Culture Round-up for November
St Andrew's Day, Alasdair Gray, and thought-provoking documentaries
Hello, and happy St Andrew’s Day. To celebrate our national day I’m pulling together some interesting bits and pieces from Scottish culture and the arts which have caught my eye over the course of November.
There’s a focus on video and film in this round-up, so you might want to try some of these when you have time to sit down and give them a proper watch. I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as I have.
In some other news, it is now two whole years since I launched my Atlas of Scotland project as part of St Andrew’s Day celebrations at St Giles’ Cathedral.
Since its launch, the Atlas has taken me to a whole variety of talks, fairs, and exhibitions across Scotland. It’s funny how finishing a book is only really the beginning of its story. If you know anyone who would enjoy a book of hand-drawn maps, with a bit of Scottish history, I’ve still got copies of the Atlas available here.
Now, let’s get onto some of the things which have caught my eye this month.
Alasdair Gray’s ‘Poor Things’
A new film about Alasdair Gray’s cultural impact has just been released by Ossian. The documentary explores Gray’s work ahead of the cinema release of ‘Poor Things’ next year, a big-screen adaptation of one of Gray’s best-loved novels.
The Ossian film has also introduced me to this brilliant piece of music, ‘Song from the Last Page of Lanark’ by Gareth Williams, which adapts some of the final words of Alasdair Gray’s famous novel into song.
Back in 2021 I interviewed Sorcha Dallas about setting up the Alasdair Gray Archive, with the aim of promoting Gray’s creative legacy. Read the interview here.
‘The Break-up of Britain?’
A major conference on the future of the United Kingdom, its nations, and the European Union, was held at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh on 18 November, inspired by the work of Scottish political theorist and essayist Tom Nairn.
The conference featured a range of fascinating topics, from culture and identity to democracy and self-determination, and included contributions from members of the SNP, Labour Party, Green Party and Plaid Cymru, as well as a whole host of non-party commentators and campaigners. The conference is now available to watch below thanks to Independence Live.
A message from Scotland to the world
Earlier this month, Scotland’s makar (national poet) Kathleen Jamie invited members of the public to help write ‘An Address from the People of Scotland to the Leaders of the World’. The collective poem, with contributions welcomed in English, Scots and Gaelic, aimed to project a Scottish voice internationally in these troubled times.
Public submissions are now closed for this project, and the result is due be published on the Scottish Poetry Library website today.
‘To See Ourselves’ online screening - tonight!
Tonight at 7pm (St Andrew’s Day, 30 November) there will be an online premiere and mass-watching event for Jane McAllister’s wonderful film, ‘To See Ourselves’.
McAllister has created a poetic, personal, and deeply moving film about the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, reflecting on an important moment in Scotland’s recent history in a unique and creative way. Click here for more information on tonight’s mass-screening.
At the end of the screening there will also be a panel discussion hosted by Bella Caledonia. This is sure to be an interesting conversation ahead of the referendum’s upcoming 10-year-anniversary next year.
In other news
As for me, I’m currently in the midst of setting up stalls at various Christmas makers’ markets around Edinburgh. This weekend it’s the Summerhall Christmas Market by the Meadows, featuring over 90 independent makers (open 11am - 5pm both days). It's a great way to pick up something unique and support local artists. If you can’t make it, I’m also selling my books, prints and greetings cards through my online shop.
Here’s hoping you have a great St Andrew’s Day.