Over the course of the year, An Lanntair Arts Centre in Stornoway has created and delivered a series of diverse events to celebrate Scotland’s Year of Stories. These have included community storytelling workshops, the creation of a short film series highlighting stories from residents all over the island, and a brand new and completely unique short story festival (with an audience featuring real life alpacas) inspired by Hebridean author Kevin MacNeil’s highly original novel The Brilliant and Forever.
As the year draws to a close, An Lanntair is now getting ready to showcase the specially commissioned work produced for the project by author Professor Frank Rennie, marine sculptor Sam Macdonald and songwriter Colin Macleod, inspired by Hebridean tales and legends. This special Year of Stories weekend of events will include a special screening of the short films created throughout the year together with a dynamic audio-visual exhibition and series of fascinating talks by the commissioned artists, exploring the stories and inspiration behind the artwork created.
Alex Macdonald, An Lanntair’s Head of Performing Arts, explains, “An important element of Scotland’s Year of Stories has been to highlight environmental issues, and these commissioned pieces combine ancient and modern tales in the most innovative ways. The respective moorland journeys undertaken by the artists have resulted in thought provoking new artwork, film, writing and music, which will be discussed in a series of talks during our weekend of activities. In addition, the work they produced will be displayed in our building throughout December.”
The weekend begins with a screening of brand-new documentary film Dùthchas on Wednesday 30th November, which uses rare archive footage filmed on the island of Berneray during the 60s and 70s to show the bridge between the present and the past. Professor Rennie’s film screening and talk takes place on Thursday 1st December and on Friday 2nd Colin Macleod and Sam Macdonald will be ‘in conversation with’ project coordinator Alex Macdonald. The series of events end on Saturday 3rd with a family ceilidh bringing together all ages in a final celebration.”
Alex adds, “Ultimately we hope the weekend offers the opportunity to celebrate Scotland’s Year of Stories, so we finish off the weekend with a traditional family ceilidh, where people of all ages can gather together for a dance and, of course, a to tell a story or two.”
Full details of An Lanntair’s Year of Stories events can be accessed at www.lanntair.com/seanchas
