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(Fri 3 May-Sat 15 Jun) FISHING is a modern exploration of contemporary identities and heritage. Artist Stephanïe Vandëm imaginatively combines oil painting and mixed media materials salvaged from the shoreline to creatively evoke the connections between the communities of the North East of Scotland and their fishing heritage. The artist draws from the rich traditions of Renaissance and Latin American art to create semi-sculptural pieces that deep dive into the pressing environmental & identity concerns of our time. The work repurposes the discarded fragments of our plastic-heavy society, merging them into intriguing jigsaw-puzzle images that evoke our possible shared futures. The calm and simplicity of the painted sections of the artwork contrast with the more complex three-dimensional mixed media elements which convey movement despite the heavy-layered look of the work. Weathered figures, chopped up lobster creels and everyday objects are ‘fossilized’ in cement, resin, sand and plastic, creating intriguing new structures that come away from the painted surface.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sun 5 May: 1:30pm & 3pm - SOLD OUT) This delightful Beltane Fire Society tradition allows parents to share in the magic of the Beltane story with their little ones through storytelling, face painting and arts & crafts. Two sessions are available across the afternoon, so come and enjoy!
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sun 5 May: 6pm) A mesmerising glimpse into the landscapes, folktales and songs that inspired one of Scotland's great early collectors of traditional arts. Marjory Kennedy-Fraser began collecting Hebridean songs in 1905, fired by a desire to preserve and celebrate the musical riches of the islands' people. These disarming films provide a snapshot of her work and the culture of the people she devoted her life to studying, all the while revealing the warmth of her personality and her passion for the rugged beauty of the Hebrides. Joining us on this journey to the Isles will be acclaimed storyteller and musician Marion Kenny and award-winning musician, singer and songwriter Mairi Campbell. Weaving together words, music and song alongside Kennedy-Fraser's enchanting films, Marion and Mairi will conjure the sounds and landscapes captured by this key figure of Scotland's Celtic Revival. ~~~~~ This project was originally commissioned by The Hippodrome Silent Film Festival, Scotland's only Festival of silent film with live music. The commission was supported by the Year of Stories 2022 Community Stories Fund, delivered in partnership between VisitScotland and Museums Galleries Scotland with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players. Screening material courtesy of National Library of Scotland Moving Image Archive. Part of the Folk Film Gathering 2024.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Mon 6 May: 2pm) Come awa in and get nice and cosy, sit yersel doon and Susi will tell ye a story!Jenny wis just aboot tae drink her juice when up popped a hungry moose! In this gentle story aboot sharing, a wee lassie is suddenly joined fer lunch by a moose, a craw and a hairy oobit who have all seen her yummy cheese and lettuce piece! Will she share it? Join Susi for stories in the cosy Storytelling Court to celebrate the launch of her new book Yum, illustrated by Charlotte Brayley and published by Foggie Toddle Books. It is an exciting introduction tae Scots Language for wee ones. Susi Briggs is a listed author, poet and storyteller. She co-hosts the original story and sang show Oor Wee Podcast wi Alan McClure. Susi is author of shortlisted Bairns’ Books o the Year Nip Nebs, Nip Nebs and the Last Berry and Wheesht. All her original stories and poems are in Scots because Susi wants the next generation to see that Scots language is as beautiful and valid as any other on this bonny birlin planet.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Tue 7 May: 2pm) Join friends from the Scots Music Group for an afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems and stories. Held in the relaxed setting of the Storytelling Court. All welcome to listen or bring a tune for a turn!
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Tue 7 May: 7:30pm) Myrddin seeks the sanctuary of an apple tree, where he befriends a wolf and a pig. The stories they tell each other unearth deep memories of an ancient sow goddess, a gallant quest and Myrddin’s own mysterious conception and early life. A thousand years later, a young single mum receives a visitation that will influence the course of her life, leading her to deepest Wales and to Hartfell in Dumfries, on a quest for the living myth of Myrddin and the primal power of the land. Welsh storyteller Milly Jackdaw presents a fusion of traditional storytelling, physical theatre, music and ceremony in this solo performance based on the life of Myrddin, inspiration for Merlin in Arthurian legend, and his encounters with magical animals. Explore the living myth, and its relevance to our current times through tales which restore a sense of meaning, wonder and hope. Trailer Funded by Arts Council Wales.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Wed 8 May: 1pm) “Tell me what ails and I’ll tell you a tale.” The Faery Doctor is in. Join magical storyteller Halo Quin for some pop-up storytelling with a medicinal twist! Drop-in to the Haggis Box Café and catch a tale or two. Halo Quin is an author, storyteller, singer-songwriter and magical creature based in Wales, visiting us especially for Edinburgh Tradfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Wed 8 May: 7:30pm) Emily Dickinson's enigmatic and brilliant poetry was largely unread and unpublished during her lifetime, but she is now considered one of America's greatest and most original poets. Singer/songwriter John Hinshelwood's sensitive musical interpretations based on a selection of her poetry, accompanied by words read from her letters, open a window on the life and work of this remarkable woman and the passions and preoccupations which she poured into her writing. John is joined by regular band members Tim Black (guitars, mandolin, vocals) and Ed McGlone (bass, Chapman Stick, vocals), and Emily’s words are read by Fiona Wellstood. The project has the endorsement of the Emily Dickinson International Society. ‘Emily Dickinson’s singular poetry receives considerate treatment from Scottish singer/songwriter John Hinshelwood, who sets her work to modern American accompaniments - bluegrass, old time, jazz - without obscuring the poems’ questioning wonder.’ (Scotsman) ‘A fine tribute to the work of one of America’s leading poets.’ (Americana UK)
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Thu 9 May: 7:30pm) Welcome to an eclectic night of ancient myth, contemporary storytelling, post-folk music, and physical artistry. Steeped in the traditions of Scottish storytelling, we evoke the warm atmosphere of peat-smoked hearthsides and ceilidh house revelry, presenting timeless motifs relevant to a discerning modern audience. Join host Dougie Mackay as he invites a different selection of Scotland’s finest storytellers, songwriters, musicians, and performing artists to each bi-monthly Hearth Fire Session to create an innovative showcase of Scotland’s contemporary culture. In May, Dougie is joined by whistle and wooden flute player, guitarist and singer-songwriter Sam Gillespie, storyteller and tradition bearer Jess Smith and basketweaver Katie Warner. Trailer
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 10 May: 8:30pm) Join us for a very special evening of music from two of Finland’s most visionary musicians. Pekko Käppi is Finland’s ‘wild man of the jouhikko’, a visionary Finnish folk music composer, singer and instrumentalist who has revolutionised the standards of playing the ancient Finnish lyre. LAU NAU (aka Laura Naukkarinen) is one of the foremost voices in Finland’s contemporary music scene. Frequently working with film, her music has a cinematic breadth of vision, and her idiosyncratic, finely honed sound world builds on fragile, spectral otherness. Naukkarinen and Kappi come together for one night only, to celebrate their recent collaboration on Katja Gauriloff’s new film, JE’VIDA, screening at Edinburgh Cameo as part of the Folk Film Gathering 2024 .
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 11 May: 11am) For musicians who want to be better storytellers on stage! Learn how to improve your patter and song introductions with some basic rules of storytelling. An interactive and fun session led by experienced storyteller Svend-Erik Engh, where you will learn how to stay grounded, be aware of your audience and try different introductions to songs and music, with honest and useful feedback. Presented by the Traditional Music Forum. Svend-Erik Engh is a Danish storyteller living in Edinburgh. He tells Viking stories, Norse myths, and Scandinavian folktales and legends. Born and raised in Denmark to a Norwegian mother, these stories are in his blood and bones. Svend-Erik has a passion for all good stories and has collected many on his world travels over the years. When he is not having fun telling or writing stories, he is coaching storytellers and leading seminars and masterclasses to help people become better storytellers.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Sat 11 May: 2pm) Join mad auld Auntie Bee and her long-suffering niece Bonnie McRee on a tour of Auld Reekie, past and present, real and imagined. Without leaving the cosy Storytelling Court, their mad-cap journey takes in a trip round Arthur’s Seat, an encounter with Scotland’s national animal, the unicorn, a dive into the sanitary arrangements of Edinburgh tenements before the days of plumbing and an adventure with Scruffy Bob, great-great-great-great-great grandpa of Greyfriars Bobby. A Jaunt Roond Auld Reekie is performed in Scots and English, and its stories are told through music, comedy and puppetry by one of Edinburgh’s best community theatre companies. Formed in 2010, Ceilidh Crew ‘n Co works with people of all ages and backgrounds, drawing on the musical, acting and storytelling skills of its two performers, Corinne (Auntie Bee) and Alyssa (Bonnie). Script and original songs by Corinne Harris and puppets by Ali McCaw. A Jaunt Roond Auld Reekie is supported by a generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. We thank players of the National Lottery for their support.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sat 11 May: 7:30pm) Sometimes fathers are silent and children grow up without stories. How can the children of these fathers release their trapped lips? We humans have the right to know our ancestors’ stories. By reimagining old tales from Lithuania and around the world, storyteller Daiva Ivanauskaitė and musician Gaynor Barradell explore the silence between generations. Let them take you to the deep dark woods and meet the old man with the wire beard, always hungry for unheard stories. Directed by Lauren Bianchi. Supported by The Village Storytelling Centre. ~~~~~~~~~~ Originally commissioned for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2023. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, creatives within and beyond the storytelling community celebrated and explored aspects of our common humanity in the Right To Be Human series.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 12 May: 1pm) Come with family and friends to dance Scottish dances and sing well-known songs with the the Matthew Maclennan Ceilidh Band, with calling and stories by Alison Reeves. All dances will be called and there'll be easy-to-follow circles for wee ones. A fun introduction to sociable dancing with live music. ~~~~~~~~~~~ This event is part of Easy Sundays, a monthly session of stories, music, community and friendship, where a warm welcome awaits with a variety of activities for all the family to enjoy. So come find a space to relax amongst friends, old and new. ~~~~~~~~~~ Supported by the Thrive Network alongside the Scottish Storytelling Centre to create a warm and welcoming space for the community.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sun 12 May: 3:30pm) Berwickshire Coastal Arts bring you a reflection of what it means to live, and want to live, in a coastal community. Drawing on the cultural and historical heritage of an east coast fishing toon and inspired by interviews, photographs and video pieces recorded by local people, this performance shares experiences of living in Eyemouth and surrounding towns and villages before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic served to remind this community of its own resilience. Although isolated by the virus, they stayed connected through stories and conversations which were captured in a beautiful and evocative film The First Wave by Kate Sweeney and Roma Yagnik. The film is accompanied by further stories, songs and reminiscences. This will be the final performance of the six-year ‘People and the Sea’ project. Part of this journey involved a production of Get up and Tie Your Fingers at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, which was the first time the community had performed outwith Eyemouth. We are delighted to welcome the community back to SSC for this, their farewell and fare weel.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 17 May: 7:30pm) Don’t miss the next fantastic show from Scotland’s best spoken word night! From the laugh-out-loud funny, through the wonderfully surreal, to the thoughtful and emotional: Loud Poets continues to prove that spoken word offers something for everyone. “Loud Poets is tearing up the landscape, bringing the ancient art to contemporary audiences – spreading mirth, giggles and talent along the way.” - Corr Blimey “Go listen to Loud Poets and hear them say the things you’ve been trying to say yourself.” - Shane Koyczan “There’s a humour, poignancy and most of all confidence which serves to inspire.” - Scotsman This showcase was made possible by funding from Creative Scotland and the National Lottery.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 18 May & Sat 1 Jun: 1:30pm) Do you have a desire to facilitate long-term meaningful storytelling projects? Do you want to explore in greater depth the fundamentals of working with groups of all ages and abilities? In this 2-day training you’ll take a deep dive into the tools and techniques of facilitation, from group dynamics to safeguarding, from structure to pacing, from planning to delivery. Storyteller Dan Serridge and The Village Storytelling Centre will support you to think more deeply about the complex nature of storytelling projects, their ethical implications and what it takes to support groups to engage, connect and be inspired. Dan Serridge is a storyteller, community artist and facilitator who creates vibrant and exciting community projects for all ages and abilities. He tells stories and helps people to tell theirs, supporting everyone to see their experiences as pieces of artwork waiting to be told. Through a combination of the personal and folkloric Dan explores the power of metaphor and meaning that sharing stories can hold. The Village Storytelling Centre improves lives and empowers communities by bringing people together, inspiring them to find, shape and share their voice and to realise their potential through the power of Storytelling. All of their work supports positive social interaction, the development of friendships and support networks for the most disadvantaged or marginalised communities. ~~~~~~~~~~ Pay it Forward If you are willing and able to donate a workshop place to another person, you now can! Click the button above and select the ticket price to donate. We will then be able to offer a free place to someone who would not have been able to attend otherwise. If you feel the Pay It Forward scheme would benefit you and would like to request a free ticket please email our Reception Team where you will be allocated a ticket if available. We hold 1 space per workshop for Pay It Forward requests.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Tue 21 May: 7pm) Edinburgh's Scottish Polish Cultural Association, with support from the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland and Kraków City Council, presents an evening showcasing the artistic output of Scotland, Poland and Ukraine. Enjoy Scottish and Polish songs and poems, including those of our national bard Robert Burns, and the music of Ukraine. We will also be joined by singer and songwriter Tamara Kalinowska, who has entertained audiences with her own and others' songs at Kraków's famous Piwnica Pod Baranami cabaret club for over forty years.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Wed 22 May: 7:30pm) The yellow is on the broom and a spring is in full flow, so join us for a celebration of Traveller tales and stories of journey as we head towards summer time. A lovely evening of live storytelling in the relaxed setting of the Netherbow Theatre, where our amazing apprentice storytellers will show off their skills and explore this quarter's theme. Hosted by Janis Mackay, with a host of new storytelling voices, including Emilie Barr (Seelie Wight Stories), Mary Baxter, Fiona Ferguson, Jack Forester, Ryan Martin, Lababa Naqvi, Jen Newall, Katie Proven and David G Pullar!
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 24 May: 12:30pm) The checkpoint is closed. “Detour, detour!” shouts a taxi driver, announcing the beginning of yet another uncertain search for a way around the barriers curtailing Palestinian movement in the West Bank. Infiltrators (PG) is a visceral “road movie” that chronicles the daily travails of Palestinians of all backgrounds as they seek routes through, under, around, and over a bewildering matrix of barriers. Following this high stakes “game” of cat and mouse with a handheld video camera, Khaled Jarrarʼs debut documentary was the standout success at the 2012 Dubai International Film Festival, winning the Muhr Arab Documentary Prize, the Special Jury Prize, and the International Critics Prize. The screening will be followed by a virtual Q&A with the director. Genre: Documentary, Action | Year of Release: 2012 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English ~~~~~ Khaled Jarrar, born in Jenin, completed his studies in Interior design at the Palestine Polytechnic University in 1996 and entered the field of photography in 2004. In 2011 he graduated as visual artist from the International Academy of Art, Palestine. His first exhibition took place in public space at the checkpoints of Howarra and Qalandya. Jarrar started making films and videos in 2008, among them Journey. He has taken part in international art events including Art Basel 41, Instant video, London Film Festival, the International Contemporary Art Fair “FIAC” in Paris and Berlin Biennale 7. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 24 May: 3:30pm) A collection of short films exploring themes and experiences of time and space. All films are subtitled in English. ~~~~~ Silent Protest المظاهرة الصامتة (PG) by Mahasen Nasser-EldinOn 26 October 1929, Palestinian women launched their women’s movement in Jerusalem. Approximately 300 women converged into the city from all over Palestine. They held a silent demonstration through a car convoy across the city in protest at the British High Commissioner’s bias against Arabs in the Buraq uprising. This is their story on that day. Genre: Documentary, Historical, Archives | Year of Release: 2019 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English Nation Estate (12A) by Larissa SansourIn this sci-fi short, one colossal high-rise houses the entire Palestinian population – now finally living the high life. With a glossy mixture of computer-generated imagery, live actors and an arabesque electronic soundtrack, Nation Estate explores a vertical solution to Palestinian statehood where each city has its own floor and intercity trips previously marred by checkpoints are now made by elevator. Genre: Short, Science-Fiction, Dystopian | Year of Release: 2013 | Original Languages: Arabic, English | Subtitles: English Canada Park حديقة كندا (12A) by Razan AlSalahI walk on snow to fall unto the desert. I find myself on unceded indigenous territory in so called Canada, an exile unable to return to Palestine. I trespass the colonial border as a digital spectre floating through Ayalon-Canada Park, transplanted over three Palestinian villages razed by the Israeli Occupation Forces in 1967. Canada Park is an experimental video poem exploring the politics of dis/appearance of Palestine as narrativized, mapped and imaged in Google Streetview and early 20th century colonial landscape photography of the ‘Holy Land’. Genre: Short, Experimental, Poem | Year of Release: 2020 | Original Languages: Arabic, English | Subtitles: English ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 24 May: 6pm) 3000 Nights (12A) tells the story of a young Palestinian school teacher who gives birth to her son in an Israeli prison, where she fights to survive, protect her son and maintain hope. Genre: Drama, Documentary, Crime Fiction | Year of Release: 2015 | Original Languages: Arabic, Hebrew, English | Subtitles: English The main feature will be preceded by short film Freedom is Mine by Mahmoud Salameh. ~~~~~ Mai Masri is a Palestinian filmmaker who studied at San Francisco State University, USA. Her films have been screened worldwide and won over 90 awards. Recognized for her work that focuses on women and children in a humanistic and poetic approach, her feature film, 3000 Nights (2015) had its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival and won 28 awards. Mai worked closely with her late husband, filmmaker Jean Chamoun, and earned international acclaim for films including Children of Fire, Woman for Her Time, Children of Shatila, Frontiers of Dreams and Fears, Beirut Diaries and Wildflowers. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 24 May: 9pm) The growing struggle for Palestinian self-determination between 1960 and 1980 was supported by radical left-wing movements worldwide, also in Japan. This is illustrated by R21 AKA Restoring Solidarity (12A), a collection of 16mm films by militant filmmakers from various countries, which were dubbed and screened in Japan. Their Japanese audiences felt oppressed by the US after World War II, and not only sympathised but also identified with the Palestinians. The screening will be followed by a virtual Q&A with the director. Genre: Documentary, Experimental, Historical, Archives | Year of Release: 2022 | Original Languages: Japanese, Arabic, English | Subtitles: English ~~~~~ Mohanad Yaqubi is a filmmaker, producer, and one of the founders of the Ramallah-based production outfit Idioms Film, as well as of the research and curatorial collective Subversive Films which focuses on militant film practices. He is a resident researcher at KASK- School of the Arts in Gent, Belgium where he researches archival structures within transnational solidarity movements, while considering politics, aesthetics and cinema, at the same time, re-thinking imperfect archives as a mechanism to bridge living memories. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 25 May: 11am) A collection of short films exploring the theme of children and childhood under occupation. The films will be followed by a virtual Q&A with director Farah Nabulsi. ~~~~~ Maradona’s Legs إجرين مارادونا (U) by Firas KhouryDuring the 1990 World Cup, two young Palestinian boys are looking for “Maradona’s legs”; the last missing sticker that they need in order to complete their world cup album and win a free Atari. Genre: Comedy, Sports, Short | Year of Release: 2019 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English Ayny عيني (12A) by Ahmad SalehTwo young boys run away from their mother’s protection and slack line on the danger of war to play music with the instrument they always dreamt to have. Genre: Stop-motion Animation, Short | Year of Release: 2016 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English The Present الهدية (PG) by Farah NabulsiOn his wedding anniversary, Yusef and his young daughter set out in the West Bank to buy his wife a gift. Between soldiers, segregated roads and checkpoints, how easy is it to go shopping? Genre: Drama, Narrative, Short | Year of Release: 2020 | Original Languages: Arabic, English | Subtitles: English Zoo حديقة الحیوان (12A) by Tariq RimawiWandering through the Worst Zoo in the World, Sami is looking for his football. The lone boy finds more than that when he encounters the little tiger Laziz, who follows him on his quest to find a safe place to play. Genre: Drama, Animation, Short | Year of Release: 2022 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English Hide & Seek غُميضة by Rami AbbasAn animated short film narrating the story of a child and his fish on their journey into the unknown, following the raid on the child’s town during the ongoing war ravaging his country. The short film captures the steps of this journey and its transformations. Genre: Animation, Drama | Year of Release: 2024 | Original Language: Silent Uncle… Give Me A Cigarette عمي اعطيني سيجارة (PG) by Union of Palestinian Women's Committees and interns from Birzeit UniversityAwaiting a prison transfer, Walid receives a strange request in a mysterious whisper… Collaborating with a team of girls from the Union of Palestinian Women's Committees and interns from Birzeit University, the group transformed Walid Dakka's narrative into a short stop-motion film using wire armatures and paper mache. Genre: Drama, Stop-motion Animation, Short | Year of Release: 2023 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 25 May: 1:30pm) A pair of documentary films on Gaza and Gazan experiences, followed by a Q&A with Ahmed Alnaouq, a Palestinian journalist from Gaza and the co-founder of We Are Not Numbers, a collective which trains the next generation of Palestinian writers to publish their stories in English. ~~~~~ Between Two Crossings بين معبرين (PG) by Yassir Murtaja and Rushdi Al-SarrajA documentary film following the journey of Nour, a Palestinian student from Gaza with a scholarship to enrol in Portland State University in the United States. In order to get there, Nour struggles to find a way to travel through the only two gates separating the Gaza Strip from the rest of the world: Erez Checkpoint, controlled by Israel; and Rafah Crossing, controlled by Egypt. Director Yassir Murtaja was a Palestinian journalist and filmmaker from Gaza. He was shot and killed by an Israeli sniper while covering the Great March of Return on April 6, 2018. Many people around the world witnessed Yassir’s wish before he died through his Facebook status: that one day he wanted to be able to see Gaza and the world from the window of an aeroplane. Co-director Rushdi Al-Sarraj was Yassir's best friend and creative partner. He was killed in Gaza on October 22, 2023, by a targeted bomb from an Israeli warplane dropped on his house. We share this film in honour of their memory. Genre: Documentary | Year of Release: 2018 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English Gaza, Footbullet غزة رصاصه بالقدم (U) by Iyad AlasttalA team of amputee Palestinian footballers prepare to meet their French counterparts as part of a series of sporting, cultural and solidarity meetings. Genre: Documentary, Sports | Year of Release: 2021| Original Languages: Arabic, French | Subtitles: English ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 25 May: 4:30pm) How does occupation and siege affect art and individual artists? Is it possible to look at art from occupied areas without considering the restrictions on freedom and other rights? What role has art in the Palestinian resistance? In this conversation, Palestinian artist Malak Mattar will sit down to share her experiences and discuss the role of art as activism, cultural resistance, assertions of identity, and ongoing shifts in Palestinian narratives, while sharing her journey as an artist in the besieged Gaza. The conversation will be moderated by Bayan Haddad. ~~~~~ Malak Mattar was born in 1999 in the Gaza Strip and grew up under occupation and the military siege. From a family of talented cultural practitioners, Mattar started making art as a teenager during a period of open conflict (Operation Protective Edge, 2014), She has a Masters of Fine Art from Central Saint Martin’s, London, in 2023. Soon after arriving in the UK, Mattar’s entire world was turned upside down, causing her work to undergo a dramatic shift in style, subject matter and palette. While artist-in-residence at An Effort in Central London (December 2023–February 2024), she documented the genocide in her homeland through a series of mostly monochrome drawings and paintings. She later combined these scenes into a monumental greyscale painting called No Words. “It needs to be completely horrific,” she stated while making the work, “otherwise it will not accurately reflect the genocide.” Mattar has come to Edinburgh for her debut Scottish exhibition Screams. Her works will be exhibited at Embassy Gallery from 23-27 May and the In Vitro Gallery at Summerhall from 7-28 June. Bayan Haddad is a Palestinian scholar and an instructor of English literature at Birzeit University. She is the George Antonius Birzeit Visiting Fellow for 2024 and she researches fiction from Palestine and Northern Ireland in light of trauma studies. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 25 May: 6:30pm) Elderly Palestinians are caught between their right to forage their own land and the harsh restrictions imposed by their occupiers on the basis of preservation. Shot in the Golan Heights, the Galilee and Jerusalem, Foragers employs fiction, documentary and archival footage to portray the impact of Israeli "nature protection" laws on these customs. The restrictions prohibit the collection of the artichoke-like ’akkoub and za’atar (thyme), and have resulted in fines and trials for hundreds caught collecting these native plants. Following the plants from the wild to the kitchen, from the chases between the foragers and the nature patrol to courtroom defences, Foragers (PG) captures the joy and knowledge embodied in these traditions alongside their resilience to the prohibitive law and raises questions around the politics of extinction - who determines what is made extinct and what gets to live on. Genre: Documentary | Year of Release: 2022 | Original Languages: Arabic, Hebrew | Subtitles: English ~~~~~ Jumana Manna was born in Princeton, USA and currently lives in Berlin, Germany. She is a Palestinian artist whose work shifts between sculpture and film, body and land, narrative and form. Her practice explores how power is articulated through relationships, often focusing on the body and materiality in relation to narratives of nationalism and histories of place. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 25 May: 8:30pm) Enjoy dinner and live storytelling featuring Glasgow-based Palestinian chefs Hiba and her daughter Dana of Hiba’s Palestinian Kitchen, as well as Edinburgh-based Palestinian author and cook Diline Abushaban. Share delicious dishes that embody the richness and diversity of Palestinian cuisine, and listen to stories told by Hiba, Dana, and Diline on the symbolism and history behind these ingredients. ~~~~~ Hiba’s Palestinian Kitchen is founded by a mother & daughter wanting to spread Palestinian cuisine and heritage across Scotland. Their mission is to resist by keeping their dishes alive. Diline Abushaban is an author and speaker, originally from Gaza, living in Scotland for 17 years. Diline is passionate about healing and inspiring people to live mindfully and heal their lives. Since the start of the ongoing genocide, Diline has been speaking, writing and sharing stories to challenge the dehumanisation of the Palestinian people and grieve the deep losses they are experiencing. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sun 26 May: 11am-4pm) This space will be open for families and children to come spend some time and engage in activities around Palestine. Join in with craft activities, colouring books, storytelling, henna, reading materials for all ages, and children's books in Arabic! Drop-in any time from 11am to 4pm. If you wish to attend any of scheduled activities below, arrive at least 15 minutes before the start time to sign up. Spots are limited due to space constraints. Scheduled Activities 11:30am-12pm: Rajiv's Starry Feelings with Niall MoorjaniJoin Niall for a reading of their new book. Aimed at ages 2-6 years. 12pm-12:30pm: Storytelling for 6+ with Niall MoorjaniNiall will tell adventurous stories about standing tall in the face of adversity. Aimed at ages 6-9 years. Niall Moorjani is a writer and storyteller who has performed all over the world. Their work is inspired by history, identity, myth and folklore. 1pm-2pm: Arts & Crafts Workshop: What Does Palestine Mean to Me?This collage and colouring workshop for children and parents alike will be led by Mourad Diouri. Mourad is the founder of the Edinburgh Arab Festival and teaching fellow at the University of Edinburgh. Mourad is also the founder of Mosaic Tree Press, a publishing company whose books will feature at the festival and guide this workshop. 2pm-3pm: Introduction to TatreezJoin Riwaa Joma to learn the basics of Palestinian embroidery, tatreez. Tatreez is a form of Palestinian embroidery typically sewn on garments which employs a range of symbols including birds, trees and flowers. Historically, tatreez was practised in the rural areas and each village or region had their unique patterns. Tatreez is an artful practice of resistance whose power has resisted war, destruction, and expulsion. Today, the art is common practice across the diaspora, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. The workshop aims to introduce you to the basics of tatreez, all materials will be provided. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sun 26 May: 11am) This diverse array of films were all submitted to the Festival by emerging Palestinian filmmakers. From the resolve to resist house demolitions, to the courageous risking of personal safety to document the realities of occupation, each story encapsulates a unique facet of sacrifice. Others delve into the everyday struggles of acquiring basic necessities, the grief of martyrdom, and the internal battles of self-acceptance. These films serve as powerful testimonies to the steadfast resilience and humanity of the Palestinian experience, shedding light on the multifaceted dimensions of sacrifice that define that reality. Through their artistry, these emerging filmmakers offer profound insights into the shared struggles and enduring spirit of a people determined to assert their dignity and rights in the face of injustice. All films are subtitled in English. ~~~~~ Eitr عطر by Fateema Al-Hamaydeh MillerGrinding away at the family business, Mohamed works tirelessly selling knock-off perfume, while living as a knock-off version of his true self. Eitr explores queerness in the context of Arab culture and family structure, leading into secret worlds that we build for ourselves and how we share them with others. Genre: Romantic Dramedy | Year of Release: 2023 | Languages: English, Arabic Shattered Memory ذاكرة مهشمة by Hayat LabbanThe documentary honours the memory of photojournalist Mahfouz Abu Turk and explores the archive through which he documented the events he experienced in the city of Jerusalem and the West Bank from the first intifada in 1987 until the end of the 1990s. Genre: Documentary, Archive | Year of Release: 2023 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English Zawaya زوايا by Mira HajhassanSiham and her goldfish, Tooteh, find themselves trapped in a half-empty house by an oppressive system that lives inside their walls and will soon begin demolishing them. As danger approaches, Siham uses her imagination to process her pain and resist the oppression. Genre: Drama, Dystopian | Year of Release: 2023 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English For You لأجلك by Mahmoud Hamdan The film revolves around the friends of the martyr, paramedic and dancer Sajed Mizher, exploring their psychological state and emotions following his martyrdom. The film presents, in an experimental visual style, scenes from before, during, and after his martyrdom. Genre: Experimental Documentary | Year of Release: 2022 | Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English Does Not Exist ما في by Rami AhmadYousef and his grandfather Saeed are Palestinian-Syrian refugees who fled from the Syrian war in Yarmouk to live in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, where Youssef struggles to keep his grandfather alive. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 26 May: 2pm) Muna and her teenage son leave the West Bank, dreaming of an exciting future in the promised land of small-town Illinois, USA. But starting a new life proves harder than they could have imagined. Told with heartfelt humour by Palestinian American writer-director Cherien Dabis in her feature film debut, Amreeka (12A) explores family experiences of immigration and the first-generation teenagers caught between their heritage and their new world. Genre: Comedy, Drama | Year of Release: 2009 | Original Languages: Arabic, English, French | Subtitles: English ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 26 May: 6pm) The story of a city that once connected Palestine to the world, Lyd (15) explores what it once was, what it is now, and what it could have become. The screening will be followed by a virtual Q&A with the director(s). Genre: Documentary, Science Fiction | Year of Release: 2023 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English ~~~~~ Rami Younis is a Palestinian filmmaker, writer and journalist from Lyd. Younis currently hosts a daily news show called On the Other Hand on Israel's national broadcasting corporation's Arabic channel which counters misinformation about Palestinian residents of 48 - those who live in areas annexed by Israel in 1948. He is also co-founder and manager of the first ever “Palestine Music Expo” – an event that connects the local Palestinian music scene to the worldwide industry. Sarah Friedland is a filmmaker and artist rooted in creative nonfiction. She is also an educator and the Director of the John B. Moore Documentary Collaborative at Skidmore College. Sarah was named one of the “Top 10 Independent Filmmakers to Watch” by the Independent Magazine. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 26 May: 9pm) Gazelleband present the music of Palestine and beyond through the medium of traditional string instruments, the oud and buzuq. Led by Gazan oud player Reem Anbar and Irish-Mancunian music researcher Louis Brehony, the group perform internationally at concerts halls, festivals, universities and solidarity gatherings. The only Scotland date in their worldwide tour, this Gazelleband performance features a new set of improvised and traditional tunes, blended with Palestinian storytelling. The musical performance will be preceded by a reading by Bayan Haddad. What does it mean to write in times of emergency? Writers from Gaza are living, witnessing and documenting the genocide as it unfolds. How can we amplify their voices? What is the role of the reader? Hear a reading of voices from Gaza and discussion of meaningful interventions to actualise their messages. ~~~~~ Reem Anbar was raised in Gaza. She rose to prominence in the early 2000s with an affinity for tarab - the ecstatic traditions of Arab regional music - and the Palestinian heritage of song. Reem absorbed the lessons of older generations of oud players and forged her own path as a self-taught player. By the time she left Palestine in 2017, Reem was appearing regularly on Palestinian and Arabic TV, at concerts, and working as a music therapist and teacher in Gaza’s refugee camps. She has since gone on to become an international performer. Louis Brehony is a musician, activist, researcher and educator. He is author of the book Palestinian Music in Exile: Voices of Resistance (2023), editor of Ghassan Kanafani: Selected Political Writings (2024), and director of the award-winning film Kofia: A Revolution Through Music (2021). He writes regularly on Palestine and political culture and performs internationally as a buzuq player and guitarist. Bayan Haddad is a Palestinian scholar and an instructor of English literature at Birzeit University. She is the George Antonius Birzeit Visiting Fellow for 2024 and researches fiction from Palestine and Northern Ireland in light of trauma studies. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Tue 28 - Thu 30 May) Based on a true story, The Yellow Canary is a leap into the imagination of a young boy as he attempts to escape the horrors of war, exploring love, loss, and what it means to flee your home. Performance-maker Tashi Gore uncovers the real-life journey her uncle Bernard took as a young Jewish boy, forced to leave his home city of Paris with just his parents and his pet canary for company. Combining live storytelling, testimony, and digital animation, The Yellow Canary brings together visual theatre expert Ross MacKay, playwright Will Gore, and director Jess Thorpe in a compelling and timely performance. Book Tickets ~~~~~~~~~~ The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival is back for 2024, featuring 14 productions from 9 countries for children to discover. This year’s Festival opens with Family Encounters on Saturday 25 May, a day of free pop-up performances and interactive activities at the National Museum of Scotland. The Festival then runs until Sunday 2 June, with a jam-packed programme of circus, dance, storytelling and theatre for young people and their families. Featuring a Spotlight on Catalonia and two brand new works by Scottish companies, this year’s Festival once again pushes boundaries, exploring the highs and lows of the human condition, while always considering the perspective and viewpoint of the child. From intimate sensory works for babies, to circus shows and promenade performances, from exploration of our consumerist behaviour to racial discrimination, there truly is something for everyone. More Info
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 31 May: 6pm) Tha Bothan 21 bliadhna a dh'aois! Cha ghabh e creidsinn! As dhèidh seisean ciùil againn san fheasgar, bidh sgeulachdan againn bhon rannsaiche Uibhisteach Curstaidh Dhòmhnallach, agus bidh cèilidh thraidiseanta againn, le dannsa traidiseanta, bho chòmhlan òg Gàidhlig West Loch Ceilidh Band. Edinburgh’s Gaelic Language Music and Culture Club, Bothan Dhùn Èideann, is celebrating its 21st Anniversary. Please come along for an excellent evening of stories, songs, music and dance with music by the West Loch Ceilidh Band. The event is in Gaelic.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Fri 31 May: 7:30pm) Some stories can make you weep, provoke fits of pique or leave you pondering the mysteries of the universe... But these are not those! Join Franziska Droll for jests, jokes and japes - lighthearted tales to make you sing, clap and laugh out loud. You're guaranteed to leave with a skip in your step. Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling club held upstairs in the Waverley Bar, with the usual open-floor section for anyone to share a story, song or poem around the theme or otherwise. Hosted by Joanne Marr. Franziska Droll was born and bred in the Black Forest, Germany, and moved to Scotland after falling in love with the country and the people. She loves to tell traditional Scottish stories as well as tales from her homeland and myths and legends from all around the world. Her style is interactive and entertaining, and a story is often accompanied by a song and sometimes together with the sound of her ukulele or moon drum. No story is like the other, but they will all leave you with a smile.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
The Waverley Bar
(Sat 1 Jun: 6:30pm) Cleaner and single-mum Moira lets rip about her neighbour’s dug, blasting oot Diana Ross at the Scotia karaoke night, watching Scotland get gubbed (again), dealing with cheeky c**ts on the train, cleaning posh folks’ hooses, and, of course, surviving lockdown with only vodka, fags and her long-suffering BFF Babs for company. Alan Bissett performs the complete, hilarious story of Falkirk’s Hardest Woman Moira Bell in ‘three modern classics of Scottish theatre’ (The National). Bringing together The Moira Monologues (2009), 2017’s Fringe First winner More Moira Monologues and the 2022 finale Moira in Lockdown, this nae-messin' heroine finally has her say IN FULL. “A near-perfect series of monologues, howlingly funny and unnervingly sharp and poetic. The most charismatic character to appear on a Scottish stage in a decade.” ★★★★★ (Scotsman) “Such a riot my ears popped a couple of times from the row behind me shouting with laughter.” ★★★★★ (The National) “Welcome back, Moira. We missed you.” ★★★★★ (Broadway Baby) “Heart-stoppingly funny, and heart-warming. Storytelling perfection.” ★★★★★ (The QR) “Great hilarity, simple truths and some profound moments too: it’s no wonder Moira has such a loyal following.” ★★★★ (The List)
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 9 Jun: 2pm) Set sail on Easy Sunday, all hands-on deck! Join us in the warm and welcoming Storytelling Court for a fun opportunity to learn some Sea Shanties, the history of seafaring songs, and the traditions and nature of maritime language. Then have fun singing some rousing choruses as a group (no singing skills required!). Led by traditional Scots singer Joss Cameron, whose energy and enthusiasm will have you engaged and singing in rhythm long after the event ends. Open to all, especially those interested in becoming a shanty singer! ~~~~~~~~~~~ This event is part of Easy Sundays, a monthly session of stories, music, community and friendship, where a warm welcome awaits with a variety of activities for all the family to enjoy. So come find a space to relax amongst friends, old and new. ~~~~~~~~~~ Supported by the Thrive Network alongside the Scottish Storytelling Centre to create a warm and welcoming space for the community.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Thu 13 June: 7:30pm) Welcome to Queer Folks’ Tales, our hugely popular bi-monthly storytelling series where queer storytellers from a diverse range of backgrounds, ages and cultures around Edinburgh and Scotland share stories of LGBTQ+ lives, past, present and future. Sometimes hilarious, often moving, occasionally shocking, the mix of true and fictional stories across the year is as varied as the range of storytellers we invite. Household names feature alongside new and diverse queer storytellers from the different communities of Scotland. Many of the stories told in the Queer Folks' Tales evenings will be true stories of LGBTQ+ experience in Scotland today. Hosted by Edinburgh’s Turan Ali.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 15 Jun: 11am) Come and learn the songs of Galloway, with Robyn Stapleton. The songs will be taught in unison and harmony, spanning the themes of nature, farming, travel, and love! This workshop is suitable for all levels of singing experience. Multi award-winning singer Robyn Stapleton performs the songs of her Scottish and Irish heritage in the Scots, English and Gaelic languages. She is best known for her deeply emotive performances of traditional song and has collaborated with many of Scotland’s finest instrumentalists and leading ensembles. Accompanied by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, she has performed at Proms in the Park and for the BBC’s Burns Night celebrations.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
George Mackay Brown Library
(Sat 15 Jun: 1:30pm) Suitable for both Gaelic and non-Gaelic speakers, this workshop will focus on Scottish Gaelic songs from the Hebrides and include a diverse selection of material including waulking songs, lullabies and puirt-a-beul (mouth music). Workshop suitable for all abilities and no Gaelic required. Gaelic singer Mischa Macpherson unearthed her love for traditional music and song growing up in the Outer Hebrides. A recipient of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award and MG ALBA Gaelic Singer of the Year, her career has seen her perform across the UK, Europe, Australia, Canada and India, and collaborate with renowned musicians including Carlos Núñez (Galicia), Suraj and Chang Khan (Pakistan) and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
George Mackay Brown Library
(Thu 20 Jun: 7:30pm) Cassandra sits in Apollo’s temple, tears drying on her cheeks, blood caked beneath her fingernails. The ritual fires are burning, incense thick in the air. Her body no longer feels like hers, the ghosts of Apollo's hands heavy on her hips. Her mind is shattering under the weight of a thousand prophecies, always true and never believed. By a Scottish mountainside, a spaewife is thrust under the waves of a loch, her prophecies ringing in the ears of her murderers. Orcadian witch Marian Ibster, put to the pyre, screams out to the sky as her lover watches her burn. A girl scrubs her skin red raw in an Edinburgh flat. She blasts pop music as she daubs climate slogans on cardboard protest placards, ignoring the prophecies whistling on the winds of Auld Reekie. Storyteller Ailsa Dixon invites the audience into the realms of a divinatory prophetic ritual, creating a liminal and transient space. Legends of prophetess and priestess, witch and survivor build bridges across time and space; prophecies, pyres, smoke and tears meld and blend together as Ailsa's personal story melts into the old myths. She explores intimate themes of climate activism, sexual assault, feminism and mental health which bleed together in this deeply personal exploration of what it means to be believed.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 21 Jun-Sun 21 Jul) An exhibition of paintings, poetry, glass, willow and talismanic jewellery created with gratitude for the quiet wisdom and wonder of the Otherworld. Brought to you by the Animus - Art for the World Soul collective, this spell-laden collection of wonderworkings builds a bridge to magic, inviting you to linger a moment in a heartland we've almost forgotten. Featuring Catkin van Hoppe's ethereal watercolours, jewellery inspired by sacred relics from Jesse Ball, illuminated glass by Shen Chökyi and work by Fergus Hall and Julie MacLeod.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Fri 21 Jun: 7:30pm) Don’t miss the next fantastic show from Scotland’s best spoken word night! From the laugh-out-loud funny, through the wonderfully surreal, to the thoughtful and emotional: Loud Poets continues to prove that spoken word offers something for everyone. “Loud Poets is tearing up the landscape, bringing the ancient art to contemporary audiences – spreading mirth, giggles and talent along the way.” - Corr Blimey “Go listen to Loud Poets and hear them say the things you’ve been trying to say yourself.” - Shane Koyczan “There’s a humour, poignancy and most of all confidence which serves to inspire.” - Scotsman This showcase was made possible by funding from Creative Scotland and the National Lottery.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 22 Jun: 11am) Are you thinking of applying for funding for a project but feeling intimidated by the form? Have you applied in the past but not been successful and lost confidence? Perhaps you don't know what's fundable in the first place? This practical workshop led by Ailie Robertson will take you through the process of writing a successful funding application. It aims to cover all aspects of structuring your application and offer tips and advice to ensure that your submissions have every chance of success. The workshop will focus on:• How to talk about yourself and your project• How to strengthen your proposal• How to address Creative Scotland's three strategic priorities and key areas of work• How to think about evaluating and monitoring your project• How to budget, including how to calculate in-kind costs There will also be a discussion section encouraging questions from participants ~~~~~~~~~~ Ailie Robertson has a multi-faceted career combining work as a performer, composer, researcher and educator. She has worked on projects with an array of organisations both in Scotland and Internationally, and enjoys helping other creatives bring their ideas to life.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Fri 28 June: 7:30pm) Join guest storyteller Niall Moorjani for an evening of storytelling where the old stories are rethought in playful and thought-provoking ways. Another fun and friendly session of Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling club held upstairs in the Waverley Bar, with the usual open-floor section for anyone to share a story, song or poem around the theme or otherwise. Hosted by Donald Smith. Niall Moorjani is a non-binary, mixed Scots-Indian writer and storyteller. They are fascinated by the fantastical, the historical, and the liminal and have written and performed many shows, including A Fairie Tale and Mohan: A Partition Story at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Scottish International Storytelling Festival. They are also the founder and host of the Tales at The Tavern open mic story night in London. Niall's work has been described as ‘genius reinvention of the form’ (Fringe of Colour).
Scottish Storytelling Centre
The Waverley Bar
(Wed 3 Jul: 7pm) Join Edinburgh's own Burgh Blatherers for the second of a regular open-floor storytelling night taking place throughout the year, a cosy gathering in the relaxed surroundings of the Storytelling Court with refreshments available from the Haggis Box Café. Hosted by Bob Mitchell and members of Burgh Blatherers storytelling club, who will transport you with their own stories and imaginative weavings while offering you the chance to tell your own tales!
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sun 7 July: 3pm) Estelle models for The Artist. Despite decades of experience, she has never sat for a session like this and with such an outcome, both unexpected and inevitable. LIFE boldly mixes stillness, movement, silence, words and audience participation in creating theatre as art class, art class as theatre. You can join in, or simply watch the story emerge. Join Maria MacDonell (Miss Lindsay's Secret) and Mark Coleman for a work-in-progress performance of this exciting new work. The performance will be followed by a feedback session to which all are invited.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 19 Jul: 7:30pm) Don’t miss the next fantastic show from Scotland’s best spoken word night! From the laugh-out-loud funny, through the wonderfully surreal, to the thoughtful and emotional: Loud Poets continues to prove that spoken word offers something for everyone. “Loud Poets is tearing up the landscape, bringing the ancient art to contemporary audiences – spreading mirth, giggles and talent along the way.” - Corr Blimey “Go listen to Loud Poets and hear them say the things you’ve been trying to say yourself.” - Shane Koyczan “There’s a humour, poignancy and most of all confidence which serves to inspire.” - Scotsman This showcase was made possible by funding from Creative Scotland and the National Lottery.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 26 July: 7:30pm) The Guid Crack Club is being commandeered for one night only by Glasgow's own Village Storytelling Centre. Come join a raggle-taggle bunch of fresh voices as they take flight into a world of stories to make us soar. As always, bring a story to tell, a song to sing or anything else that can make our hearts fly and our lips quiver! This session will be led by storyteller Daniel Serridge with guests from the Village Storytelling Centre’s emerging storyteller scene. Daniel Serridge is a storyteller, community artist and facilitator who creates vibrant and exciting projects for all ages and abilities. Based at the Village Storytelling Centre in Glasgow, he tells stories and helps people to tell theirs, supporting everyone to see their experiences as pieces of artwork waiting to be told. His performance Orpheus | Orfeo was a highlight of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2023.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
The Waverley Bar
(Sat 31 Aug: 10:30am) 'I can see them standing on the other side of the flames, speaking in the voices of lions, or thunder, or monsters, or heroes, heroines, or the earth, or fire itself -- for they had to contain all voices within them, had to be all things and nothing.' (Ben Okri - A Way of Being Free) How can the body be both a tool for investigating a story, and a means of communicating with an audience? This workshop led by Jo Blake will empower you to connect with your audience through movement and voice to progress your skills and confidence. All bodies welcome in a creative and supportive environment, with an emphasis on exploration and curiosity. Please come with a story in mind that you feel happy to work with. Jo Blake is a performer, director, facilitator, teacher and curator whose performance practice sits at the intersection of storytelling, dance and theatre. She had a PhD in Emergent Storytelling Practices and is curious about the transformative power of embodied myth and acts of narration as cultural therapeutics. ~~~~~~~~~~ Pay it Forward If you are willing and able to donate a workshop place to another person, you now can! Click the button above and select the ticket price to donate. We will then be able to offer a free place to someone who would not have been able to attend otherwise. If you feel the Pay It Forward scheme would benefit you and would like to request a free ticket please email our Reception Team where you will be allocated a ticket if available. We hold 1 space per workshop for Pay It Forward requests.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Sat 21 Sep: 11am) In this workshop Katch will teach you how to arrange a live tour to perform and promote your music, with special focus on how musicians who may be just starting out or don't have representation can build festival and venue contacts, approach promoters, negotiate fees, advance their shows and promote their tour. The workshop will include breakouts for discussion and Q&A about the aspects of touring of the most interest to you. Katch Holmes has worked in the music industry in Scotland for 25 years. She has represented artists, commissioned new music, produced residencies and promoted gigs with folk and crossover music acts through her company Off Site Productions. She organises Knockengorroch roots music festival in Dumfries and Galloway. She sat on WOMEX selection panels in 2021 and 2017 and is a Relational Dynamics business coach working with professional creatives.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Wed 2 Oct: 7pm) Join Edinburgh's own Burgh Blatherers for the second of a regular open-floor storytelling night taking place throughout the year, a cosy gathering in the relaxed surroundings of the Storytelling Court with refreshments available from the Haggis Box Café. Hosted by Bob Mitchell and members of Burgh Blatherers storytelling club, who will transport you with their own stories and imaginative weavings while offering you the chance to tell your own tales!
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sat 16 Nov: 10:30am) A hands-on, practical introduction to live storytelling and the associated skills. Storyteller Janis Mackay leads this participatory session for anyone curious about discovering and developing their own storytelling talent. Let out your inner storyteller and learn to craft your skills. For new and aspiring storytellers. Janis Mackay is an award-winning storyteller and author based in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she also teaches creative writing. She is the author of The Fairy Song, The Selkie Girl, and the Magnus Fin and Accidental Time Traveller trilogies. Janis also facilitates the Scottish Storytelling Forum's Apprentice Storyteller programme. ~~~~~~~~~~ Our participatory sessions are designed to help you improve your skills and share your experiences with fellow storytelling enthusiasts. This carefully curated workshop programme offers you the chance to work with highly-skilled and experienced artists, giving you guidance on improving your practice and discovering your own talent. Did you know? Members of the Scottish Storytelling Forum are entitled to discounted rates on our storytelling workshops. For more information on memberships please visit the Storytelling Forum website. ~~~~~~~~~~ Pay it Forward If you are willing and able to donate a workshop place to another person, you now can! Click the button above and select the ticket price to donate. We will then be able to offer a free place to someone who would not have been able to attend otherwise. If you feel the Pay It Forward scheme would benefit you and would like to request a free ticket please email our Reception Team where you will be allocated a ticket if available. We hold 1 space per workshop for Pay It Forward requests.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Online On-Demand) Another Story is a new podcast series exploring some of the themes featured in this year’s Festival. Tune in to hear some wonderful storytellers share their favourite tales and chat about storytelling in Scotland and beyond. So settle down, or speed on up, to join us for another story… Available wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple, Google and Amazon. Follow us by liking and subscribing so you don’t miss an episode! Listen Here
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Online SISF
Explore Edinburgh as a city by the sea by enjoying this specially created story film. Follow the coastline from Fisherrow, on the boundary with East Lothian, to South Queensferry. A trail of harbours and wildlife havens that glimmers with stories from folklore, history and ecology. Devised by the SISF with storytellers Beverley Casebow, Douglas Mackay, Janis Mackay, Linda Perttula, Nicola Wright and Donald Smith, with music by Kenneth Linklater and the Bowling Ceilidh Band. Produced in support of the Forth Rivers Trust and Restoration Forth, Blue City: A Storytelling Journey along Edinburgh's Coastline is free to access. This film will be available on YouTube from Fri 14 Oct. View the film ~~~~~~~~~~ Over the past two years we have enjoyed being part of a fantastic online storytelling community across the world. We would love to further connect with you in our digital storytelling and development sessions, so whether you are based in Scotland, or further afield, let’s keep that fire lit on our global platforms. ~~~~~~~~~~ In Scotland’s Year of Stories, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Keep It Lit invites everyone to the ceilidh; locally, nationally and globally. At the core of Scotland’s culture and identity is the hospitable hearth - a place of solidarity and welcome for friend and stranger alike. Round that symbolic fire, experiences and memories are shared and hope affirmed.
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Online SISF
Green City: Healing and Hope is a new storytelling film exploring the grassroots movement to turn Edinburgh green. The struggle for net zero will be won or lost in cities, so how is Edinburgh doing after 900 years as a burgh? Hear directly from people and places who think global and act local. Green City is a companion piece to Blue City (2022), which explored Edinburgh as a city by the sea. Narrated by Donald Smith, with contributions from fellow storytellers and activists. Co-Directed by Sandy McGhie (Channel 7A) & Donald Smith. Produced by the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, Green City: Healing and Hope will be free to access from Friday 16th February 2024. View the film
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Online SISF
Enjoy several multimedia storytelling performances filmed live in the Scottish Storytelling Centre's Netherbow Theatre in October 2022, where a world of local Scottish stories unfolds through the live voices of traditional storytellers and site-specific film footage of the landscapes they emerge from. Featuring stories from Dumfries and Galloway, the North East, Orkney, the Outer Hebrides and Perth and Kinross. ~~~~~~~~~~ These live performances were part of Tales, Tongues and Trails, a celebration of regional and international language, landscape and identities for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2022. Map of Stories YouTube playlist of all five Film Ceilidhs Scottish International Storytelling Festival Live filming by Sandy McGhie (Channel 7A). ~~~~~~~~~~ Map of Stories is a collaboration between Transgressive North, Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland and Rectangle Design, supported by Creative Scotland and EventScotland as part of Scotland's Year of Stories 2022.
Scottish Storytelling Centre Online
Online
Enjoy several multimedia storytelling performances filmed live in the Scottish Storytelling Centre's Netherbow Theatre in October 2022, where a world of local Scottish stories unfolds through the live voices of traditional storytellers and site-specific film footage of the landscapes they emerge from. Featuring stories from Dumfries and Galloway, the North East, Orkney, the Outer Hebrides and Perth and Kinross. ~~~~~~~~~~ These live performances were part of Tales, Tongues and Trails, a celebration of regional and international language, landscape and identities for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2022. Map of Stories YouTube playlist of all five Film Ceilidhs Scottish International Storytelling Festival Live filming by Sandy McGhie (Channel 7A). ~~~~~~~~~~ Map of Stories is a collaboration between Transgressive North, Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland and Rectangle Design, supported by Creative Scotland and EventScotland as part of Scotland's Year of Stories 2022.
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Online SISF
(Fri 3 May-Sat 15 Jun) FISHING is a modern exploration of contemporary identities and heritage. Artist Stephanïe Vandëm imaginatively combines oil painting and mixed media materials salvaged from the shoreline to creatively evoke the connections between the communities of the North East of Scotland and their fishing heritage. The artist draws from the rich traditions of Renaissance and Latin American art to create semi-sculptural pieces that deep dive into the pressing environmental & identity concerns of our time. The work repurposes the discarded fragments of our plastic-heavy society, merging them into intriguing jigsaw-puzzle images that evoke our possible shared futures. The calm and simplicity of the painted sections of the artwork contrast with the more complex three-dimensional mixed media elements which convey movement despite the heavy-layered look of the work. Weathered figures, chopped up lobster creels and everyday objects are ‘fossilized’ in cement, resin, sand and plastic, creating intriguing new structures that come away from the painted surface.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sun 5 May: 1:30pm & 3pm - SOLD OUT) This delightful Beltane Fire Society tradition allows parents to share in the magic of the Beltane story with their little ones through storytelling, face painting and arts & crafts. Two sessions are available across the afternoon, so come and enjoy!
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sun 5 May: 6pm) A mesmerising glimpse into the landscapes, folktales and songs that inspired one of Scotland's great early collectors of traditional arts. Marjory Kennedy-Fraser began collecting Hebridean songs in 1905, fired by a desire to preserve and celebrate the musical riches of the islands' people. These disarming films provide a snapshot of her work and the culture of the people she devoted her life to studying, all the while revealing the warmth of her personality and her passion for the rugged beauty of the Hebrides. Joining us on this journey to the Isles will be acclaimed storyteller and musician Marion Kenny and award-winning musician, singer and songwriter Mairi Campbell. Weaving together words, music and song alongside Kennedy-Fraser's enchanting films, Marion and Mairi will conjure the sounds and landscapes captured by this key figure of Scotland's Celtic Revival. ~~~~~ This project was originally commissioned by The Hippodrome Silent Film Festival, Scotland's only Festival of silent film with live music. The commission was supported by the Year of Stories 2022 Community Stories Fund, delivered in partnership between VisitScotland and Museums Galleries Scotland with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players. Screening material courtesy of National Library of Scotland Moving Image Archive. Part of the Folk Film Gathering 2024.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Mon 6 May: 2pm) Come awa in and get nice and cosy, sit yersel doon and Susi will tell ye a story!Jenny wis just aboot tae drink her juice when up popped a hungry moose! In this gentle story aboot sharing, a wee lassie is suddenly joined fer lunch by a moose, a craw and a hairy oobit who have all seen her yummy cheese and lettuce piece! Will she share it? Join Susi for stories in the cosy Storytelling Court to celebrate the launch of her new book Yum, illustrated by Charlotte Brayley and published by Foggie Toddle Books. It is an exciting introduction tae Scots Language for wee ones. Susi Briggs is a listed author, poet and storyteller. She co-hosts the original story and sang show Oor Wee Podcast wi Alan McClure. Susi is author of shortlisted Bairns’ Books o the Year Nip Nebs, Nip Nebs and the Last Berry and Wheesht. All her original stories and poems are in Scots because Susi wants the next generation to see that Scots language is as beautiful and valid as any other on this bonny birlin planet.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Tue 7 May: 2pm) Join friends from the Scots Music Group for an afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems and stories. Held in the relaxed setting of the Storytelling Court. All welcome to listen or bring a tune for a turn!
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Tue 7 May: 7:30pm) Myrddin seeks the sanctuary of an apple tree, where he befriends a wolf and a pig. The stories they tell each other unearth deep memories of an ancient sow goddess, a gallant quest and Myrddin’s own mysterious conception and early life. A thousand years later, a young single mum receives a visitation that will influence the course of her life, leading her to deepest Wales and to Hartfell in Dumfries, on a quest for the living myth of Myrddin and the primal power of the land. Welsh storyteller Milly Jackdaw presents a fusion of traditional storytelling, physical theatre, music and ceremony in this solo performance based on the life of Myrddin, inspiration for Merlin in Arthurian legend, and his encounters with magical animals. Explore the living myth, and its relevance to our current times through tales which restore a sense of meaning, wonder and hope. Trailer Funded by Arts Council Wales.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Wed 8 May: 1pm) “Tell me what ails and I’ll tell you a tale.” The Faery Doctor is in. Join magical storyteller Halo Quin for some pop-up storytelling with a medicinal twist! Drop-in to the Haggis Box Café and catch a tale or two. Halo Quin is an author, storyteller, singer-songwriter and magical creature based in Wales, visiting us especially for Edinburgh Tradfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Wed 8 May: 7:30pm) Emily Dickinson's enigmatic and brilliant poetry was largely unread and unpublished during her lifetime, but she is now considered one of America's greatest and most original poets. Singer/songwriter John Hinshelwood's sensitive musical interpretations based on a selection of her poetry, accompanied by words read from her letters, open a window on the life and work of this remarkable woman and the passions and preoccupations which she poured into her writing. John is joined by regular band members Tim Black (guitars, mandolin, vocals) and Ed McGlone (bass, Chapman Stick, vocals), and Emily’s words are read by Fiona Wellstood. The project has the endorsement of the Emily Dickinson International Society. ‘Emily Dickinson’s singular poetry receives considerate treatment from Scottish singer/songwriter John Hinshelwood, who sets her work to modern American accompaniments - bluegrass, old time, jazz - without obscuring the poems’ questioning wonder.’ (Scotsman) ‘A fine tribute to the work of one of America’s leading poets.’ (Americana UK)
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Thu 9 May: 7:30pm) Welcome to an eclectic night of ancient myth, contemporary storytelling, post-folk music, and physical artistry. Steeped in the traditions of Scottish storytelling, we evoke the warm atmosphere of peat-smoked hearthsides and ceilidh house revelry, presenting timeless motifs relevant to a discerning modern audience. Join host Dougie Mackay as he invites a different selection of Scotland’s finest storytellers, songwriters, musicians, and performing artists to each bi-monthly Hearth Fire Session to create an innovative showcase of Scotland’s contemporary culture. In May, Dougie is joined by whistle and wooden flute player, guitarist and singer-songwriter Sam Gillespie, storyteller and tradition bearer Jess Smith and basketweaver Katie Warner. Trailer
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 10 May: 8:30pm) Join us for a very special evening of music from two of Finland’s most visionary musicians. Pekko Käppi is Finland’s ‘wild man of the jouhikko’, a visionary Finnish folk music composer, singer and instrumentalist who has revolutionised the standards of playing the ancient Finnish lyre. LAU NAU (aka Laura Naukkarinen) is one of the foremost voices in Finland’s contemporary music scene. Frequently working with film, her music has a cinematic breadth of vision, and her idiosyncratic, finely honed sound world builds on fragile, spectral otherness. Naukkarinen and Kappi come together for one night only, to celebrate their recent collaboration on Katja Gauriloff’s new film, JE’VIDA, screening at Edinburgh Cameo as part of the Folk Film Gathering 2024 .
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 11 May: 11am) For musicians who want to be better storytellers on stage! Learn how to improve your patter and song introductions with some basic rules of storytelling. An interactive and fun session led by experienced storyteller Svend-Erik Engh, where you will learn how to stay grounded, be aware of your audience and try different introductions to songs and music, with honest and useful feedback. Presented by the Traditional Music Forum. Svend-Erik Engh is a Danish storyteller living in Edinburgh. He tells Viking stories, Norse myths, and Scandinavian folktales and legends. Born and raised in Denmark to a Norwegian mother, these stories are in his blood and bones. Svend-Erik has a passion for all good stories and has collected many on his world travels over the years. When he is not having fun telling or writing stories, he is coaching storytellers and leading seminars and masterclasses to help people become better storytellers.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Sat 11 May: 2pm) Join mad auld Auntie Bee and her long-suffering niece Bonnie McRee on a tour of Auld Reekie, past and present, real and imagined. Without leaving the cosy Storytelling Court, their mad-cap journey takes in a trip round Arthur’s Seat, an encounter with Scotland’s national animal, the unicorn, a dive into the sanitary arrangements of Edinburgh tenements before the days of plumbing and an adventure with Scruffy Bob, great-great-great-great-great grandpa of Greyfriars Bobby. A Jaunt Roond Auld Reekie is performed in Scots and English, and its stories are told through music, comedy and puppetry by one of Edinburgh’s best community theatre companies. Formed in 2010, Ceilidh Crew ‘n Co works with people of all ages and backgrounds, drawing on the musical, acting and storytelling skills of its two performers, Corinne (Auntie Bee) and Alyssa (Bonnie). Script and original songs by Corinne Harris and puppets by Ali McCaw. A Jaunt Roond Auld Reekie is supported by a generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. We thank players of the National Lottery for their support.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sat 11 May: 7:30pm) Sometimes fathers are silent and children grow up without stories. How can the children of these fathers release their trapped lips? We humans have the right to know our ancestors’ stories. By reimagining old tales from Lithuania and around the world, storyteller Daiva Ivanauskaitė and musician Gaynor Barradell explore the silence between generations. Let them take you to the deep dark woods and meet the old man with the wire beard, always hungry for unheard stories. Directed by Lauren Bianchi. Supported by The Village Storytelling Centre. ~~~~~~~~~~ Originally commissioned for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2023. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, creatives within and beyond the storytelling community celebrated and explored aspects of our common humanity in the Right To Be Human series.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 12 May: 1pm) Come with family and friends to dance Scottish dances and sing well-known songs with the the Matthew Maclennan Ceilidh Band, with calling and stories by Alison Reeves. All dances will be called and there'll be easy-to-follow circles for wee ones. A fun introduction to sociable dancing with live music. ~~~~~~~~~~~ This event is part of Easy Sundays, a monthly session of stories, music, community and friendship, where a warm welcome awaits with a variety of activities for all the family to enjoy. So come find a space to relax amongst friends, old and new. ~~~~~~~~~~ Supported by the Thrive Network alongside the Scottish Storytelling Centre to create a warm and welcoming space for the community.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sun 12 May: 3:30pm) Berwickshire Coastal Arts bring you a reflection of what it means to live, and want to live, in a coastal community. Drawing on the cultural and historical heritage of an east coast fishing toon and inspired by interviews, photographs and video pieces recorded by local people, this performance shares experiences of living in Eyemouth and surrounding towns and villages before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic served to remind this community of its own resilience. Although isolated by the virus, they stayed connected through stories and conversations which were captured in a beautiful and evocative film The First Wave by Kate Sweeney and Roma Yagnik. The film is accompanied by further stories, songs and reminiscences. This will be the final performance of the six-year ‘People and the Sea’ project. Part of this journey involved a production of Get up and Tie Your Fingers at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, which was the first time the community had performed outwith Eyemouth. We are delighted to welcome the community back to SSC for this, their farewell and fare weel.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 17 May: 7:30pm) Don’t miss the next fantastic show from Scotland’s best spoken word night! From the laugh-out-loud funny, through the wonderfully surreal, to the thoughtful and emotional: Loud Poets continues to prove that spoken word offers something for everyone. “Loud Poets is tearing up the landscape, bringing the ancient art to contemporary audiences – spreading mirth, giggles and talent along the way.” - Corr Blimey “Go listen to Loud Poets and hear them say the things you’ve been trying to say yourself.” - Shane Koyczan “There’s a humour, poignancy and most of all confidence which serves to inspire.” - Scotsman This showcase was made possible by funding from Creative Scotland and the National Lottery.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 18 May & Sat 1 Jun: 1:30pm) Do you have a desire to facilitate long-term meaningful storytelling projects? Do you want to explore in greater depth the fundamentals of working with groups of all ages and abilities? In this 2-day training you’ll take a deep dive into the tools and techniques of facilitation, from group dynamics to safeguarding, from structure to pacing, from planning to delivery. Storyteller Dan Serridge and The Village Storytelling Centre will support you to think more deeply about the complex nature of storytelling projects, their ethical implications and what it takes to support groups to engage, connect and be inspired. Dan Serridge is a storyteller, community artist and facilitator who creates vibrant and exciting community projects for all ages and abilities. He tells stories and helps people to tell theirs, supporting everyone to see their experiences as pieces of artwork waiting to be told. Through a combination of the personal and folkloric Dan explores the power of metaphor and meaning that sharing stories can hold. The Village Storytelling Centre improves lives and empowers communities by bringing people together, inspiring them to find, shape and share their voice and to realise their potential through the power of Storytelling. All of their work supports positive social interaction, the development of friendships and support networks for the most disadvantaged or marginalised communities. ~~~~~~~~~~ Pay it Forward If you are willing and able to donate a workshop place to another person, you now can! Click the button above and select the ticket price to donate. We will then be able to offer a free place to someone who would not have been able to attend otherwise. If you feel the Pay It Forward scheme would benefit you and would like to request a free ticket please email our Reception Team where you will be allocated a ticket if available. We hold 1 space per workshop for Pay It Forward requests.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Tue 21 May: 7pm) Edinburgh's Scottish Polish Cultural Association, with support from the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland and Kraków City Council, presents an evening showcasing the artistic output of Scotland, Poland and Ukraine. Enjoy Scottish and Polish songs and poems, including those of our national bard Robert Burns, and the music of Ukraine. We will also be joined by singer and songwriter Tamara Kalinowska, who has entertained audiences with her own and others' songs at Kraków's famous Piwnica Pod Baranami cabaret club for over forty years.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Wed 22 May: 7:30pm) The yellow is on the broom and a spring is in full flow, so join us for a celebration of Traveller tales and stories of journey as we head towards summer time. A lovely evening of live storytelling in the relaxed setting of the Netherbow Theatre, where our amazing apprentice storytellers will show off their skills and explore this quarter's theme. Hosted by Janis Mackay, with a host of new storytelling voices, including Emilie Barr (Seelie Wight Stories), Mary Baxter, Fiona Ferguson, Jack Forester, Ryan Martin, Lababa Naqvi, Jen Newall, Katie Proven and David G Pullar!
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 24 May: 12:30pm) The checkpoint is closed. “Detour, detour!” shouts a taxi driver, announcing the beginning of yet another uncertain search for a way around the barriers curtailing Palestinian movement in the West Bank. Infiltrators (PG) is a visceral “road movie” that chronicles the daily travails of Palestinians of all backgrounds as they seek routes through, under, around, and over a bewildering matrix of barriers. Following this high stakes “game” of cat and mouse with a handheld video camera, Khaled Jarrarʼs debut documentary was the standout success at the 2012 Dubai International Film Festival, winning the Muhr Arab Documentary Prize, the Special Jury Prize, and the International Critics Prize. The screening will be followed by a virtual Q&A with the director. Genre: Documentary, Action | Year of Release: 2012 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English ~~~~~ Khaled Jarrar, born in Jenin, completed his studies in Interior design at the Palestine Polytechnic University in 1996 and entered the field of photography in 2004. In 2011 he graduated as visual artist from the International Academy of Art, Palestine. His first exhibition took place in public space at the checkpoints of Howarra and Qalandya. Jarrar started making films and videos in 2008, among them Journey. He has taken part in international art events including Art Basel 41, Instant video, London Film Festival, the International Contemporary Art Fair “FIAC” in Paris and Berlin Biennale 7. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 24 May: 3:30pm) A collection of short films exploring themes and experiences of time and space. All films are subtitled in English. ~~~~~ Silent Protest المظاهرة الصامتة (PG) by Mahasen Nasser-EldinOn 26 October 1929, Palestinian women launched their women’s movement in Jerusalem. Approximately 300 women converged into the city from all over Palestine. They held a silent demonstration through a car convoy across the city in protest at the British High Commissioner’s bias against Arabs in the Buraq uprising. This is their story on that day. Genre: Documentary, Historical, Archives | Year of Release: 2019 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English Nation Estate (12A) by Larissa SansourIn this sci-fi short, one colossal high-rise houses the entire Palestinian population – now finally living the high life. With a glossy mixture of computer-generated imagery, live actors and an arabesque electronic soundtrack, Nation Estate explores a vertical solution to Palestinian statehood where each city has its own floor and intercity trips previously marred by checkpoints are now made by elevator. Genre: Short, Science-Fiction, Dystopian | Year of Release: 2013 | Original Languages: Arabic, English | Subtitles: English Canada Park حديقة كندا (12A) by Razan AlSalahI walk on snow to fall unto the desert. I find myself on unceded indigenous territory in so called Canada, an exile unable to return to Palestine. I trespass the colonial border as a digital spectre floating through Ayalon-Canada Park, transplanted over three Palestinian villages razed by the Israeli Occupation Forces in 1967. Canada Park is an experimental video poem exploring the politics of dis/appearance of Palestine as narrativized, mapped and imaged in Google Streetview and early 20th century colonial landscape photography of the ‘Holy Land’. Genre: Short, Experimental, Poem | Year of Release: 2020 | Original Languages: Arabic, English | Subtitles: English ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 24 May: 6pm) 3000 Nights (12A) tells the story of a young Palestinian school teacher who gives birth to her son in an Israeli prison, where she fights to survive, protect her son and maintain hope. Genre: Drama, Documentary, Crime Fiction | Year of Release: 2015 | Original Languages: Arabic, Hebrew, English | Subtitles: English The main feature will be preceded by short film Freedom is Mine by Mahmoud Salameh. ~~~~~ Mai Masri is a Palestinian filmmaker who studied at San Francisco State University, USA. Her films have been screened worldwide and won over 90 awards. Recognized for her work that focuses on women and children in a humanistic and poetic approach, her feature film, 3000 Nights (2015) had its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival and won 28 awards. Mai worked closely with her late husband, filmmaker Jean Chamoun, and earned international acclaim for films including Children of Fire, Woman for Her Time, Children of Shatila, Frontiers of Dreams and Fears, Beirut Diaries and Wildflowers. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 24 May: 9pm) The growing struggle for Palestinian self-determination between 1960 and 1980 was supported by radical left-wing movements worldwide, also in Japan. This is illustrated by R21 AKA Restoring Solidarity (12A), a collection of 16mm films by militant filmmakers from various countries, which were dubbed and screened in Japan. Their Japanese audiences felt oppressed by the US after World War II, and not only sympathised but also identified with the Palestinians. The screening will be followed by a virtual Q&A with the director. Genre: Documentary, Experimental, Historical, Archives | Year of Release: 2022 | Original Languages: Japanese, Arabic, English | Subtitles: English ~~~~~ Mohanad Yaqubi is a filmmaker, producer, and one of the founders of the Ramallah-based production outfit Idioms Film, as well as of the research and curatorial collective Subversive Films which focuses on militant film practices. He is a resident researcher at KASK- School of the Arts in Gent, Belgium where he researches archival structures within transnational solidarity movements, while considering politics, aesthetics and cinema, at the same time, re-thinking imperfect archives as a mechanism to bridge living memories. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 25 May: 11am) A collection of short films exploring the theme of children and childhood under occupation. The films will be followed by a virtual Q&A with director Farah Nabulsi. ~~~~~ Maradona’s Legs إجرين مارادونا (U) by Firas KhouryDuring the 1990 World Cup, two young Palestinian boys are looking for “Maradona’s legs”; the last missing sticker that they need in order to complete their world cup album and win a free Atari. Genre: Comedy, Sports, Short | Year of Release: 2019 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English Ayny عيني (12A) by Ahmad SalehTwo young boys run away from their mother’s protection and slack line on the danger of war to play music with the instrument they always dreamt to have. Genre: Stop-motion Animation, Short | Year of Release: 2016 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English The Present الهدية (PG) by Farah NabulsiOn his wedding anniversary, Yusef and his young daughter set out in the West Bank to buy his wife a gift. Between soldiers, segregated roads and checkpoints, how easy is it to go shopping? Genre: Drama, Narrative, Short | Year of Release: 2020 | Original Languages: Arabic, English | Subtitles: English Zoo حديقة الحیوان (12A) by Tariq RimawiWandering through the Worst Zoo in the World, Sami is looking for his football. The lone boy finds more than that when he encounters the little tiger Laziz, who follows him on his quest to find a safe place to play. Genre: Drama, Animation, Short | Year of Release: 2022 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English Hide & Seek غُميضة by Rami AbbasAn animated short film narrating the story of a child and his fish on their journey into the unknown, following the raid on the child’s town during the ongoing war ravaging his country. The short film captures the steps of this journey and its transformations. Genre: Animation, Drama | Year of Release: 2024 | Original Language: Silent Uncle… Give Me A Cigarette عمي اعطيني سيجارة (PG) by Union of Palestinian Women's Committees and interns from Birzeit UniversityAwaiting a prison transfer, Walid receives a strange request in a mysterious whisper… Collaborating with a team of girls from the Union of Palestinian Women's Committees and interns from Birzeit University, the group transformed Walid Dakka's narrative into a short stop-motion film using wire armatures and paper mache. Genre: Drama, Stop-motion Animation, Short | Year of Release: 2023 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 25 May: 1:30pm) A pair of documentary films on Gaza and Gazan experiences, followed by a Q&A with Ahmed Alnaouq, a Palestinian journalist from Gaza and the co-founder of We Are Not Numbers, a collective which trains the next generation of Palestinian writers to publish their stories in English. ~~~~~ Between Two Crossings بين معبرين (PG) by Yassir Murtaja and Rushdi Al-SarrajA documentary film following the journey of Nour, a Palestinian student from Gaza with a scholarship to enrol in Portland State University in the United States. In order to get there, Nour struggles to find a way to travel through the only two gates separating the Gaza Strip from the rest of the world: Erez Checkpoint, controlled by Israel; and Rafah Crossing, controlled by Egypt. Director Yassir Murtaja was a Palestinian journalist and filmmaker from Gaza. He was shot and killed by an Israeli sniper while covering the Great March of Return on April 6, 2018. Many people around the world witnessed Yassir’s wish before he died through his Facebook status: that one day he wanted to be able to see Gaza and the world from the window of an aeroplane. Co-director Rushdi Al-Sarraj was Yassir's best friend and creative partner. He was killed in Gaza on October 22, 2023, by a targeted bomb from an Israeli warplane dropped on his house. We share this film in honour of their memory. Genre: Documentary | Year of Release: 2018 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English Gaza, Footbullet غزة رصاصه بالقدم (U) by Iyad AlasttalA team of amputee Palestinian footballers prepare to meet their French counterparts as part of a series of sporting, cultural and solidarity meetings. Genre: Documentary, Sports | Year of Release: 2021| Original Languages: Arabic, French | Subtitles: English ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 25 May: 4:30pm) How does occupation and siege affect art and individual artists? Is it possible to look at art from occupied areas without considering the restrictions on freedom and other rights? What role has art in the Palestinian resistance? In this conversation, Palestinian artist Malak Mattar will sit down to share her experiences and discuss the role of art as activism, cultural resistance, assertions of identity, and ongoing shifts in Palestinian narratives, while sharing her journey as an artist in the besieged Gaza. The conversation will be moderated by Bayan Haddad. ~~~~~ Malak Mattar was born in 1999 in the Gaza Strip and grew up under occupation and the military siege. From a family of talented cultural practitioners, Mattar started making art as a teenager during a period of open conflict (Operation Protective Edge, 2014), She has a Masters of Fine Art from Central Saint Martin’s, London, in 2023. Soon after arriving in the UK, Mattar’s entire world was turned upside down, causing her work to undergo a dramatic shift in style, subject matter and palette. While artist-in-residence at An Effort in Central London (December 2023–February 2024), she documented the genocide in her homeland through a series of mostly monochrome drawings and paintings. She later combined these scenes into a monumental greyscale painting called No Words. “It needs to be completely horrific,” she stated while making the work, “otherwise it will not accurately reflect the genocide.” Mattar has come to Edinburgh for her debut Scottish exhibition Screams. Her works will be exhibited at Embassy Gallery from 23-27 May and the In Vitro Gallery at Summerhall from 7-28 June. Bayan Haddad is a Palestinian scholar and an instructor of English literature at Birzeit University. She is the George Antonius Birzeit Visiting Fellow for 2024 and she researches fiction from Palestine and Northern Ireland in light of trauma studies. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 25 May: 6:30pm) Elderly Palestinians are caught between their right to forage their own land and the harsh restrictions imposed by their occupiers on the basis of preservation. Shot in the Golan Heights, the Galilee and Jerusalem, Foragers employs fiction, documentary and archival footage to portray the impact of Israeli "nature protection" laws on these customs. The restrictions prohibit the collection of the artichoke-like ’akkoub and za’atar (thyme), and have resulted in fines and trials for hundreds caught collecting these native plants. Following the plants from the wild to the kitchen, from the chases between the foragers and the nature patrol to courtroom defences, Foragers (PG) captures the joy and knowledge embodied in these traditions alongside their resilience to the prohibitive law and raises questions around the politics of extinction - who determines what is made extinct and what gets to live on. Genre: Documentary | Year of Release: 2022 | Original Languages: Arabic, Hebrew | Subtitles: English ~~~~~ Jumana Manna was born in Princeton, USA and currently lives in Berlin, Germany. She is a Palestinian artist whose work shifts between sculpture and film, body and land, narrative and form. Her practice explores how power is articulated through relationships, often focusing on the body and materiality in relation to narratives of nationalism and histories of place. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 25 May: 8:30pm) Enjoy dinner and live storytelling featuring Glasgow-based Palestinian chefs Hiba and her daughter Dana of Hiba’s Palestinian Kitchen, as well as Edinburgh-based Palestinian author and cook Diline Abushaban. Share delicious dishes that embody the richness and diversity of Palestinian cuisine, and listen to stories told by Hiba, Dana, and Diline on the symbolism and history behind these ingredients. ~~~~~ Hiba’s Palestinian Kitchen is founded by a mother & daughter wanting to spread Palestinian cuisine and heritage across Scotland. Their mission is to resist by keeping their dishes alive. Diline Abushaban is an author and speaker, originally from Gaza, living in Scotland for 17 years. Diline is passionate about healing and inspiring people to live mindfully and heal their lives. Since the start of the ongoing genocide, Diline has been speaking, writing and sharing stories to challenge the dehumanisation of the Palestinian people and grieve the deep losses they are experiencing. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sun 26 May: 11am-4pm) This space will be open for families and children to come spend some time and engage in activities around Palestine. Join in with craft activities, colouring books, storytelling, henna, reading materials for all ages, and children's books in Arabic! Drop-in any time from 11am to 4pm. If you wish to attend any of scheduled activities below, arrive at least 15 minutes before the start time to sign up. Spots are limited due to space constraints. Scheduled Activities 11:30am-12pm: Rajiv's Starry Feelings with Niall MoorjaniJoin Niall for a reading of their new book. Aimed at ages 2-6 years. 12pm-12:30pm: Storytelling for 6+ with Niall MoorjaniNiall will tell adventurous stories about standing tall in the face of adversity. Aimed at ages 6-9 years. Niall Moorjani is a writer and storyteller who has performed all over the world. Their work is inspired by history, identity, myth and folklore. 1pm-2pm: Arts & Crafts Workshop: What Does Palestine Mean to Me?This collage and colouring workshop for children and parents alike will be led by Mourad Diouri. Mourad is the founder of the Edinburgh Arab Festival and teaching fellow at the University of Edinburgh. Mourad is also the founder of Mosaic Tree Press, a publishing company whose books will feature at the festival and guide this workshop. 2pm-3pm: Introduction to TatreezJoin Riwaa Joma to learn the basics of Palestinian embroidery, tatreez. Tatreez is a form of Palestinian embroidery typically sewn on garments which employs a range of symbols including birds, trees and flowers. Historically, tatreez was practised in the rural areas and each village or region had their unique patterns. Tatreez is an artful practice of resistance whose power has resisted war, destruction, and expulsion. Today, the art is common practice across the diaspora, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. The workshop aims to introduce you to the basics of tatreez, all materials will be provided. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sun 26 May: 11am) This diverse array of films were all submitted to the Festival by emerging Palestinian filmmakers. From the resolve to resist house demolitions, to the courageous risking of personal safety to document the realities of occupation, each story encapsulates a unique facet of sacrifice. Others delve into the everyday struggles of acquiring basic necessities, the grief of martyrdom, and the internal battles of self-acceptance. These films serve as powerful testimonies to the steadfast resilience and humanity of the Palestinian experience, shedding light on the multifaceted dimensions of sacrifice that define that reality. Through their artistry, these emerging filmmakers offer profound insights into the shared struggles and enduring spirit of a people determined to assert their dignity and rights in the face of injustice. All films are subtitled in English. ~~~~~ Eitr عطر by Fateema Al-Hamaydeh MillerGrinding away at the family business, Mohamed works tirelessly selling knock-off perfume, while living as a knock-off version of his true self. Eitr explores queerness in the context of Arab culture and family structure, leading into secret worlds that we build for ourselves and how we share them with others. Genre: Romantic Dramedy | Year of Release: 2023 | Languages: English, Arabic Shattered Memory ذاكرة مهشمة by Hayat LabbanThe documentary honours the memory of photojournalist Mahfouz Abu Turk and explores the archive through which he documented the events he experienced in the city of Jerusalem and the West Bank from the first intifada in 1987 until the end of the 1990s. Genre: Documentary, Archive | Year of Release: 2023 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English Zawaya زوايا by Mira HajhassanSiham and her goldfish, Tooteh, find themselves trapped in a half-empty house by an oppressive system that lives inside their walls and will soon begin demolishing them. As danger approaches, Siham uses her imagination to process her pain and resist the oppression. Genre: Drama, Dystopian | Year of Release: 2023 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English For You لأجلك by Mahmoud Hamdan The film revolves around the friends of the martyr, paramedic and dancer Sajed Mizher, exploring their psychological state and emotions following his martyrdom. The film presents, in an experimental visual style, scenes from before, during, and after his martyrdom. Genre: Experimental Documentary | Year of Release: 2022 | Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English Does Not Exist ما في by Rami AhmadYousef and his grandfather Saeed are Palestinian-Syrian refugees who fled from the Syrian war in Yarmouk to live in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, where Youssef struggles to keep his grandfather alive. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 26 May: 2pm) Muna and her teenage son leave the West Bank, dreaming of an exciting future in the promised land of small-town Illinois, USA. But starting a new life proves harder than they could have imagined. Told with heartfelt humour by Palestinian American writer-director Cherien Dabis in her feature film debut, Amreeka (12A) explores family experiences of immigration and the first-generation teenagers caught between their heritage and their new world. Genre: Comedy, Drama | Year of Release: 2009 | Original Languages: Arabic, English, French | Subtitles: English ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 26 May: 6pm) The story of a city that once connected Palestine to the world, Lyd (15) explores what it once was, what it is now, and what it could have become. The screening will be followed by a virtual Q&A with the director(s). Genre: Documentary, Science Fiction | Year of Release: 2023 | Original Language: Arabic | Subtitles: English ~~~~~ Rami Younis is a Palestinian filmmaker, writer and journalist from Lyd. Younis currently hosts a daily news show called On the Other Hand on Israel's national broadcasting corporation's Arabic channel which counters misinformation about Palestinian residents of 48 - those who live in areas annexed by Israel in 1948. He is also co-founder and manager of the first ever “Palestine Music Expo” – an event that connects the local Palestinian music scene to the worldwide industry. Sarah Friedland is a filmmaker and artist rooted in creative nonfiction. She is also an educator and the Director of the John B. Moore Documentary Collaborative at Skidmore College. Sarah was named one of the “Top 10 Independent Filmmakers to Watch” by the Independent Magazine. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 26 May: 9pm) Gazelleband present the music of Palestine and beyond through the medium of traditional string instruments, the oud and buzuq. Led by Gazan oud player Reem Anbar and Irish-Mancunian music researcher Louis Brehony, the group perform internationally at concerts halls, festivals, universities and solidarity gatherings. The only Scotland date in their worldwide tour, this Gazelleband performance features a new set of improvised and traditional tunes, blended with Palestinian storytelling. The musical performance will be preceded by a reading by Bayan Haddad. What does it mean to write in times of emergency? Writers from Gaza are living, witnessing and documenting the genocide as it unfolds. How can we amplify their voices? What is the role of the reader? Hear a reading of voices from Gaza and discussion of meaningful interventions to actualise their messages. ~~~~~ Reem Anbar was raised in Gaza. She rose to prominence in the early 2000s with an affinity for tarab - the ecstatic traditions of Arab regional music - and the Palestinian heritage of song. Reem absorbed the lessons of older generations of oud players and forged her own path as a self-taught player. By the time she left Palestine in 2017, Reem was appearing regularly on Palestinian and Arabic TV, at concerts, and working as a music therapist and teacher in Gaza’s refugee camps. She has since gone on to become an international performer. Louis Brehony is a musician, activist, researcher and educator. He is author of the book Palestinian Music in Exile: Voices of Resistance (2023), editor of Ghassan Kanafani: Selected Political Writings (2024), and director of the award-winning film Kofia: A Revolution Through Music (2021). He writes regularly on Palestine and political culture and performs internationally as a buzuq player and guitarist. Bayan Haddad is a Palestinian scholar and an instructor of English literature at Birzeit University. She is the George Antonius Birzeit Visiting Fellow for 2024 and researches fiction from Palestine and Northern Ireland in light of trauma studies. ~~~~~ Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to Edinburgh and Highland audiences. Palestinians are often summed up as an ‘occupied people,’ and spoken for, though they have their own stories to tell. Using cinema as a tool of resistance the festival strives to decolonize the narrative and equip audiences with historical context. There is a desire to build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture through cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums. Scotland’s exposure to Palestinian society, art, culture, and humanity altogether remains rather limited. FFF hopes to fill this gap, using both classical and contemporary cinema primarily but not exclusively. They strive to highlight Palestinian steadfast resistance, cultural preservation, stories of love, and in the words of poet Rafeef Ziadah, teachings of life. In so doing, they offer a refreshing portrayal that encompasses the geographic, linguistic, and experiential diversity of the Palestinian people globally. Visit their website falastinfilmfest.com or follow them on social media @falastinfilmfest.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Tue 28 - Thu 30 May) Based on a true story, The Yellow Canary is a leap into the imagination of a young boy as he attempts to escape the horrors of war, exploring love, loss, and what it means to flee your home. Performance-maker Tashi Gore uncovers the real-life journey her uncle Bernard took as a young Jewish boy, forced to leave his home city of Paris with just his parents and his pet canary for company. Combining live storytelling, testimony, and digital animation, The Yellow Canary brings together visual theatre expert Ross MacKay, playwright Will Gore, and director Jess Thorpe in a compelling and timely performance. Book Tickets ~~~~~~~~~~ The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival is back for 2024, featuring 14 productions from 9 countries for children to discover. This year’s Festival opens with Family Encounters on Saturday 25 May, a day of free pop-up performances and interactive activities at the National Museum of Scotland. The Festival then runs until Sunday 2 June, with a jam-packed programme of circus, dance, storytelling and theatre for young people and their families. Featuring a Spotlight on Catalonia and two brand new works by Scottish companies, this year’s Festival once again pushes boundaries, exploring the highs and lows of the human condition, while always considering the perspective and viewpoint of the child. From intimate sensory works for babies, to circus shows and promenade performances, from exploration of our consumerist behaviour to racial discrimination, there truly is something for everyone. More Info
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 31 May: 6pm) Tha Bothan 21 bliadhna a dh'aois! Cha ghabh e creidsinn! As dhèidh seisean ciùil againn san fheasgar, bidh sgeulachdan againn bhon rannsaiche Uibhisteach Curstaidh Dhòmhnallach, agus bidh cèilidh thraidiseanta againn, le dannsa traidiseanta, bho chòmhlan òg Gàidhlig West Loch Ceilidh Band. Edinburgh’s Gaelic Language Music and Culture Club, Bothan Dhùn Èideann, is celebrating its 21st Anniversary. Please come along for an excellent evening of stories, songs, music and dance with music by the West Loch Ceilidh Band. The event is in Gaelic.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Fri 31 May: 7:30pm) Some stories can make you weep, provoke fits of pique or leave you pondering the mysteries of the universe... But these are not those! Join Franziska Droll for jests, jokes and japes - lighthearted tales to make you sing, clap and laugh out loud. You're guaranteed to leave with a skip in your step. Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling club held upstairs in the Waverley Bar, with the usual open-floor section for anyone to share a story, song or poem around the theme or otherwise. Hosted by Joanne Marr. Franziska Droll was born and bred in the Black Forest, Germany, and moved to Scotland after falling in love with the country and the people. She loves to tell traditional Scottish stories as well as tales from her homeland and myths and legends from all around the world. Her style is interactive and entertaining, and a story is often accompanied by a song and sometimes together with the sound of her ukulele or moon drum. No story is like the other, but they will all leave you with a smile.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
The Waverley Bar
(Sat 1 Jun: 6:30pm) Cleaner and single-mum Moira lets rip about her neighbour’s dug, blasting oot Diana Ross at the Scotia karaoke night, watching Scotland get gubbed (again), dealing with cheeky c**ts on the train, cleaning posh folks’ hooses, and, of course, surviving lockdown with only vodka, fags and her long-suffering BFF Babs for company. Alan Bissett performs the complete, hilarious story of Falkirk’s Hardest Woman Moira Bell in ‘three modern classics of Scottish theatre’ (The National). Bringing together The Moira Monologues (2009), 2017’s Fringe First winner More Moira Monologues and the 2022 finale Moira in Lockdown, this nae-messin' heroine finally has her say IN FULL. “A near-perfect series of monologues, howlingly funny and unnervingly sharp and poetic. The most charismatic character to appear on a Scottish stage in a decade.” ★★★★★ (Scotsman) “Such a riot my ears popped a couple of times from the row behind me shouting with laughter.” ★★★★★ (The National) “Welcome back, Moira. We missed you.” ★★★★★ (Broadway Baby) “Heart-stoppingly funny, and heart-warming. Storytelling perfection.” ★★★★★ (The QR) “Great hilarity, simple truths and some profound moments too: it’s no wonder Moira has such a loyal following.” ★★★★ (The List)
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 9 Jun: 2pm) Set sail on Easy Sunday, all hands-on deck! Join us in the warm and welcoming Storytelling Court for a fun opportunity to learn some Sea Shanties, the history of seafaring songs, and the traditions and nature of maritime language. Then have fun singing some rousing choruses as a group (no singing skills required!). Led by traditional Scots singer Joss Cameron, whose energy and enthusiasm will have you engaged and singing in rhythm long after the event ends. Open to all, especially those interested in becoming a shanty singer! ~~~~~~~~~~~ This event is part of Easy Sundays, a monthly session of stories, music, community and friendship, where a warm welcome awaits with a variety of activities for all the family to enjoy. So come find a space to relax amongst friends, old and new. ~~~~~~~~~~ Supported by the Thrive Network alongside the Scottish Storytelling Centre to create a warm and welcoming space for the community.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Thu 13 June: 7:30pm) Welcome to Queer Folks’ Tales, our hugely popular bi-monthly storytelling series where queer storytellers from a diverse range of backgrounds, ages and cultures around Edinburgh and Scotland share stories of LGBTQ+ lives, past, present and future. Sometimes hilarious, often moving, occasionally shocking, the mix of true and fictional stories across the year is as varied as the range of storytellers we invite. Household names feature alongside new and diverse queer storytellers from the different communities of Scotland. Many of the stories told in the Queer Folks' Tales evenings will be true stories of LGBTQ+ experience in Scotland today. Hosted by Edinburgh’s Turan Ali.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 15 Jun: 11am) Come and learn the songs of Galloway, with Robyn Stapleton. The songs will be taught in unison and harmony, spanning the themes of nature, farming, travel, and love! This workshop is suitable for all levels of singing experience. Multi award-winning singer Robyn Stapleton performs the songs of her Scottish and Irish heritage in the Scots, English and Gaelic languages. She is best known for her deeply emotive performances of traditional song and has collaborated with many of Scotland’s finest instrumentalists and leading ensembles. Accompanied by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, she has performed at Proms in the Park and for the BBC’s Burns Night celebrations.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
George Mackay Brown Library
(Sat 15 Jun: 1:30pm) Suitable for both Gaelic and non-Gaelic speakers, this workshop will focus on Scottish Gaelic songs from the Hebrides and include a diverse selection of material including waulking songs, lullabies and puirt-a-beul (mouth music). Workshop suitable for all abilities and no Gaelic required. Gaelic singer Mischa Macpherson unearthed her love for traditional music and song growing up in the Outer Hebrides. A recipient of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award and MG ALBA Gaelic Singer of the Year, her career has seen her perform across the UK, Europe, Australia, Canada and India, and collaborate with renowned musicians including Carlos Núñez (Galicia), Suraj and Chang Khan (Pakistan) and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
George Mackay Brown Library
(Thu 20 Jun: 7:30pm) Cassandra sits in Apollo’s temple, tears drying on her cheeks, blood caked beneath her fingernails. The ritual fires are burning, incense thick in the air. Her body no longer feels like hers, the ghosts of Apollo's hands heavy on her hips. Her mind is shattering under the weight of a thousand prophecies, always true and never believed. By a Scottish mountainside, a spaewife is thrust under the waves of a loch, her prophecies ringing in the ears of her murderers. Orcadian witch Marian Ibster, put to the pyre, screams out to the sky as her lover watches her burn. A girl scrubs her skin red raw in an Edinburgh flat. She blasts pop music as she daubs climate slogans on cardboard protest placards, ignoring the prophecies whistling on the winds of Auld Reekie. Storyteller Ailsa Dixon invites the audience into the realms of a divinatory prophetic ritual, creating a liminal and transient space. Legends of prophetess and priestess, witch and survivor build bridges across time and space; prophecies, pyres, smoke and tears meld and blend together as Ailsa's personal story melts into the old myths. She explores intimate themes of climate activism, sexual assault, feminism and mental health which bleed together in this deeply personal exploration of what it means to be believed.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 21 Jun-Sun 21 Jul) An exhibition of paintings, poetry, glass, willow and talismanic jewellery created with gratitude for the quiet wisdom and wonder of the Otherworld. Brought to you by the Animus - Art for the World Soul collective, this spell-laden collection of wonderworkings builds a bridge to magic, inviting you to linger a moment in a heartland we've almost forgotten. Featuring Catkin van Hoppe's ethereal watercolours, jewellery inspired by sacred relics from Jesse Ball, illuminated glass by Shen Chökyi and work by Fergus Hall and Julie MacLeod.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Fri 21 Jun: 7:30pm) Don’t miss the next fantastic show from Scotland’s best spoken word night! From the laugh-out-loud funny, through the wonderfully surreal, to the thoughtful and emotional: Loud Poets continues to prove that spoken word offers something for everyone. “Loud Poets is tearing up the landscape, bringing the ancient art to contemporary audiences – spreading mirth, giggles and talent along the way.” - Corr Blimey “Go listen to Loud Poets and hear them say the things you’ve been trying to say yourself.” - Shane Koyczan “There’s a humour, poignancy and most of all confidence which serves to inspire.” - Scotsman This showcase was made possible by funding from Creative Scotland and the National Lottery.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 22 Jun: 11am) Are you thinking of applying for funding for a project but feeling intimidated by the form? Have you applied in the past but not been successful and lost confidence? Perhaps you don't know what's fundable in the first place? This practical workshop led by Ailie Robertson will take you through the process of writing a successful funding application. It aims to cover all aspects of structuring your application and offer tips and advice to ensure that your submissions have every chance of success. The workshop will focus on:• How to talk about yourself and your project• How to strengthen your proposal• How to address Creative Scotland's three strategic priorities and key areas of work• How to think about evaluating and monitoring your project• How to budget, including how to calculate in-kind costs There will also be a discussion section encouraging questions from participants ~~~~~~~~~~ Ailie Robertson has a multi-faceted career combining work as a performer, composer, researcher and educator. She has worked on projects with an array of organisations both in Scotland and Internationally, and enjoys helping other creatives bring their ideas to life.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Fri 28 June: 7:30pm) Join guest storyteller Niall Moorjani for an evening of storytelling where the old stories are rethought in playful and thought-provoking ways. Another fun and friendly session of Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling club held upstairs in the Waverley Bar, with the usual open-floor section for anyone to share a story, song or poem around the theme or otherwise. Hosted by Donald Smith. Niall Moorjani is a non-binary, mixed Scots-Indian writer and storyteller. They are fascinated by the fantastical, the historical, and the liminal and have written and performed many shows, including A Fairie Tale and Mohan: A Partition Story at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Scottish International Storytelling Festival. They are also the founder and host of the Tales at The Tavern open mic story night in London. Niall's work has been described as ‘genius reinvention of the form’ (Fringe of Colour).
Scottish Storytelling Centre
The Waverley Bar
(Wed 3 Jul: 7pm) Join Edinburgh's own Burgh Blatherers for the second of a regular open-floor storytelling night taking place throughout the year, a cosy gathering in the relaxed surroundings of the Storytelling Court with refreshments available from the Haggis Box Café. Hosted by Bob Mitchell and members of Burgh Blatherers storytelling club, who will transport you with their own stories and imaginative weavings while offering you the chance to tell your own tales!
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sun 7 July: 3pm) Estelle models for The Artist. Despite decades of experience, she has never sat for a session like this and with such an outcome, both unexpected and inevitable. LIFE boldly mixes stillness, movement, silence, words and audience participation in creating theatre as art class, art class as theatre. You can join in, or simply watch the story emerge. Join Maria MacDonell (Miss Lindsay's Secret) and Mark Coleman for a work-in-progress performance of this exciting new work. The performance will be followed by a feedback session to which all are invited.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 19 Jul: 7:30pm) Don’t miss the next fantastic show from Scotland’s best spoken word night! From the laugh-out-loud funny, through the wonderfully surreal, to the thoughtful and emotional: Loud Poets continues to prove that spoken word offers something for everyone. “Loud Poets is tearing up the landscape, bringing the ancient art to contemporary audiences – spreading mirth, giggles and talent along the way.” - Corr Blimey “Go listen to Loud Poets and hear them say the things you’ve been trying to say yourself.” - Shane Koyczan “There’s a humour, poignancy and most of all confidence which serves to inspire.” - Scotsman This showcase was made possible by funding from Creative Scotland and the National Lottery.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 26 July: 7:30pm) The Guid Crack Club is being commandeered for one night only by Glasgow's own Village Storytelling Centre. Come join a raggle-taggle bunch of fresh voices as they take flight into a world of stories to make us soar. As always, bring a story to tell, a song to sing or anything else that can make our hearts fly and our lips quiver! This session will be led by storyteller Daniel Serridge with guests from the Village Storytelling Centre’s emerging storyteller scene. Daniel Serridge is a storyteller, community artist and facilitator who creates vibrant and exciting projects for all ages and abilities. Based at the Village Storytelling Centre in Glasgow, he tells stories and helps people to tell theirs, supporting everyone to see their experiences as pieces of artwork waiting to be told. His performance Orpheus | Orfeo was a highlight of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2023.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
The Waverley Bar
(Sat 31 Aug: 10:30am) 'I can see them standing on the other side of the flames, speaking in the voices of lions, or thunder, or monsters, or heroes, heroines, or the earth, or fire itself -- for they had to contain all voices within them, had to be all things and nothing.' (Ben Okri - A Way of Being Free) How can the body be both a tool for investigating a story, and a means of communicating with an audience? This workshop led by Jo Blake will empower you to connect with your audience through movement and voice to progress your skills and confidence. All bodies welcome in a creative and supportive environment, with an emphasis on exploration and curiosity. Please come with a story in mind that you feel happy to work with. Jo Blake is a performer, director, facilitator, teacher and curator whose performance practice sits at the intersection of storytelling, dance and theatre. She had a PhD in Emergent Storytelling Practices and is curious about the transformative power of embodied myth and acts of narration as cultural therapeutics. ~~~~~~~~~~ Pay it Forward If you are willing and able to donate a workshop place to another person, you now can! Click the button above and select the ticket price to donate. We will then be able to offer a free place to someone who would not have been able to attend otherwise. If you feel the Pay It Forward scheme would benefit you and would like to request a free ticket please email our Reception Team where you will be allocated a ticket if available. We hold 1 space per workshop for Pay It Forward requests.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Sat 21 Sep: 11am) In this workshop Katch will teach you how to arrange a live tour to perform and promote your music, with special focus on how musicians who may be just starting out or don't have representation can build festival and venue contacts, approach promoters, negotiate fees, advance their shows and promote their tour. The workshop will include breakouts for discussion and Q&A about the aspects of touring of the most interest to you. Katch Holmes has worked in the music industry in Scotland for 25 years. She has represented artists, commissioned new music, produced residencies and promoted gigs with folk and crossover music acts through her company Off Site Productions. She organises Knockengorroch roots music festival in Dumfries and Galloway. She sat on WOMEX selection panels in 2021 and 2017 and is a Relational Dynamics business coach working with professional creatives.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Wed 2 Oct: 7pm) Join Edinburgh's own Burgh Blatherers for the second of a regular open-floor storytelling night taking place throughout the year, a cosy gathering in the relaxed surroundings of the Storytelling Court with refreshments available from the Haggis Box Café. Hosted by Bob Mitchell and members of Burgh Blatherers storytelling club, who will transport you with their own stories and imaginative weavings while offering you the chance to tell your own tales!
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sat 16 Nov: 10:30am) A hands-on, practical introduction to live storytelling and the associated skills. Storyteller Janis Mackay leads this participatory session for anyone curious about discovering and developing their own storytelling talent. Let out your inner storyteller and learn to craft your skills. For new and aspiring storytellers. Janis Mackay is an award-winning storyteller and author based in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she also teaches creative writing. She is the author of The Fairy Song, The Selkie Girl, and the Magnus Fin and Accidental Time Traveller trilogies. Janis also facilitates the Scottish Storytelling Forum's Apprentice Storyteller programme. ~~~~~~~~~~ Our participatory sessions are designed to help you improve your skills and share your experiences with fellow storytelling enthusiasts. This carefully curated workshop programme offers you the chance to work with highly-skilled and experienced artists, giving you guidance on improving your practice and discovering your own talent. Did you know? Members of the Scottish Storytelling Forum are entitled to discounted rates on our storytelling workshops. For more information on memberships please visit the Storytelling Forum website. ~~~~~~~~~~ Pay it Forward If you are willing and able to donate a workshop place to another person, you now can! Click the button above and select the ticket price to donate. We will then be able to offer a free place to someone who would not have been able to attend otherwise. If you feel the Pay It Forward scheme would benefit you and would like to request a free ticket please email our Reception Team where you will be allocated a ticket if available. We hold 1 space per workshop for Pay It Forward requests.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Online On-Demand) Another Story is a new podcast series exploring some of the themes featured in this year’s Festival. Tune in to hear some wonderful storytellers share their favourite tales and chat about storytelling in Scotland and beyond. So settle down, or speed on up, to join us for another story… Available wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple, Google and Amazon. Follow us by liking and subscribing so you don’t miss an episode! Listen Here
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Online SISF
Explore Edinburgh as a city by the sea by enjoying this specially created story film. Follow the coastline from Fisherrow, on the boundary with East Lothian, to South Queensferry. A trail of harbours and wildlife havens that glimmers with stories from folklore, history and ecology. Devised by the SISF with storytellers Beverley Casebow, Douglas Mackay, Janis Mackay, Linda Perttula, Nicola Wright and Donald Smith, with music by Kenneth Linklater and the Bowling Ceilidh Band. Produced in support of the Forth Rivers Trust and Restoration Forth, Blue City: A Storytelling Journey along Edinburgh's Coastline is free to access. This film will be available on YouTube from Fri 14 Oct. View the film ~~~~~~~~~~ Over the past two years we have enjoyed being part of a fantastic online storytelling community across the world. We would love to further connect with you in our digital storytelling and development sessions, so whether you are based in Scotland, or further afield, let’s keep that fire lit on our global platforms. ~~~~~~~~~~ In Scotland’s Year of Stories, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Keep It Lit invites everyone to the ceilidh; locally, nationally and globally. At the core of Scotland’s culture and identity is the hospitable hearth - a place of solidarity and welcome for friend and stranger alike. Round that symbolic fire, experiences and memories are shared and hope affirmed.
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Online SISF
Green City: Healing and Hope is a new storytelling film exploring the grassroots movement to turn Edinburgh green. The struggle for net zero will be won or lost in cities, so how is Edinburgh doing after 900 years as a burgh? Hear directly from people and places who think global and act local. Green City is a companion piece to Blue City (2022), which explored Edinburgh as a city by the sea. Narrated by Donald Smith, with contributions from fellow storytellers and activists. Co-Directed by Sandy McGhie (Channel 7A) & Donald Smith. Produced by the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, Green City: Healing and Hope will be free to access from Friday 16th February 2024. View the film
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Online SISF
Enjoy several multimedia storytelling performances filmed live in the Scottish Storytelling Centre's Netherbow Theatre in October 2022, where a world of local Scottish stories unfolds through the live voices of traditional storytellers and site-specific film footage of the landscapes they emerge from. Featuring stories from Dumfries and Galloway, the North East, Orkney, the Outer Hebrides and Perth and Kinross. ~~~~~~~~~~ These live performances were part of Tales, Tongues and Trails, a celebration of regional and international language, landscape and identities for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2022. Map of Stories YouTube playlist of all five Film Ceilidhs Scottish International Storytelling Festival Live filming by Sandy McGhie (Channel 7A). ~~~~~~~~~~ Map of Stories is a collaboration between Transgressive North, Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland and Rectangle Design, supported by Creative Scotland and EventScotland as part of Scotland's Year of Stories 2022.
Scottish Storytelling Centre Online
Online
Enjoy several multimedia storytelling performances filmed live in the Scottish Storytelling Centre's Netherbow Theatre in October 2022, where a world of local Scottish stories unfolds through the live voices of traditional storytellers and site-specific film footage of the landscapes they emerge from. Featuring stories from Dumfries and Galloway, the North East, Orkney, the Outer Hebrides and Perth and Kinross. ~~~~~~~~~~ These live performances were part of Tales, Tongues and Trails, a celebration of regional and international language, landscape and identities for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2022. Map of Stories YouTube playlist of all five Film Ceilidhs Scottish International Storytelling Festival Live filming by Sandy McGhie (Channel 7A). ~~~~~~~~~~ Map of Stories is a collaboration between Transgressive North, Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland and Rectangle Design, supported by Creative Scotland and EventScotland as part of Scotland's Year of Stories 2022.
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Online SISF
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