Tag: Scottish International Storytelling Festival

Love is in the air at the Scottish Storytelling Centre!

Figures of Speech Season 2

3 Live Events | 3 Themes | 6 Writers | 3 New Artistic Commissions

 September ‒November at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh

Earlier this year, Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature and the Scottish Storytelling Centre joined forces to create a new series of events in celebration of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 and they’re back with Season Two launching on Friday 23 September.

Figures of Speech is a fresh and exciting cross-artform series that will bring together authors, artists, and high-profile experts to steer an exploration of Scotland as a modern literary nation. Bringing stories to life with lively discussions sparked by universal themes.

The first theme of the new season is Love and who better to be in the discussion seat than the queen of Rom Com fiction, author Jenny Colgan. Writer Pàdraig MacAoidh / Peter Mackay and Jenny will talk all things love in Scottish literature.

Sharing their own experiences of writing amorous words as well as showcasing some of the most enduring, inclusive, tragic and formidable examples of love on the page. This event is sure to warm audiences’ hearts as the cold nights draw in.  Multidisciplinary artist and deaf performer, Jamie Rea will support the event with a newly commissioned piece of work exploring queer love that will be presented in British Sign Language.

The next event in the season is on Friday 21 October as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival. Artist and writer, Amanda Thomson will be dropping a pin in the literary map with a discussion on place and locality with poet and film maker Roseanne Watt. This event will be supported by a newly commissioned storytelling performance by comedian and storyteller Marjolein Robertson.

The season concludes on St. Andrew’s Day with an exploration of the Big Ideas and pertinent questions in relation to issues such as climate change and Scotland’s place in our world at large. Writer David Farrier will host an evening of discussion with climate activist and author Jessica Gaitán Johannesson on Wednesday 30 November.

There is currently an open call for a creative commission in response to the final theme of the series which is Big Ideas. Artists from any background and working in any medium in Scotland are encouraged to apply.

Details can be found on the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s wbsite: www.scottishstorytellingcentre.com or via Creative Scotland opportunities.

Daniel Abercrombie, Programme & Events Manager at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, says: “Our second Figures of Speech season will build on the success of Season 1, bringing audiences and performers together to debate and discuss the stories and words which explore these themes in Scottish literature.

“This project is all about variety, partnerships, and a celebration of words, so we hope and imagine people will have their own thoughts and opinions on these themes, which is all part of the fun in this Year of Stories!’

Scottish Author Jenny Colgan, says: ‘Figures of Speech is a fantastic way of taking a fresh look at Scotland’s stories, and I’m looking forward to exploring the many ways Scotland has engaged with love and romance in literature over the years.

“Love is such a universal and wide-ranging theme so there will be plenty to discuss and I’m really looking forward to talking with Peter as part of Figures of Speech Season Two.’

Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 spotlights, celebrates and promote the wealth of stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland. Figures of Speech is supported by EventScotland as part of this celebration.

VisitScotland’s Regional Director for Edinburgh, Lothians & Forth Valley, Neil Christison says:  “We are delighted to be supporting Figures of Speech as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.

“From icons of literature to local tales, Scotland’s Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present.  

“This exciting collaboration between Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature and the Scottish Storytelling Centre gives audiences an opportunity to hear from authors direct and enjoy a journey through Scottish literature.”

The first season of Figures of Speech saw Nicola Meighan in discussion with author Arusa Qureshi on all things music in Scottish literature. The second event saw poet Michael Pedersen in conversation with author Val McDermid on friendship and the first season wrapped up with writers Russell Jones and T.L. Huchu discussing literature, sci-fi and imagined futures.

All previous shows were recorded and are now available to watch on demand via the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s website and the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s YouTube channel.

The second season will also be recorded and made available online and all live and recorded events will be supported by BSL interpretation. Each of the events will also be supported by a pop-up bookshop from Lighthouse Books. Their expert booksellers will be on hand to supply the must-read books to match every event.

Tickets and further information can be found at https://cityofliterature.com/figures-of-speech/ and www.scottishstorytellingcentre.com |

And you can follow the story online with #FoS

Story Valley: Cities of Literature meet in Edinburgh to forge new ideas for improving literacy skills

Edinburgh, UNESCO’s first City of Literature, last week played host to the first meeting of a unique European partnership group, The Story Valley initiative, to coincide with the Scottish International Storytelling Festival and the 250th anniversary of the birth of Sir Walter Scott.
 
The City of Edinburgh Council, together with Edinburgh College, welcomed Story Valley partners from three other European UNESCO Cities of Literature – Leeuwarden, in the Netherlands, Ljubljana, Slovenia’s Capital and Nottingham, UK – as the group came together to create new policy ideas.

This is part of its manifesto to use storytelling to improve literacy skills, while preserving and enriching cultural heritage through collaboration. 

As part of the visit, the programme has brought together the city’s literary sector and cultural partners – Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature, Scottish Poetry Library, Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF) and Scottish Storytelling Centre – and showcased the exciting work and projects taking place in Edinburgh.

During the three-day programme Story Valley partners visited Edinburgh College to see the project in action, share best practice and explore potential collaborations, visited the Scottish International Storytelling Festival and spoke to representatives from innovative projects happening across the city.

These included: Super Power Agency, a creative writing programme, using writing for confidence building amongst hard to reach 8-18 year olds in Edinburgh; the Creative Words for Well-being project by the Scottish Poetry Library; Street Reads Library, a safe space connecting homeless people with books; the Digital Storytelling project by the Scottish Book Trust; and EIBF’s Citizen Project. 

The programme was topped off by a light spectacular on Thursday (28 October) as the Granton Gasholder, recently brought to life in partnership with Edinburgh College, as part of the £1.3billion Granton Waterfront project, was lit up in Story Valley colours. 

The Story Valley initiative is funded by the ERASMUS+ Programme of the European Union.

The City of Edinburgh Council, Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Donald Wilson, said: “As the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature, we’re very proud to be hosting the Story Valley partner cities in Edinburgh for the first time, sharing ideas, inspiring one another and working together with the ultimate goal of improving literacy across Europe through the wonders of telling stories of our past.  

“Through this visit’s programme our Edinburgh partners have captured our Scottish culture and Edinburgh’s passion for its literary and cultural heritage while also showcasing our world-renowned Storytelling Festival. Everyone has gained a lot from this experience and I’m sure will be taking a lot away with them while planning the next gathering to progress the initiative.”

Ali Bowden from Edinburgh City of Literature, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with Edinburgh College, the Council and our sister Cities of Literature on Story Valley.

“Edinburgh has a strong storytelling tradition and it’s great that the students and organisations working on this project are finding new ways for storytelling to make a difference in people’s lives.”  

Edinburgh College Assistant Principal of Curriculum for Creative Industries, Jakki Jeffery, said: “We’re really excited to welcome our partners from Leeuwarden, Ljubljana and Nottingham to Edinburgh as part of the Story Valley project and are looking forward to showcasing the work of Edinburgh College’s Creative Industries faculty and sharing examples of good practice between the VET and further education institutions.

“Partners will have the opportunity to work on each of the Intellectual Outputs face-to-face for the first time and to meet some of our staff and students involved in the project to see first-hand what they have been working on.”

IN THE FLOW

Scottish International Storytelling Festival programme revealed

Set sail this autumn, as the Scottish International Storytelling Festival (SISF) takes audiences on a voyage, exploring Scotland’s coasts and water through music and storytelling.

The 2020 SISF programme promises an eclectic mix of online events spanning across the globe and small-scale face-to-face events, celebrating Scotland ‘a nation shaped by the sea’.

Events shine a light on lost stories of Scottish and international culture, give a new perspective on historical experiences and captivate, entertain and educate audiences on everything from Scottish colonial history to our connection to the natural world.

Over 100 performers will take part in the festival and countries represented include USA, Colombia, Canada, Italy, Spain, England, Kenya, Northern Ireland, Holland, Iran, Sierra Leone and Iceland. 93 events in total will take place in Edinburgh and across Scotland with 43 of these planned to be in-person experiences subject to Scottish Government Guidelines.

This year’s festival theme ‘In the Flow’ presents Voyage, a series of new work developed by storytellers and musicians for VisitScotland’s ‘Year of Coasts and Waters’, supported by the Scottish Government Festival Expo Fund.

Premiered as a pre-recorded studio broadcasts to be streamed online, Voyage is a collection of fourteen performances sharing tales of real and imaginary voyages that have connected Scotland to other coastal countries, near and far.

Highlights in the Voyage programme supported by the Edinburgh Festival Expo Fund and CalMac Ferries include:

  • Award winning performers Apphia Campbell and Mara Menzies collaborate for the first time on Nanny of the Maroons sharing the story of the Jamacian hero ‘Queen Nanny’ leader of the known as the Windward Maroons who helped those fleeing enslavement on Scottish owned plantations
  • Donald Smith’s reimaging of the iconic travelogue Johnson and Boswell’s Tour to the Hebrides featuring leading actors Andy Cannon and Christopher Craig.
  • One of Scotland’s best loved storytellers Andy Cannon steps over 700 years back in time as he sets out on a journey to bring the first ruling Queen of the Scots from Norway to Edinburgh Castle in Tales of a Grandson: The Maid of Norway
  • Award winning storyteller Fiona Herbert is joined by musician Emma Durkan as she draws the story of the mythical Cailleach from the depths of the world’s third largest whirlpool Corryvreckan in Argyll and Bute.
  • Music collaborations see David Francis & Hamish Napier celebrate the River Spey in Speyside to Fireside, and in Deiseal | Sunwise Mike Vass joins Ian Stephen for a journey to St Kilda,  and ancient instrument musician John Kenny collaborates with sister Marion on The Voyage of St Brendan.

Speaking at the Festival launch last week, Scottish International Storytelling Festival Director Donald Smith said: “Stories and songs are vital for human survival. They carry our emotions, memories and values.

“They bind us together as families, communities and a nation, especially through tough times. The Scottish International Storytelling Festival will continue to channel that flow with an increased focus on wellbeing in the year of Covid-19.”

Flowing alongside the Voyage series, the Festival will be celebrating Scotland’s own coastline and rivers, collaborating with The Orkney Storytelling Festival and The Wild Goose Festival in Dumfries and Galloway.

Socially distanced small-scale in-person events planned for the festival include:

Leaving Iona, a new show by Donald Smith and Heather Yule at St Columba’s by the Castle giving voice to the women, poets and monks of Columba’s / Colmcille’s story 1500 years after his birth.

Scuttlebut Stories! at Padlox Escape Rooms in Leith sees local storyteller Jan Bee Brown and musician Toby Hawks invite audiences to join them for some tall tales and spirited shanties, a heady blend of stories and songs of the sea that link Scotland and Scandinavia.

Small-scale indoor events will also take place at Universal Hall Findhorn, the Scottish Crannog Centre near Aberfeldy, Abbotsford House and other locations in the Borders. At the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, open mic Storytelling Cafés will also take place every day of the festival from 4pm.

Outdoor promenade performances will take place as Storytelling Walks departing from the Scottish Storytelling Centre and Enchanted Garden: Paths of Stories taking audiences on a journey around the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Sangs an’ Clatter: Campfire Tales at Damshot Woods in Pollock will return storytelling to one of its most traditional settings.

All plans are subject to Scottish Government guidance during the festival period.

The workshop programme strand Global Lab returns, hosting a series of digital workshops with live participation bringing together storytellers, artists, activists and educators from across the globe to explore sustainability, ecology and healing.

Taking place online daily throughout the festival the workshop programme offers inspiring examples of creative practice in the arts, education and frontline activism, with the opportunity to share, question and discuss.

Contributors include NYC-based Laura Simms who will speak on Deep Healing and Ecology, social and environmental activist Grian Cutanda who will share his work on the Earth Stories Collection and Julie Cajune and Douglas Mackay whose work explores connections between Native America and Scotland.

Edinburgh’s long running story night Guid Crack returns online throughout the festival and the Storytelling Festival’s famous Open Hearth sessions also move online, with live digital participation in a ceilidh of cultures, hosted by  some of the finest traditional storytellers from Scotland and around the world.

Running alongside SISF, the Community and Families Programme bookends the festival running between 12th October and 30th November. The programme will pair local storytellers with partner organisations in online and small-scale live settings, unlocking the ethos of ‘going local’.

Community groups and schools can take part in The Big Scottish Story Ripple (#StoryRipple) by holding a storytelling event led by a professional storyteller.

Groups can apply for a subsidy that will cover the cost of their storyteller’s fees.  In return, successful applicants must offer a good deed back to their local community on or before St Andrew’s Day – continuing the ripple of kindness.

As this year’s festival closes with a celebration of the Feast of Samhuinn, the 2020 Scottish International Storytelling Festival is on the hunt for Scotland’s Greatest Ghost Stories. The call is going out to find local ghost stories and to encourage people in Scotland to discover those in their own area. As part of the festival a ghoulish storytelling workshop will be held to encourage storytelling enthusiasts of all ages to become frighteningly good!

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Edinburgh storytellers explore Scotland’s Suffragette story with students as part of Scotland’s local storytelling campaign

As part of Scotland’s Local Storytelling Campaign and to mark this year’s centenary of the women’s right to vote and The Year of Young People, Edinburgh storytellers Lea Taylor and Nicola Wright have teamed with students from Woodmill High School, Dunfermline and will be looking closely at themes connected to their storytelling performance, ‘The Purple White and Green: The Story of Scottish Suffragettes’. Continue reading Edinburgh storytellers explore Scotland’s Suffragette story with students as part of Scotland’s local storytelling campaign

Open Word – Open World: Scottish International Storytelling Festival gets underway

SISF 17 Programme-page-0

Councillor Donald Wilson, Edinburgh’s Culture and Communities Convener, joined the opening reception of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival on Friday to welcome storytellers from across six continents to Edinburgh. Continue reading Open Word – Open World: Scottish International Storytelling Festival gets underway