Tell me a story

Cultural festival turns new page in year-long programme of events

THERE ARE MORE than 60 events planned for this year as part of the Year of Stories 2022. These include book festivals, a musical programme, beloved cartoon characters and a new fresh look at Scottish culture and heritage.

The programme is Scotland-wide, with some Edinburgh based events taking place in the summer including:

Edinburgh International Film Festival which will bring Scotland's Stories On Screen to exciting places and spaces

Edinburgh International Book Festival which presents Scotland's Stories Now – proving everyone has a story to tell with tales gathered from across the country and then shared at the flagship event.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh will host a journey of stories inspired by plant life.

The Scottish Storytelling Centre and Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust present Figures of Speech. This will allow prominent figures to reimagine our most important stories, sparking new dialogues.

Edinburgh Festival Carnival will showcase the cultural heritage and migration stories of their community partners through the creation of new costumes and choreographed dances. Involving participants from four diverse ethnic communities – including those with Indian, Latin American and Caribbean heritage – these joyful and celebratory carnival stories will be performed at four local community parades and the annual city centre celebration. The community carnivals are planned for

Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre, Links Gardens, the Garden of Reflection, Tranent, Whale Arts and Edinburgh Festival Carnival on Princes Street.

In Traditional Tales for Tiny People early years children and families will be treated to participatory storytelling and live music events, featuring some of Scotland's finest emerging talent at Holy Cross Church, Quality Street, Davidson's Mains.

Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “2022 is the year we celebrate Scotland's Year of Stories. Storytelling and celebrating our unique oral history tradition has never been more important as we continue to respond to the impacts of the pandemic.

“We must ensure our Scotland's stories are preserved and celebrated. 2022 will have something for everyone from some of the biggest cultural events of the year taking place at the Edinburgh festivals, to small community festivals in our towns and villages.

“I'm looking forward to celebrating the very best in Scottish storytelling talent throughout 2022 - which will be absolutely vital to our continued culture recovery.”

Scotland's Year of Stories 2022 will begin on 1 January and run until 31 December.

www.visitscotland.com/year-of-stories Join the conversation #YS2022 and #TalesOfScotland