Audiences can see it for themselves with 50% off Preview Night tickets on sale now
Scottish musician Nathan Evans has revealed his pride after discovering his hit ‘Wellerman’ will be part of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo this summer.
The 29-year-old shot to fame when the sea shanty went viral across TikTok in 2020 which led to a record deal and a Number 1 single in several countries.
Now it has been revealed that the famous track will form part of the Tattoo performance, with His Majesty’s Royal Marines Band taking it on, alongside some traditional navy tunes and sea shanties.
Nathan said: “What an incredible honour to have my song featured as part of the Tattoo.
“Growing up in Scotland, I think the Tattoo is something you’re always aware of and feel that sense of pride about so to have my song included is a real pinch-me moment.
“Since I released Wellerman, things have obviously changed dramatically for me but this is the icing on the cake and I can’t wait to see the song come to life as part of the amazing performances this summer.”
This year’s Tattoo performances will run from 2-24 August, with guests from around the world coming to experience the Journeys Show.
For fans eager to see the special performance of Wellerman alongside other world-class acts from across the globe, special preview night tickets are on sale from TODAY Monday 24 June, with up to 50% off standard ticket prices.
Journeys will celebrate the journey of connection through music, dance, culture, and military traditions.
The Show will be the third under the Tattoo’s bold brand proposition, Performance in a New Light, and will follow the successes of the last two years shows, Voices and Stories, under creative Director Michael Braithwaite Journeys merges the traditional military elements that the Tattoo is known and loved for, with modern touches through creative projection, technology, costume design and music inspirations.
Michael Braithwaite, Creative Director of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, says “While the Tattoo has a proud history of the very finest world-class military and civilian performances; innovation and Scottish culture have also been a core tradition of the show since its first days.
Nathan’s much-deserved success and passion for Scottish music represent everything we hold dear at the Tattoo. He has taken a 19th century sea shanty and brought it to the modern era to great acclaim. We are thrilled to be presenting Wellerman, as a feature with the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines, our lead service, and a highlight of the journey our audience will embark upon this year.”
The Castle Esplanade will be filled with over 800 international performers from far and wide to showcase their epic journey, through vibrant dance, music, visual artistry and so much more.
Expressing their unique cultures, this Show will host talents from the USA, India, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, and homegrown acts from around the UK. Through an artistic odyssey, expect a wide variety of enthralling action featuring world-leading talent.
With the Royal Navy as lead service, the Show will pay homage to the seafarers that brave the ocean to travel across continents bringing people and cultures together
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone, 0131 225 1188. The Show will run from 2-24 August 2024, with Presenting Partner, Innis & Gunn, offering a bar service at the event.
Tickets for 2025’s Show celebrating the 75th Anniversary of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will go on sale in August during Journeys.
Join us in your Scottish Parliament to have your say on the issues that matter to you
The Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics returns this August with a five-day programme of over 30 events, taking place in the home of Scottish politics at Holyrood.
Our 20th Festival will take place between Monday 19 to Friday 23 August and will provide festivalgoers with informed debate and inspiring topics on a range of social, political, and environmental issues facing the world today.
This year we mark two significant milestones in Scotland’s political history, the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament and the 20th anniversary of the Holyrood building. With several events focusing on the future of the institution in Scotland.
Benedetta Tagliabue, architect, partner and widow of the visionary creative Enric Miralles, who designed the Scottish Parliament building will join the Presiding Officer in conversation on the opening day of the Festival.
This event will also feature excerpts from the opera ‘Mai per Atzar’ (Never by Chance) originally staged in 1997 for the opening of the Miralles Tagliabue EMBT studio in Barcelona, with lyrics by Valerio Ferrari and music by Roberto Cacciapaglia.
The excerpts from the original Opera, together with new music in honour of Enric Miralles, will be performed live by world leading composer and pianist Roberto Cacciapaglia in the Parliament’s Debating Chamber.
There will also be leading experts from the worlds of politics, the arts, business, the media, academia and the third sector who will join us for a deep dive into issues dominating the news agenda. Join in and have you say on everything from the impact of artificial intelligence to Scotland’s ambitions in the space sector, to young people and mental health.
The Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said: “Every year, the Festival of Politics aims to explore some of the big issues that feature in day-to-day politics, in the media and in wider civic Scotland.
“The Festival offers an opportunity to take up a seat in your Parliament, to hear from a range of experts, aiming to inspire debate and inform our thinking.
“This year as we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we present an exciting and varied programme of events, music and exhibitions.”
In association with the Edinburgh International Festival, the first day of the Festival will also feature the impressive outdoor opening celebration of Healing Arts Scotland featuring a Scottish Ballet community cast accompanied by 200 musicians including performers from Oi Musica, Samba Y Bamba, The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and the piping super group TRYST.
The specially curated dance piece will be performed to ‘Mackay’s Memoirs’ by the late Scottish Celtic fusion artist Martyn Bennett. Healing Arts Scotland is a country-wide week-long activation, celebrating and advocating for improved physical, mental and social health through the arts.
In addition, there is a lively free programme of music, choirs, dance and exhibitions in the Festival Café Bar.
Deacon Brodies Tavern, on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, officially reopened this Spring following an extensive 4-week refurbishment, giving the iconic pub an exciting new look. The pub has been given a facelift while keeping its traditional look and feel inside.
Deacon Brodies Tavern is renowned for that truly authentic Scottish pub experience. Built in 1806 on Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile, the pub is named after one of the city’s most famous sons, Deacon William Brodie – one of the inspirations behind Robert Louis Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde.
Guests can tuck into all the pub classics, Balmoral Chicken, Nicholson’s Fish and Chips and Haggis, Neeps & Tatties, as well as a delectable range of hand-crafted seasonal Pies to delight discerning guests.
Along with the new food menu, guests will also be greeted with an extensive drinks menu, boasting a wide selection of craft beers, ciders and new to the menu – cocktails.
Speaking about the refurbishment, Deacon Brodies Tavern General Manager, Taufiq Abdu, said: ‘’Deacon Brodie’s Tavern is an iconic Scottish pub, loved by guests from all over the world who visit us to experience our traditional Tavern atmosphere.
“The restoration works undertaken, including painstakingly restoring our original decorative wooden ceiling ensure that our guests can continue to enjoy a wee dram or two with us for years to come…’’
Following the extensive refurbishment and significant investment made at the pub, fifteen new jobs have been created for the local area, with the team now ready to pour pints and serve delicious food to guests.
For more information about Deacon Brodies Tavern please visit:
Channel 4’s ‘Come Dine With Me: The Professionals’ ventures to Edinburgh this week to experience some of the Scottish capital’s finest establishments. Italian restaurant Divino, part of the family-owned Vittoria group joined foraged food eatery Bijou Bistro and modern fine dining establishment Aurora to represent the capital in the hit show.
The long-awaited episode airs as the 11th instalment of series two, showcasing the camaraderie between Edinburgh’s dining establishments and the level of quality characteristic of the city’s food scene.
The episode airs following a year of great successes for Divino with triple wins at the Scottish Italian Awards, and recognition from Italy’s Ospitalita Italiana tourism certification for quality as ambassadors of Italian cuisine.
These accolades follow a full refurbishment of the restaurant with an improved food and drink offering that has drawn in esteemed guests and celebrities like Gerard Butler and Prince Albert of Monaco in the past year. Vittoria Group has also recently opened their newest venue, Brunswick Book Club, on Leith Walk offering a lively venue for all-day dining and local entertainment.
Divino’s ethos of serving authentic, modern Italian cuisine was reflected within the menu curated for ‘Come Dine With Me’, developed by Head Chef Andrea Calistro. Calistro justified his recent win of ‘Scotland’s Best Pasta Chef’ at the Scottish Italian Awards with a flavourful starter of spaghetti with king prawns and courgette, followed by a stand-out main course featuring beer-braised beef cheek and oyster mushrooms, and a Piccola Caprese Cake with orange and strawberries for dessert.
The menu from Bijou featured a starter of pan-fried scallops with black pudding ‘soil’ and, in direct competition with Divino, a similar beef cheeks main with polenta and seasonal vegetables before a lemon meringue pie for dessert. Aurora showcased vegan cuisine through a salad of heritage tomato and broad beans to begin, a cashew ricotta stuffed courgette flower main, and cherry tasting plate with red wine ice cream for dessert.
After each team had presented their feast in a tight competition, Bijou Bistro took home the win with 30 points, with Aurora and Divino following closely behind with 29 and 26 points respectively. Filmed in September 2022, Edinburgh’s dining scene has transformed since the show’s recording, with a blow to the city as Aurora shut its doors in 2023, and Bijou changing hands in the time since.
Co-owner Alberto Crolla said of the experience: “After keeping the secret for 18 months, we’re over the moon to see Divino and our friends in Edinburgh hospitality on the screen. It was such a joy to film alongside local restaurants in the dining scene and learn the techniques and ethos that make them special.
“It’s been quite an exciting time for Divino and the Vittoria Group, with a few new award wins, new openings, and exciting milestones under our belt since the time of filming – we’re looking forward to welcoming in the guests that liked what they saw on the show to experience our unique brand of Scottish-Italian hospitality.”
HRH Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, witnesses first-hand how Dance Base helps dance flourish and changes lives
HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, paid a visit to Dance Base, Scotland’s National Centre for Dance, on Saturday. The Edinburgh-based charity has a mission to encourage and support the potential for dance in everyone.
Jim Hollington, Dance Base CEO, said: “We were delighted to welcome His Royal Highness to Dance Base.
“In 2001 his brother, His Majesty King Charles, officially opened our brand-new centre on Edinburgh’s Grassmarket. We were delighted to show HRH some of what we have achieved over nearly a quarter of a century, helping dance to flourish and change lives.”
During his visit, the Duke of Edinburgh received a tour of the purpose-built building, a centre for creating, nurturing, and celebrating dance in the heart of Edinburgh.
Completed in 2001, the building hosts four unique studios, over 60 classes a week, broad reaching support for dance artists, performances, international exchanges, community projects and more – all delivered by a knowledgeable and passionate team. HRH visited children taking part in an Aerial Skills class, hosted by All or Nothing, and dancers in a West African dance class.
Duke of Edinburgh also enjoyed a series of curated performances featuring dancers aged from their teens to their eighties, offering a snippet of the important work the organisation has been doing across their public, professional and Health & Wellbeing programmes. These included:
Dance for Parkinson’s film – When We Dance
When We Dance is a collaboration between Dance Base’s Dance for Parkinson’s and filmmaker Lucas Chih-Peng Kao. The collaboration comprises of people living with Parkinson’s, their families, friends, carers, our volunteers, and a team of professional artists. Running since 2013, Dance for Parkinson’s is a core part of Dance Base’s Health and Wellbeing work and established a strong president of supporting people living with neurological conditions through dance. Dance Base has supported satellite groups to be established all over Scotland and continues to support the network.
24 Carat Gold – Freak Out
24 Carat Gold is a company offering opportunities to underrepresented elderly dancers with current members ranging in age from their 60s to 90s. They will perform Freak Out, choreographed by Alan Grieg.
Lothian Youth Dance Company – Kids Today
Lothian Youth Dance Company are Dance Base’s in-house dance company for young dancers aged 14 to 21 years old. Inviting new members each year, LYDC provides opportunity for young people to find their creative voice through dance. They will perform a piece titled Kids Today, choreographed by Dance Base’s Artistic Director Tony Mills.
Jo Richards – Barbieland
Jo Richards has been a professional dancer and dance teacher for over 23 years. She teaches Commercial Improvers, Commercial Jazz Beginners and Street Dance classes at Dance Base and represented the organisation at the 2010 Commonwealth Games Ceremony in India. She will perform her piece Barbieland alongside students from her dance classes.
The Dance Base team was proud to showcase their achievements and broad reach which includes:
50,000+ attendances at public classes
10,000 attendances at our August festival performances
50+ artist residencies where dance artists based in Scotland come to create new work
330+ live performances in August and throughout the year
60+ weekly classes in 12+ dance styles
They also talked about the upcoming events at the organisation, including Skills ‘N’ Billz, a Breakin’ battle on Sunday 26 May featuring Breakers from across the UK and beyond, invited for the daylong battle; Dance with Pride event to celebrate Edinburgh Pride and this term’s specialist workshops in Reggaeton, Ballroom and Contemporary techniques.
On 6 June, Dance Base announces the 25+ shows from Scotland and all over the world which will be presented this August as part of Dance Base 2024 Festival in association with Assembly Festival.
THE Palace of Holyroodhouse will be holding a special activity day for families on the May Bank Holiday Monday.
This special activity day will celebrate the unicorn, the national animal of Scotland, which can be spotted in objects and in artworks all over the Palace.
All these activities are included with a Palace ticket and take place from 10:00–15:00 on Monday, 6 May.
Activities:
Unicorn hats craft activity where children can discover the tale of the unicorn and craft their own unicorn inspired hat to wear as they explore the Palace.
A fun mini challenge using unicorn hobby horses and jousting.
A special Unicorn family trail which will challenge families visiting to spot all the unicorns on walls and ceilings in the Palace and around the grounds.
A sculpture of legendary Edinburgh fundraiser Tom Gilzean has been unveiled on the Royal Mile to pay tribute to his extraordinary life and continue his legacy.
Tom Gilzean was a decorated war veteran and charity stalwart who sadly died in November 2019 aged 99, having raised over £1million for good causes during his lifetime.
Now, Tom’s charity Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) and Central Taxis have teamed up to celebrate his memory with a dedicated statue, ‘Oor Tom’, displayed in his favourite city fundraising spot.
Tom became an iconic figure to both locals and tourists alike. Come rain or shine, he could be found on the Royal Mile or Princes Street, wearing his trademark tartan trews and shaking his collection cans to raise funds for the charity.
ECHC supports the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP). When asked why he fundraised 365 days a year in all weathers, Tom would simply say, “I just want to help the children.”
Fiona Brian, fundraiser at ECHC, said: “Tom was an exceptional and inspirational ambassador of ECHC and we are immensely proud and privileged to have been his chosen charity.
“It is wonderful to be able to bring his sculpture to the streets of Edinburgh so all those who knew and were inspired by him can remember him and ensure his legacy lives on.
“We are enormously grateful to Central Taxis, the Lord Provost and Belhaven School Pipes and Drums for helping to make the day so special.”
Oor Tom was created by local artist Chris Rutterford to honour Tom and the thousands of children and their families who have been cared for by Edinburgh’s children’s hospital. Central Taxis funded the sculpture to raise further funds for seriously ill children and donated it to the city for everyone to enjoy.
Murray Fleming from Central Taxis said: “We at Central Taxis are deeply honoured to have had the opportunity to collaborate with ECHC in commemorating the extraordinary contributions of Tom Gilzean.
“His selfless dedication to charitable causes is a testament to the spirit of community and giving that we hold dear.
“This sculpture is not just a monument; it is a call to action for all of us to continue Tom’s incredible legacy of helping those in need. We hope that his presence on the Royal Mile serves as a lasting inspiration to both residents and visitors alike.”
Oor Tom was originally on display on Princes Street as part of Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail – a nationwide art trail which raised money for Scotland’s children’s hospital charities, including ECHC.
Edinburgh Central Library, 7-9 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EG
A new exhibition displaying over 100 items on loan from public and private collections of world traditional dance books and artefacts, opened today as part of this year’s Pomegranates Festival in Edinburgh.
Portrait of dance artist Ella Moore wearing a Ukrainian headdress and scarf featured in the exhibition. Commissioned by the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland for the inaugural Pomegranates festival in April 2022 by floral artist Fiona Rose Gregory. Photo by Iliyana Nedkova
Dance Around the World will feature items from over 20 different countries including Scotland, Greece, Estonia, Poland, Bali and Japan. Highlights include a Ukrainian headdress commissioned by the festival in 2022 in tribute to the millions of displaced Ukrainians around the world (pictured above); an original Estonian dance dolly ‘rescued’ from a Finnish flea market and a full outfit worn at Scottish country dances since 1978 by a lifetime member of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.
This year’s festival commission is a Barbie doll clad in a tartan frock by festival’s fashion designer-in-residence Alison Harm of Edinburgh’s Psychomoda brand. (Alison Harm’s solo exhibition of sustainable tartan exploring the role of tartan in Scottish trad dance is at the Scottish Storytelling Centre 23-30 April.)
Barbie in Highland Dance Dress – Commissioned by the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland for Pomegranates Festival 2024. Outfit by Alison Harm of Psychomoda.
Alongside the numerous books on display selected from five private collections, as well as the catalogue of the Edinburgh City Libraries, visitors will revel in rare artefacts, including a pair of exquisite lacquer Geta shoes and an Obi bow and sash worn as part of the traditional wrap-around costumes for the Bon Odori summer dance festivals in Japan, and at the inaugural Pomegranates festival in Scotland.
Amongst the heirlooms in the exhibition is a silver brooch with a Viking ship motif which used to adorn the trad dance and song costume of the Estonian grandmother of the festival’s artist-in-residence Mare Tralla.
Mare, who co-curated Dance Around the World is a Scottish Estonian artist and activist currently working and living in Edinburgh. Her professional art career started in Tallinn in the early 1990s, where she became one of the leading interdisciplinary artists of the younger generation, conducting a feminist revolution in the field of contemporary art in Estonia.
Mare combines a variety of media in her work, from video, photography and painting to performance and interactivity. She also often utilises traditional crafts like knitting and weaving in her practice, including through her long-term craft projectNatty Peeps.
Artist-in-residence and co-curator Mare Tralla said: “I am so grateful for the opportunity to co-curate the Dance Around the World exhibition in collaboration with this year’s Pomegranates Festival and Edinburgh City Libraries and to offer hands-on craft workshops.
“I hope that any craft enthusiasts will join me to seek inspiration from the new exhibition to make our own costume jewellery and homeware while tracing the importance of tassels and pom-poms across the trad dance costumes from all corners of the world, including the sporran in the show”.
Edinburgh-based dance artist and art historian who is one of the major contributors to the exhibition Agnes Ness said: “I was so excited to go through my own library, photo albums and memorabilia and select a range of books, postcards and medals for the Dance Around the World exhibition.
“A wee testimony of my lifelong passion for art history and dance which dates back to my childhood spent in competitive Highland dance in the 1950s, leading to my current adventures as a teacher in Dance History at Dance Base, Scotland’s National Centre for dance where I am a founding member of the 24 Carat Gold Dance Group for those aged 60 and above.”
Iliyana Nedkova and Wendy Timmons, Pomegranates Festival Co-curators said: “Our collaboration with Edinburgh Libraries began in June 2023 when we brought live trad dance to the library, possibly for the first time, while celebrating the feisty women-tradition keepers and dance innovators as part of the 10th anniversary of the Harpies, Fechters and Quines Festival.
“We even recorded live in the George Washington Browne Room one of our Trad Dance Cast video podcast episodes with the legendary trad dance artist and costume designer Margaret Belford, 85.
“It was then when we pencilled and penned our love letter to the library – this very dance exhibition and all the related festival activities, including the craft workshops and walking tours.”
Dance Around the World
3rd to 30th April 2024, Open Mon-Wed 10am-8pm, Thu-Sat 10am-5pm, Closed Sun Central Library, 7-9 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EG
This exhibition is part of the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland and TRACS’s programme of events showcasing Scotland’s traditional arts and cultural heritage alongside international collections.On display are over 100 items on loan from public and private collections of world traditional dance books and artefacts.
Co-curator Mare Tralla‘s festival residency follows in the footsteps of the artists-in-residence in the Pomegranates festivals 2022 and 2023: Claudia Nocentini (Italy / Scotland) and Gabriel Schmitz (Germany/Spain). Likewise, Mare will create a new commission in her media of choice in response to the festival activities – a new screen dance that will be premiered at the festival finale.
10th, 17th and 30th April at 6pm Central Library, (George Washington Browne Room) George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EG Led by artist-in-residence Mare Tralla, these hands-on craft workshops, inspired by the new exhibition include crafting your own costume jewellery and homeware while exploring the role of tassels and pom-poms across trad dance costumes. All materials such as natural fibres and up-cycled fabric will be provided. Suitable for anyone aged 18+.
Admission Free
Walking Tour
27th April at 11am Meet at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR Led by storyteller Donald Smith this is a relaxed festival walking tour exploring the dance traditions of Edinburgh’s Old Town, including their locations and social contexts. An opportunity to learn about the local folk traditions, the Scottish Court and ‘polite’ society. The tour will start from the Scottish Storytelling Centre with a preview of the festival exhibition Vengefully Changed Allegiance by Alison Harm of Psychomoda. The tour will end at Edinburgh’s Central Library with a preview of the festival exhibition Dance Around the World featuring trad dance books and artefacts from Edinburgh and beyond.
Admission Pay What You Can
Pomegranates
Established in 2022, Pomegranates is Scotland’s springtime festival of Scottish and international traditional danceproduced by the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland and TRACS in partnership with Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh City Libraries, Dance Base and the Scottish Storytelling Centre. The festival celebrates Scottish traditional dance and traditional dance practised by cultural migrant communities across Scotland. It provides a platform to showcase new dance commissions and residencies accompanied by live music, poetry, and art; and invites audiences to participate in ceilidhs, workshops (both in person and live streamed), tours, and talks about traditional dance from Scotland and around the world.
The Scotch Whisky Experience on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile proudly raise a glass as they achieve two Green Tourism Awards in recognition of the steps they have taken as a business to put sustainability at the forefront of strategy.
The result of this approach; The Scotch Whisky Experience are the first whisky attraction in Scotland to receive both the Green Tourism and Green Meeting Gold Awards. This accreditation highlights The Scotch Whisky Experience’s ongoing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and to provide visitors with an immersive experience while striving to be as sustainable as possible.
Demonstrating the importance of sustainability for business growth, The Scotch Whisky Experience has also been awarded the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce High Growth Business of the Year Award 2024.
This accolade celebrates businesses demonstrating profitability, innovation, and growth. The Scotch Whisky Experience’s performance over the past twelve months, coupled with its £3.5 million investment in the visitor experience, demonstrates their unwavering commitment to sustainable business practices while telling the story of Scotland’s national drink.
According to a report by the Scotch Whisky Association, ‘the contribution of the Scotch whisky industry reached £7.1 bn in 2022 and is the second most productive sector in Scotland, just behind energy including renewables.’*
Susan Morrison, Chief Executive at The Scotch Whisky Experience, said: “We work hard to take positive actions across the whole business with a real focus on people, their experience and our environmental impact.
“We are very proud to have achieved GOLD status with Green Tourism while being recognised for substantial growth by Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.”
The Scotch Whisky Experience brings whisky to life, showcasing the heritage and craftsmanship behind the iconic spirit whilst actively continuing to put sustainability at the forefront of the business.
ELEGIES – Saturday 27 April, 7.30pm Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street
Hamish Henderson (1919-2002), was a soldier-poet and scholar-folk revivalist. Elegies is his first-hand account from the North African desert military campaign for which he won the Somerset Maugham Award.
His dedication of the book: “for our own and the others” sets the story within our own common bonds, fragility and humanity, in the setting of the ‘deadlands’ of Cyrenaica (modern-day Libya). The Elegies also reveal the shared helplessness of those loved ones at home waiting, praying – and dancing.
This production is led by a duo of dancers and choreographers Helen Gould and George Adams who together with dancers Nicola Thomson, Edwin Wen and Aimee Williamson embody and represent the characters from the ten elegies set both in the desert and the dance hall by using ceilidh, jive, swing and lindy hop – the popular social dance culture of the 1940s.
Through their movement directorship Gould and Adams weave into the dance, the reading of the Elegies for the Dead in Cyrenaica by spoken word artists Morag Anderson and Stephen Watt; and specially composed and newly arranged trad music and song by Cera Impala.
Wendy Timmons and Iliyana Nedkova,Elegies co-curators and producers from Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland said: “Elegies is a dance poem of serious reflection – a lament for all lives lost not only in WWII but in our world of conflicts, oppression and inequality.
“We were delighted by the positive reaction we received when it was first performed on Remembrance Day last year, and very proud of everyone who has worked with us on this revised adaptation as part of this year’s Pomegranates Festival.”
Elegies was originally commissioned for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2023, then extended and revised for Pomegranates Festival 2024.
Trad Dance Session
There will be a post-performance lindy hop social dance session, led and accompanied by Pomegranates 2024 resident musicians from the Castle Rock Jazz Band, in the main atrium at the Scottish Storytellling Centre. All welcome. Tickets are Pay What You Can £5, £10 or £15 and available through the Scottish Storytelling Centre Box Office here
