Harry Potter, who famously wrote the first book in a city-centre caf, will receive a new award to honour those "whose outstanding achievements have brought honour to Edinburgh".

The city council's Edinburgh Award will also see Ms Rowling immortalised in a Hollywood-style "walk of fame" in the quadrangle outside the City Chambers, where she will leave her handprints.

Scotland's leading literary figures are expected at a gala dinner for the occasion.

A senior source at the city council said: "It should be a fantastic occasion. We're trying to ensure as many other Edinburgh people who have won major awards over the year will be there so they can share in the occasion."

Sir Sean was awarded the Freedom of Edinburgh before a 1,000-strong audience at the Usher Hall in 1991.

The new award is expected to boost Harry Potter's links to Edinburgh, which are already promoted around the world by VisitScotland.

A spokesman said: "The Harry Potter books were started and finished in Edinburgh, and naturally the city attracts a lot of interest from fans around the world."

Ms Rowling was one of several Edinburgh-based writers to front the capital's bid to become the first World City of Literature, which promotes Edinburgh as an inspirational city for writers.

She created the first novel about the schoolboy wizard, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, in a caf in Nicolson Street, while struggling to make ends meet as a single mother.

Harry Potter is now a global brand worth an estimated 7 billion. The last four books have set records as the fastest-selling books in history and the series has been translated into 65 languages.

Plans for the Edinburgh Award were unveiled two years ago by the then-lord provost, Lesley Hinds, when the city council decided to stage an annual ceremony to reflect the contribution of a leading figure from the fields of science, technology, education, arts, business or charity.

Ian Rankin was the first to receive the award, last year.