The 2022 Soutar Festival of Words has revealed an exciting cultural programme that will see Scots language celebrated in Perth this Easter.
The festival is back to celebrate the diversity of Scots language, literature and culture inspired by Perth poet and writer William Soutar.
The festival kicks off on April 22 and brings together an exciting line-up of authors, playwrights, musicians, poets and performers.
Scots Makar Kathleen Jamie will discuss Scots language with TV presenter and newspaper columnist Ally Heather.
There’s a visit from the Witches of Scotland - Zoe Venditozzi and Claire Mitchell who are seeking a legal pardon, an apology and a national monument for the thousands of people convicted of witchcraft and executed.
Top-selling crime writer, Chris Brookmyre is speaking about his latest book.
A performance by the Scots Opera Project of operatic arias, duets and scenes in the Scots Language, will carefully be woven together with classical song settings of William Soutar’s poetry. This unique concert will be performed by soprano Colleen Nicoll.
Perthshire author Linda Cracknell will discuss the inspiration for her latest novel The Other Side of the Stone, that reflects the lives connected to a Perthshire woollen mill over 200 years.
The Raise the Roof project will run a workshop at Perth Museum and Art Gallery on finding the hidden stories of women from across Perth and Kinross.
These are just a few of the parade of 30 stimulating events taking place from Friday April 22 to Sunday 24.
And this year the festival will hit the road, with events taking place at Culture Perth and Kinross libraries and museums across the region, and other venues including the beautiful Innerpeffray Library near Crieff.
Included in the programme will be the opportunity to explore the local area on literary walking tours, including the Corbenic Poetry Path, and a chance to discover where Soutar got the inspiration for his poems.
Helen Smout, chief executive of Culture Perth and Kinross, said: “I’m delighted we’re able to unveil the final line-up for the Soutar Festival of Words 2022.
“We are thrilled to be able to work with so many writers, poets and artists to bring to Perthshire the very best in Scots language and culture.
“We’re excited to be partnering up with other organisations and venues across Perth and Kinross for the first time too, to bring the festival to as many people and corners of the region as possible.
“After such a challenging couple of years for cultural activity and in a world with so much turmoil and pain, this festival is a beacon of light, joy and celebration of the power of language and culture to unite, uplift and heal.
“I hope people will join us in person and online to share a little bit of that joy.”
Full details of the festival programme and details of how to get tickets can be found on the Culture Perth and Kinross website https://bit.ly/cpksoutar22.
