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Let me tell you a story
30/09/2009
Storytellers from the indigenous and contemporary cultures of North America, Australia and New Zealand are to join their Scottish counterparts in an international festival in the Year of Homecoming.
The Scottish Government's Edinburgh Festival Expo Fund has awarded £34,000 to this year's Scottish International Storytelling Festival to explore stories and histories of belonging, identity, migration and exploration through the ancient art of storytelling.
The Festival, now in its 20th year, runs for 10 days from October 23 and will feature events ranging from performances, lively talks and discussions, family events and storytelling skills workshops.
Culture Minister Michael Russell said:
"Scotland has a vibrant tradition of storytelling and as one of our oldest arts forms it is a great way to preserve, celebrate and educate people about Scotland's rich culture and heritage.
"I'm delighted that Expo funding is supporting the Storytelling Festival as it embraces the year of Homecoming by exploring the rich and complex idea of a 'homeland'. This year's Festival will bring Scottish storytellers together with those from the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia amongst others for a celebration of lives and cultures."
Donald Smith, Director of the Storytelling Festival, said:
"The Storytelling Festival is about authentic voices, their stories and songs, gathered round the hearth of Scotland. It's about Scotland taking her full place in the human family by hospitably hosting others. It's about celebrating home there and here, connected through journey, migration or cultural exchange, and by our common homeland the earth."