The popular biennial literary festival returns this April, fully online for the first time and with a range of events, including headline guests Douglas Stuart, Sally Magnusson, Vic Galloway, Cameron McNeish and Elaine C Smith.
The Festival takes place from Friday 23 until Sunday 25 April with over 20 events, performances and readings celebrating the diversity of Scots Language, literature and culture inspired by Perth Poet and Writer, William Soutar.
Vic Galloway said “I am delighted to be speaking at the Soutar Festival of Words in April. Although sad not to be attending in person in beautiful Perth & Kinross, it will be a delight to talk about music and books with people who love both of those things! After an incredibly challenging year for everyone, festivals like these shine some light on the vivid and exciting cultural landscape that we have in Scotland. This is a great springtime event for those speaking and watching, giving us all something hopeful to focus on and look forward to!“
Other headline events will include the author of the Diary o’ a Wimpy Wean, Thomas Clark, and Perthshire poet and new Maker for the Federation of Writers Scotland, Jim Mackintosh in conversation with award-winning writer and television presenter, Cameron McNeish.
There will also pre-recorded live streams of readings from prize-winning novelist and former Edinburgh Makar and Poet Laureate, Ron Butlin, Scots writer and poet Matthew Fitt, former Stirling Makar Anita Govan, former Edinburgh Makar, Associate of Harvard University, and Royal Literary Fellow Valerie Gillies, Edinburgh’s first Maker, Stewart Conn, former Edinburgh Maker and Poet Laureate, Christine de Luca, and author, poet and teacher Dr Carly Brown. Musical interludes across Saturday and Sunday will be provided by Debra Salem, from her album In A Sma’ Room, inspired by the poems of William Soutar.
No Soutar Festival of Words would be complete without the opportunity to engage with the work of William Soutar. On the opening night, the Soutar Birthday Lecture with Professor Alan Riach of Glasgow University will present an exploration of Soutar’s work which will appeal to those who are familiar with his writing and those who have yet to discover his richly evocative words.
Charles Kinnoull, Chair of Culture Perth and Kinross said, “With all the challenges and restrictions of the last 12 months, I am delighted that we are able to bring such a rich and varied programme into an online environment giving people the opportunity to participate in a high-quality and inspiring literary festival from the comfort of their own homes. We look forward to engaging not only with our regional friends and followers but also to welcoming new audiences from around the world”
Full details of the festival programme can be found on the Culture Perth and Kinross website www.culturepk.org.uk/soutar2021
The Soutar Festival of Words will run from 23 April to 25 2021.
The Soutar Festival of Words 2021 has been made possible with support from The Friends of William Soutar, Thornton’s Law and The Jimmie Cairncross Trust.
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