Book in to hear some intriguing stories in strath as part of international festival
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival is inviting audiences to pull up a seat or take a gentle forest stroll as part of events booked for the strath.
It is the largest festival of its kind in the world and this year the theme is ‘Bridges Between’, celebrating the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Storytellers, musicians and artists will be marking the historic occasion by sharing stories that can build bridges between cultures, artists and audiences through the power of storytelling.
Kicking off events on Sunday (October 6) in Aviemore is storyteller Sarah Hobbs with ‘Stories of the Land: Palestine & Scotland’.
The event entails a gentle walk through the forest to share folktales woven with Arabic and Gaelic that explore the power of stories to bring people together in hope.
Then Grantown-based folk musician Hamish Napier and Kincraig writer Merryn Glover will join special guest Gauri Raje next Tuesday (October 8) in Kincraig for an early and late Storyland Session where audiences are invited to join in and share music, stories, poetry, dance, or songs of their choice.
Elsewhere in the region in Brora and Tain, poet and storyteller Lynsey Gilmour retells Beyond the Gizzen Briggs, one of the Highlands’ favourite tales.
Storyteller Lizzie McDougall and musicians Siannie Moodie and Nick Jenkins will be sharing local tales, tunes and folklore inspired by the textile art of The Highland StoryQuilts in Beauly and Tain.
The festival’s Go Local programme includes more than 50 events taking place all over Scotland between October and November and is supported by Creative Scotland through its PLACE (Platforms for Creative Excellence) programme.
Events take place in village halls, pubs, castles and gardens, where storytellers will share stories about building bridges between cultures, artists and audiences through the power of storytelling.
Lovers of a good story can also tune into the Festival’s podcast series Another Story - which will feature some of this year’s festival storytellers as guests in the lead up to, and during the festival.
Festival director Donald Smith said: “In a world plagued by violence and division, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival offers bridges of imagination, fellow feeling and hope.”
For tickets and more information visit www.sisf.org.uk
Connect with the festival on social media @ScotStoryFest #BridgesBetween
Go Local storytelling events in the strath
Sunday 6 Oct, 10am Stories of the Land: Palestine & Scotland, Badaguish carpark, near Glenmore, (2hrs) Free, ticketed, all ages. Booking and info www.storywalks.scot
Tue 8 Oct, 6pm, 8pm: Storylands Sessions, Kincraig Church Hall. Early Show (1hr) pay what you can, all ages. Late show (2hrs 30) pay what you can, all ages. Booking and details at www.badenochstorylands.com
