Now in it's fourth year, the student and youth-led festival will run from 19-24 September (and beyond!) with a vibrant offering of literary cross-arts events at the University's Old Aberdeen campus as well other locations in the city. All events in the programme are free to attend.
Building on the success of last year’s festival, WayWORD 2023 will offer more events than ever before and provide a feast of literature, traditional and classical music, art exhibitions and performances encompassing topics including politics, sci-fi, comedy, history and drag.
This year’s line-up of speakers includes Scotland’s Makar Kathleen Jamie, Biographer Chitra Ramaswamy, crime writer Liam McIlvanney, poet Alycia Pirmohamed, local author Sheena Blackhall, playwright May Sumbwanyambe, Booker-nominated Irish novelist Claire Keegan,and many more.
This year’s WayWORD also boasts a vibrant community programme, including Rare Beasts o Scotland Storytelling & Craft for kids, Syrian singers and a Syrian cookery workshop and cookbook launch. The programme also includes Orkney duo Saltfishforty in concert at King’s Pavilion, and premieres of newly commissioned work by composer Gemma McGregor and poet Christine De Luca, and contemporary dance by Taylor Han with Citymoves Fusion Youth.
For the first time, there will also be WayWORD events at Aberdeen Arts Centre and North East Scotland College. Taking place on September 16, the programme will focus on drama, including a panel discussion exploring Theatre and Disability with actors Robert Softly-Gale and Abigail Brydon, writer and director Suzanne Lofthus, and Equity EDI Organiser Ian Manborde.
In addition, members of the public can enjoy another day of events at the Music Hall on September 30, including a walking tour and talk by Aberdeen Women’s Alliance, ACE Voices Intergenerational Choir, and a Nan Shepherd event with author Merryn Glover.
Dr Helen Lynch, Director of the University of Aberdeen WORD Centre for Creative Writing and Festival Creative Director, said: ”The youth committee have been working all year to curate a wonderfully diverse and insightful programme with events taking place across the city. Each year I am increasingly impressed by the fresh ideas which the committee bring to the table. 2023 is shaping up to be our biggest festival yet, with two additional dates at the Arts Centre and the Music Hall bringing us further in to the city and community.
“The festival is fortunate to be able to use its many cultural and community partnerships to the full – for example with Sound Festival, Aberdeen Arts Centre, Explorathon and SC&T Youth – which is why can create such a wide-ranging programme across so many art forms. We’re grateful for all the support we have received this year and in growing the festival in the past, including from Creative Scotland, Aberdeen City Council and University of Aberdeen.”
WayWORD is curated each year by young people from Aberdeen City and Shire, including students from the University of Aberdeen and NESCOL, working with staff from the WORD Centre for Creative Writing and School of Language, Literature, Music & Visual Culture. The idea is to provide mentoring and hands-on experience for young people in all aspects of arts admin, events organisation and delivery - from author liaison, programme design, and budgeting to marketing, AV and tech support, stage management, event chairing and performing.
Although all events are free to attend, booking is required. For more information and to book, visit www.waywordfestival.com