THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS 2015
performances, slams and open mics, jazz, films, workshops and poetry-related art exhibitions, installations and films are a host of local and international wordsmiths. See left. 6–19 MARCH
ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL SCOTLAND FILM & TV Various venues: Scotland, italianfilmfestival.org.uk
SPOTLIGHT ON . . . STANZA If you know your sonnets from your acrostics, your limericks from your love poems, or you’re simply a fan of all things versified, then the StAnza International Poetry Festival in St Andrews might be the very event for you. This leading festival aims to bring poets and practitioners in related artforms from all over the world together, and has featured everyone from Poet Laureates to world-class writers from over 40 countries. 2015’s festival looks set to be no exception when it comes to pulling in the big names, with the likes of Simon Armitage, Sinéad Morrissey, Carolyn Forché, Bill Manhire, Alice Notley Ian Duhig, Helen Mort and Ilya Kaminsky all confirmed as headline acts. These literary big hitters are all appearing in a year when the central themes are ‘Unfinished Business’ and ‘An Archipelago of Poetry’, so if you’d like to see these ideas done some serious poetic justice, head to St Andrews in March. (Rebecca Monks) ■ Various venues, St Andrews, 4–8 Mar, stanzapoetry.org 30
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This film festival celebrates the best of Italian cinema, bringing it across the waters and all the way up to Scotland. A mix of classic and contemporary cinematic delights makes up the programme. 6–8 MARCH
WEE DUB FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues: Edinburgh, weedubfestival.co.uk
Scotland’s only festival dedicated to dub and reggae music in all its forms. Lineup includes Channel One Soundsystem, Mungo’s Hi-Fi & Charlie P, MC Soom T, Earl Gateshead and more. 7 MARCH
ULLAPOOL DANCE FESTIVAL THEATRE & DANCE Various venues: Ullapool, Highland, ullapooldance@yahoo.co.uk, ullapooldancefestival.org
Dance festival with classes for all ages and abilities.
7–8 MARCH
DUNBAR SCIFEST SCIENCE Various venues: Dunbar, East Lothian, dunbarscifest.org.uk
Dunbar’s SciFest is an exciting, interesting and fun couple of days of science shows, workshops, storytelling and talks. 7–29 MARCH
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MIDDLE EASTERN SPIRITUALITY AND PEACE ART / MUSIC / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues: Edinburgh, mesp2015@hotmail.com, mesp. org.uk
The Middle East Festival draws together people from a wide range of spiritual backgrounds, cultures, traditions and communities to celebrate peace and mutual understanding. 9–14 MARCH
GALLOWAY MUSIC FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues: Stranraer & Newton Stewart, gallowaymusicfestival.org.uk
Competitive music festival for amateur musicians of all ages. 11–15 MARCH
GLASGOW SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
7 MARCH
FILM & TV CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, shorts@glasgowfilm. org, glasgowfilm.org/festival
NAAFC ANNUAL ACCORDION & FIDDLE FESTIVAL
Screenings, talks and workshops celebrating a diverse range of local and international talent.
HERITAGE / MUSIC Macdonald Inchyra Grange Hotel, Grange Road, Polmont, Falkirk, boxandfiddle.com
All-day accordion and fiddle competitions, prize-winners concert and a closing dance.
11–15 MARCH
EDINBURGH’S FESTIVAL OF IRELAND MUSIC / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues: Edinburgh, office@edinburghsfestivalofireLIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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