The latest edition of Stirling’s Off The Page Libraries and Culture Festival launches this Thursday, 27th May, with a digital programme that will prove a real page turner.
The return of the three-day long festival after a two-year break will be music to the ears of Stirling book lovers as it offers a special 2021 theme of Songs and Stories with a focus on walking and the great outdoors.
Bringing together writers, poets, and musicians, the festival will offer a series of digital talks, events and workshops including live Q&A sessions and the first public event for new Stirling Makar, Laura Fyfe.
The festival, which will run from Thursday 27th -Saturday 29th May is organised by Stirling Council’s Libraries service and is now into its 15th year, supported this year by Stirling Council’s Culture Team.
Convenor of Stirling Council’s Community Planning and Regeneration Committee, Councillor Chris Kane, said: “I am delighted that our 2021 event is going ahead. Reading has been a great source of comfort for so many people over the past year, offering an escape route from reality as we live through such challenging times.
“Off The Page is now in its 15th year and to make the most out of this year’s programme we have transitioned to an online format which will continue to deliver the rich and exciting book festival programme that you have all come to expect.
“We can’t wait for you to turn a page and join in the lively conversations and workshops that we have planned.”
Highlights for 2021 include a writing workshop with award-winning Dunblane-based author Malachy Tallack. Titled “Show What You Can Do”, participants will learn what “showing” entails for a writer, and how indirect and figurative language can bring their work to life
Makar Laura Fyfe and Charlie Roy, poet, author and co-chair of the Scottish Poetry Library, will also offer a live and lively discussion about writing poetry and the journey to becoming established on the Scottish poetry scene.
In an Off The Page special hosted by the Tolbooth, Matthew Bannister will bring his award winning podcast, Folk on Foot, which covers his three passions: folk music, walking and telling stories in sound, to the Festival, being joined by acclaimed Scottish musician Duncan Chisholm for an online discussion.
Off The Page will also offer a series of songwriting workshops, an evening with Scottish novelist Kirstin Innes, authors Kerri Andrews and Linda Cracknell chatting about walking, writing, and being inspired by nature, plus much, much more.
Vice Convenor, Councillor Scott Farmer, said: “Whilst we may not be able to gather physically, our libraries team have gone to great lengths to create an interesting and interactive virtual festival experience.
“We have an excellent line-up of writers taking part and we hope that, in these exceptional times, the Off The Page festival will bring some entertaining songs and stories to local people in their own homes.”
Find out all the details of what’s on offer by visiting https://stirlingevents.org/festival/off-the-page/.
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