Introduction - Part One

The Herald's Andy Dougan introduces Paulo Coelho to an audience of the Herald and Sunday Herald readers, to what is Coelho's only speaking event in the UK at the SECC in Glasgow. The evening will be shaped by questions from both Andy Dougan and the audience.

The first question presented to Coelho asks why he has chosen Glasgow for his only appearance. Coelho confesses to being shy in front of an audience, and admits to this not only being his sole UK appearance but his first public appearance in five months.

Continuing, Coelho describes his Institute, which he began with his wife in 1996 after his books started selling well worldwide. The project aims to transform Coelho's dream into a reality, in offering opportunities to children in run-down areas of Rio de Janiero, Brazil. All proceeds of the evening will go towards this project. Coelho thus sees the evening as a collaboration with Glasgow to maintain the Paulo Coelho Institute, which currently looks after 430 children.

Text by Finlay Gall

Please see Paulo Coelho's web site for more details.