Scottish Storytelling Centre
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The world's first purpose-built storytelling centre was opened on 1 June 2006 by the Culture Minister, Patricia Ferguson. The opening will see the launch of a major events programme which will include storytelling, literature, visual arts and small theatre. |
The new centre has replaced the original Netherbow Arts Centre on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, and joins John Knox House. There is a 99-seat theatre, cafe, education room and an exhibition space, as well as a storytelling wall which celebrates famous stories such as Tam O'Shanter, Greyfriars Bobby, Sherlock Holmes, Inspector Rebus and The Gruffalo. There is also a special display dedicated to Robert Louis Stevenson.
| The project has spanned five years, and highlights of the new centre include a contemporary tower housing the old City Bell of Edinburgh, a storytelling garden and a vast storytelling library. Learn more about the facilities and Centre itself in the Infrastructure projects area of this website. |
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In the events programme that follows the official opening of the Storytelling Centre, you will find something for everyone. On 3 June, for ages five and upwards, there is a World Cup Special full of football-crazy characters, stories, poems, sing-alongs and a fun-filled World Cup quiz. Later in the month, as part of the Old Town Festival, there will be various storytelling events, including childhood experiences and tales in 'Stories My Granny Told Me' and tales of wartime memories with Noel Cochrane, Millie Gray, John Fee and Jack Martin in 'The All Clear'.
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There is a wonderful chance to enjoy the new building, meet the storytellers and join in with the stories at the Open Day and Storyfair on 25 June, and from 26 June until 30 July, you can pop in and enjoy a free storytelling taster with the storyteller of the day. |
Each day, a new storyteller will be introduced and you can hear stories of Scotland past and more about storytelling today.
On three Friday evenings in July, there is a special opportunity to join in - as a listener or teller - at Edinburgh's oldest storytelling club, at 'Summer Nights Guid Crack at the Waverley Bar'. Experience ceilidhing in the old sense as guest storytellers, singers and musicians share an intimate summer evening of entertainment and socialising.
This is just a taster of some of the events taking place over the coming months - a full events programme can be downloaded from the Scottish Storytelling Centre website, and more information can also be found in our events section.
| Funded by the National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council |
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