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