AN audio series is being launched to explore new Scottish and world poetry, with The Lantern Poetry Podcast set to make its debut.
The podcast is being led by The Scottish Poetry Library, Scotland’s national poet Kathleen Jamie, host Alistair Heather and BeSpoken Media, and is aiming to make the country’s poetry scene accessible to worldwide audiences via the podcast medium.
Scots, Gaelic and English poets will regularly feature on the show as each episode will include a guest drawn from a completely different tradition or background.
Listeners will also be encouraged to suggest poets and themes for future episodes.
Podcast host and Scots writer Heather (below) said: “There is need for a new platform for Scotland’s vibrant poetry scene.
“We will develop a podcast with a video element that will provide space for new and emergent poets to appear and share work alongside established names.
“In collaboration with the Scottish Poetry Library and award-winning radio producer Dave Howard, we will bring forward new writing and fresh performances of poetry that speaks directly to our era of climate crisis, the cost of living crisis, financial crashes, domestic abuse, poverty, war, gender politics, travel, family and physical and mental health.”
The project is one of 46 that is receiving a total of £952,603 of funding from the National Lottery in the latest round of Creative Scotland’s Open Fund awards.
Creative Scotland supports creative industries across Scotland and distributes funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery.
Other projects receiving the funding include:
• Sweet Spot – a site-specific photography project taking place in the windows of empty shop units in Arbroath from Adam Geary.
• A programme celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Glasgow Zine Library and tenth anniversary of Glasgow Zine Fest.
• Fablevision’s Woven in Renfrewshire – a year-long artist residency programme gathering the stories of Renfrewshire women who are carers both formally in a health and social care setting and informally, within their families and communities.
• Oh Horror: Examining Scotland’s Scary Roots – a new work by freelance writer and blogger Dawn Geddes examining how Scotland’s landscape, history, ghost stories and folklore has inspired generations of writers.
The interim deputy director of arts and engagement of Creative Scotland, Paul Burns, said: “Once again we see an inspiring collection of Open Fund projects, led by some great creative individuals and organisations.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, who raise over £30 million for good causes across the UK every week, these projects will continue to create opportunities for people across Scotland to experience a rich tapestry of arts and culture.”
The podcast will be availbale to listen to in early 2023 on the Scottish Poetry Library website.
