A new partnership will introduce poetry and literature into everyday spaces in the city on the tram network.
The history of Edinburgh as the first City of Literature will be celebrated while introducing poetry to passengers while they are on the move.
A selection of work by established poets as well as new and emerging artists will be displayed for people to read during their journeys.
The project was inspired by London’s Poems on the Underground series which has been running for 40 years.
The winning poem from the Tramlines Poetry Competition is Timelines by Stephen Deazley. Other poets include Norman MacCaig, Robin Robertson, Stephanie Green, Zain Rishi, Hannah Lavery, Jess Brough, Bridget Khursheed, Valerie Gillies, Wilfred Owen, Carolina Oliphant, Robert Burns, Dorothy Lawrenso, Jeda Pearl, Medha Singh, Vicki Feaver, Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir/Martin MacIntyre and Theresa Muñoz.
The project also celebrates the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Edinburgh City of Literature and The City of Edinburgh Council, recognising the relationship between the two which has now lasted for two decades.
Both bodies are committed to maintaining the capital’s UNESCO designation which raises the profile of literature in communities and reinforces Edinburgh’s status as a leading cultural city.
The Rt Hon Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, said: “Edinburgh’s reputation as a City of Literature has been built over generations by writers, readers, publishers, libraries, festivals and communities across the city.
“This partnership is about building on that remarkable legacy and creating the conditions for our literary life to continue to flourish. Projects like Tramlines show how literature can be part of everyday life, reaching people in unexpected places and reminding us that stories belong to all of us.”
Dr Harriet MacMillan, Director of Edinburgh City of Literature, said: “We are delighted to formalise our longstanding relationship with the City of Edinburgh Council through this Memorandum of Understanding.
“It reflects our shared ambition to embed literature and storytelling across the life of the city and to ensure that Edinburgh continues to lead internationally as a UNESCO City of Literature.
“The launch of Tramlines is a wonderful example of that ambition in action, bringing poetry directly to residents and visitors as they travel through the city.
“We’re thrilled to see the insightful, inspiring and moving words of some of Edinburgh’s outstanding poets appearing across the tram network, and we hope they encourage moments of reflection, connection and discovery for everyone who reads them.
“We hope that this will be the first of many iterations of Tramlines – we have so many wonderful Edinburgh poets to celebrate!”
Sarah Boyd, Chief Executive of Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams, said: “We are proud to support this initiative in partnership with Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature.
“We hope these poems, including Stephen Deazley’s winning entry, inspire moments of reflection, creativity and enjoyment for our tram customers as they travel across the city.
“Edinburgh’s rich literary heritage deserves to be preserved, celebrated and shared with future generations.”
