A NATIONWIDE programme of more than 60 events has been unveiled to celebrate Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.
Book festivals, musical journeys, favourite cartoon characters and fresh takes on our culture and heritage will recognise the wealth of stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland. Additional events will continue to be added throughout 2022.
The programme was launched along with a new promotional video featuring the voice of Game of Thrones star James Cosmo, who was born in Clydebank and is known for his roles in various Scottish films and TV shows.
The January-March events are: Glasgow’s Celtic Connections, Once Upon a Time in South Ayrshire, Spectra – Scotland’s Festival of Light – returning to Aberdeen.
Spring (March-April) events include: StAnza – Scotland’s international poetry festival and Stornoway’s An Lanntair presents Seanchas, a series of events, films and special commissions celebrating tales from the Hebrides both real and imagined, modern and ancient.
In the summer (May-September), Borders Book Festival returns to Melrose, The Wire Women project takes place as part of Perth and Kinross’ Year of Stories, Edinburgh International Film celebrates its 75th anniversary and The Dundee Summer (Bash) Street Festival will hail the city as the home of comics.
The Edinburgh International Book will also present Scotland’s Stories Now; Gaelic singer Anne Martin will lead An Tinne, which explores the connection between Scotland and Australia and Moray’s Findhorn Bay Festival will celebrate the area’s heritage.
The Wigtown Book Festival in Scotland’s National Book Town will present two new commissions, Into the Nicht, an immersive Dark Skies tour, and Walter in Wonderland, a theatrical tour through the history of the nation’s literature. The Northern Stories Festival led by Lyth Arts Centre in Caithness promises a celebration of the stories of the Far North.
In autumn and winter next year, Transgressive North will bring Map of Stories – “film ceilidh” events celebrating the most iconic voices from Scotland’s oral storytelling traditions; Stirling Castle plays host to Tales from the Castle, an after-hours event that opens the gates to extraordinary stories and Scotland’s Stories – Community Campfires, led by Scottish Book Trust will take place across the country, engaging with communities.
There are also a number of events that will take place across the year, with some touring the country: Edinburgh, Benmore, Logan and Dawyck Botanic Gardens will host Of Scotland’s Soils and Soul – celebrating stories inspired by Scotland’s rich plant life and The Scottish Storytelling Centre & Edinburgh Unesco City of Literature Trust present Figures of Speech
For 2022 the Themed Year will include a brand new events programme strand. The Community Stories Fund has been designed to support organisations and community groups to take part in and celebrate the year. The fund is being delivered in partnership between VisitScotland and Museums Galleries Scotland with support from National Lottery Heritage Fund. Around 100 events will be supported through the fund.
Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “Storytelling and celebrating our unique oral history tradition has never been more important as we continue to respond to the impacts of the pandemic.
Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland, said: “This exciting new events programme, offers an incredible platform to showcase the many sides of Scotland’s distinct, vibrant and diverse culture.”
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