Women Making Waves in festival’s 20th year

DUNDEE: Fortnight of events covering Stem, rowing, comedy, art, film and so much more

A “diverse” programme of events for Dundee Women’s Festival has been unveiled ahead of the extravaganza’s 20th anniversary.

Beginning on February 29, a fortnight of events will include arts and crafts workshops, Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics sectors) discussions, child-friendly sessions and a rowing expedition on the Tay.

There will also be comedy, film, art, history and international food and dance events.

Meanwhile a more sombre series of talks and debates will address issues such as reproductive loss, mental health, domestic abuse and learning difficulties.

One of the keynote speakers will be Christina Mckelvie, Scottish equalities minister, who will deliver the opening address.

This year’s theme is Women Making Waves, celebrating the achievements of Dundee women of the past and present in a variety of fields.

Festival committee chairwoman Prue Watson said: “We usually get about

“There are hands-on workshops, talks, rowing, a silent disco, music, comedy – you name it.

PRUE WATSON

3,000 people coming to the festival and we are hoping to get more this year.

“We’re in the process of giving out 5,000 programmes.

“Like always, we’re putting on a diverse range of events to appeal to families, older people, anyone really.

“There are hands-on workshops, talks, rowing, a silent disco, music, comedy – you name it.”

Between February 29 and March 14 there will be a total of 75 events in venues across Dundee.

Prue said that this year there would be more Stem events than usual because the committee has taken over the running of the Women’s Science Festival.

She added: “There are lots of new things this year.

“We’re partially sponsored by Dundee City Council and now we’re also getting funding from the Wellcome Trust through Dundee University.

“We’d like to acknowledge that help – funding is always a problem for us because there are quite a few costs to putting on this festival.

“There are only five of us on the board.”

Dundee Women’s Festival has grown over the past 20 years, from humble beginnings as just a handful of celebrations at community centres for International Women’s Day on March 8 to a major event on the city calendar.

Programmes are available from libraries, community centres and other venues throughout Dundee, or from the festival’s website, dundeewomensfestival.org.uk

Prue Watson, chairwoman of the Dundee Women’s Festival committee.