17th International Scottish Storytelling Festival

Across the water to an inspiring capital

Running for a record 12 days between 25 October and 5 November 2006, the 17th Scottish International Storytelling Festival provides a myriad of opportunities to revel in live oral traditions and to experience a vibrant, contemporary artform.

Across the water

This year the Festival embraces the richness and diversity of Scottish and Irish traditions in music, song, dance and storytelling as Irish storytellers are welcomed from across the water into a uniquely Scottish ceilidh atmosphere. Gaelic languages and shared roots are the starting point for events ranging from lively performance storytelling to still, reflective moments which celebrate the power and purity of a single voice. Visual art also plays a role, with another chance to see some of Scottish artist Calum Colvin’s Ossian series at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

Inspiring capital

The brand new 'house of stories' on the Royal Mile will be the focus of this year's Festival, becoming a lively hub and a first port-of-call for events taking place with partner organisations all over Edinburgh.

The Festival will draw on the idea of Edinburgh as an ‘inspiring capital’ – a place of historical intrigue and modern magic and a city that enthuses and challenges those who live in and visit it. Like the city, this theme offers plenty of angles for reinterpreting the potential of storytelling in different contexts and for different people.

Discover storytelling

There’ll be opportunities to satisfy your curiosity about storytelling and to hone your skills as a professional storyteller through an especially extended programme of workshops, training and seminar events. The schools outreach programme will build on the success of previous years to provide children all over Edinburgh with the chance to experience live storytelling and to work with a real live storyteller.

Tell a Story Day

Get involved by registering your own storytelling event and telling your own story – be it a grand epic or an entertaining snippet.

The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2006 is for children, adults, listeners, tellers, artists, amateurs and professionals – for those who’ve experienced storytelling and especially for everyone who hasn’t. It’s about coming together for a joyful celebration of the differences we share.

For more information on the International Scottish Storytelling Festival, please visit the Scottish Storytelling Centre website.