Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Running from Friday 21 to Sunday 30 October, there is a cornucopia of events for children and adults in a host of venues in and around Edinburgh. It's a chance to hear the best stories and storytellers, be part of a ceilidh atmosphere, experience the skills and tell your own stories.
What though is the magic and enduring appeal of Fairytales, particularly those rooted in folk memories? According to Tolkien it is their power to transform life by imagination, their realisation of dreams and desires. Perhaps above all it's their essential moments of release, escape, reconciliation and so of joy. Life is not and never was an easy passage, but our need for happy endings is keener than ever.
Scots, Gaelic and Traveller traditions are rich in fairy tales, but alongside these, Middle Eastern stories and the fairy tale legacy of Hans Christian Anderson will be explored. The first weekend, 21 to 23 October, features Egyptian storyteller Chirine El Ansary, Shai Schwartz from Israel and Palestinian musician George Yousef Samaan. From the Arabian Nights to Jewish folktale this promises to be a magic carpet experience building on previous Middle Eastern exchanges.
Hans Christian Andersen of course is a master of the literary fairy tale. What happens when a complex artist harnesses folk tale magic to their own often tragic experience? In Andersen's case it goes on further because his tales have become part of new folk traditions. What also is the role of illustrators in these transformations?
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The Festival's second weekend, 28 to 30 October, majors on Scottish traditions and on the Feast of Samhain or All Hallows Eve. Highland and Traveller storytellers feature along with the urban tale tellers of Glasgow. Hallowe'en was originally the Celtic New Year - a time of merrymaking and inner renewal. As they say at the Scottish Storytelling Festival, why spoil a good party? |
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National Tell a Story Day will take place on Friday 28 October, as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival. Last year, over 7000 people took part in events in libraries, schools and venues across the country.
National Tell a Story Day is even more special this year, because it is the 200th anniversary of the birth of the great storyteller, Hans Christian Andersen and many events will be taking place. Do you remember The Ugly Duckling, The Princess and the Pea and The Emperor's New Clothes? Storyteller Gerry Durkin will be telling these tales and many more at the Corran Halls in Oban. Why not dress up as your favourite character from a Hans Christian Andersen story and see if Gerry can tell the story your character is in? This event is suitable for 8-12 year olds - for more information about this and many other events that will be taking place, please visit our events area.
National Tell-A-Story Day is an opportunity to organise your own event, and concoct your own magic recipe - folk and fairy, traditional and contemporary, young and old. Publicity support and national listings are available from the Scottish Storytelling Centre. Stories are for everyone, so get your community, school or family involved.
For further information, please contact:
The Scottish Storytelling Centre
43-45 High Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1SR
Telephone 0131 557 5724 |