Basket: £0.00
Basket: £0.00
(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
(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
(Wed 8 May: 7:30pm) Emily Dickinson's enigmatic and brilliant poetry was largely unread and unpublished during her lifetime, but she is now considered one of America's greatest and most original poets.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
(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
(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
(Fri 3 May: 6pm) Join us in celebration to launch FISHING, our May exhibition with an early evening session of songs from harmony singers Tripple. Hailing from the northeast of Scotland, Tripple are mother Jill and siblings Cit and Annie who create contemporary arrangements of traditional songs with innovative and exciting harmonies, predominantly in Doric (northeast Scots). The exhibition and songs will highlight the living heritage of fishing communities on Scotland's east coast.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sat 4 May: 11am) A chance to hear from artist Stephanïe Vandëm, whose exhibition FISHING imaginatively combines oil painting and mixed media materials salvaged from the shoreline to creatively evoke the linkages between the communities of the North East of Scotland and their fishing heritage. Drop in for a chat and immerse yourself in the exhibition.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sun 5 May: 1:30pm & 3pm) 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
(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
(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.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(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
(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
(Sun 5 May: 11:30am) Artists, performers and culture workers of all kinds are called to join Tradfest musicians and mummers on the Edinburgh and Lothians May Day procession. Gather at 11.30am at Johnston Terrace by Edinburgh Castle for a 12pm departure down the High Street to The Pleasance, where there will be a rally, music and stalls. Greenery and instruments welcome!
Scottish Storytelling Centre
External Venue
(Sun 5 May: 10am) Join the Family Beltane crew and friends from the Storytelling Festival and the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland for a morning of mask decoration, crafting and face painting ahead of the May Day Parade. Fun for all the family, please come in Mummers costume if desired! Afterwards, all are welcome to join the May Day Parade (meeting at Johnstone Terrace at 11.30am), or watch and enjoy as it passes down the High Street.
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. Funded by Arts Council Wales.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 4 May: 7:30pm) This is a show about Scotland’s land: about its rocks and mud, what it’s grown, what lives it’s sustained, how it’s been bought, fought for and wounded. Through powerful and playful storytelling and traditional song, Shona Cowie, Neil Sutcliffe and dramaturg Liam Hurley explore the layers of history on which we stand today, piling up to create a performance as radical as it is entertaining. ~~~~~~~~~~ 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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(Fri 3 May: 6pm) Join us in celebration to launch FISHING, our May exhibition with an early evening session of songs from harmony singers Tripple. Hailing from the northeast of Scotland, Tripple are mother Jill and siblings Cit and Annie who create contemporary arrangements of traditional songs with innovative and exciting harmonies, predominantly in Doric (northeast Scots). The exhibition and songs will highlight the living heritage of fishing communities on Scotland's east coast.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sat 4 May: 11am) A chance to hear from artist Stephanïe Vandëm, whose exhibition FISHING imaginatively combines oil painting and mixed media materials salvaged from the shoreline to creatively evoke the linkages between the communities of the North East of Scotland and their fishing heritage. Drop in for a chat and immerse yourself in the exhibition.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sun 5 May: 1:30pm & 3pm) 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
(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
(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.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(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
(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
(Sun 5 May: 11:30am) Artists, performers and culture workers of all kinds are called to join Tradfest musicians and mummers on the Edinburgh and Lothians May Day procession. Gather at 11.30am at Johnston Terrace by Edinburgh Castle for a 12pm departure down the High Street to The Pleasance, where there will be a rally, music and stalls. Greenery and instruments welcome!
Scottish Storytelling Centre
External Venue
(Sun 5 May: 10am) Join the Family Beltane crew and friends from the Storytelling Festival and the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland for a morning of mask decoration, crafting and face painting ahead of the May Day Parade. Fun for all the family, please come in Mummers costume if desired! Afterwards, all are welcome to join the May Day Parade (meeting at Johnstone Terrace at 11.30am), or watch and enjoy as it passes down the High Street.
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. Funded by Arts Council Wales.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 4 May: 7:30pm) This is a show about Scotland’s land: about its rocks and mud, what it’s grown, what lives it’s sustained, how it’s been bought, fought for and wounded. Through powerful and playful storytelling and traditional song, Shona Cowie, Neil Sutcliffe and dramaturg Liam Hurley explore the layers of history on which we stand today, piling up to create a performance as radical as it is entertaining. ~~~~~~~~~~ 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
(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
(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
(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
(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
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