Opening on 21 September, WayWORD will host former Scots Makar Liz Lochhead and a live concert with SC&T Youth, Ross Couper and Tom Oakes.
The festival continues 24-29 September with guests including Queen’s Poetry Medallist, Caribbean-British poet Grace Nichols, novelists Ben Aaronovitch, Zoe Strachan and Louise Welsh, Sherlock Holmes series writer James Lovegrove and Horrible Histories’ comic songwriter Richie Webb.
They will be joined by a raft of others including Leila Aboulela, Amira Al Shanti, Bryan Angus, Rachelle Atalla, Dean Atta, Sarah Bernstein, Mae Diansangu, Aleksandra Hnatiuk, Martin Malone, Chris Kohler, Jen Stout, Maud Woolf and more.
This week the Saltire Society announced the longlists for the National Book Awards, including four writers appearing at WayWORD: Zoe Strachan, Jen Stout, Sarah Bernstein and Shane Strachan.
For those who cannot be there in person, an online programme includes Scottish Canadian novelist Margot Livesey; a Neurodiversity & Writing event with Elle McNicoll, in conversation with Sarinah O’Donoghue; and, continuing the legacy of Nan Shepherd, a Women of Colour on Nature panel. Livestreaming of a further eight events will make in-person events accessible to audience who cannot make it to the festival.
Part of the WayWORD ethos is the commitment to free tickets for every event. Funding from University of Aberdeen Development Trust, Creative Scotland, Event Scotland and Aberdeen City Council, allows the festival to make every ticket for every event free. A key pillar of the festival is this commitment to accessibility for all regardless of disability, socioeconomic status, or any other barrier that people face when participating in the arts.
Now in its fifth year, the youth-led, literary cross arts festival has become a well-loved part of the cultural calendar. Created by young people working with staff of the University of Aberdeen WORD Centre for Creative Writing, WayWORD is proud to continue its mantra of ‘celebrating unconventional forms of artistic expression’.
This year’s workshop offering ranges from Clowning with Jessica Hernandez to a New Theatre-Makers Workshop with Annabel Lunney. There will also be Psycho-geography and Post-colonial Walking Tours in Old Aberdeen and Drop-in Sketching & Doodling Sessions, based on items from the University's Library’s Collections.
This year the festival’s themes include a Languages Day, featuring languages from Chinese, Spanish and Gaelic to Farsi, Polish and British Sign Language; a panel on Music & Migration; discussion of Women and the War in Ukraine, and dance traditions from Balkan and Scottish Country to Tango. There will also be a Climate & Environment Day, and a Day of Scots poetry and drama with Len Pennie, Shane Strachan, Danielle Jam and Morna Young, at the city’s Cowdray Hall.
As ever the festival’s musical offer is varied, encompassing traditional music duo Ross Couper & Tom Oakes, classical music and poetry with violist Fiona Winning and performance poet Jacob Sam-La Rose, as well as the return of Syrian trio ‘Shamband’ which formed at WayWORD in 2023. This year’s event also premieres new music and dance collaboration from young composers of Spectrum and CityMoves Fusion Dance. ‘WayWORD at The Lampie’ on Tuesday 24 September will showcase local talent Sheena Blackhall, Noon Salah Eldin, alongside Iranian and Syrian musicians and spoken word poet Jacob Sam-La Rose.
The festival mentors its WayWORD Youth Committee in all aspects of arts organisation, from marketing and stage management to audio visual skills and event chairing and provides hands-on experience that often leads to future employment in the creative industries. It’s also possible to be a volunteer at the festival.
One 2024 Youth Committee member said: "I began volunteering with the WayWORD Festival initially, but this year I’ve had the chance to contribute to the festival as a committee member. It’s been an amazing opportunity to connect and work with talented creatives in a supportive environment.”
Dr Helen Lynch, Director of the University of Aberdeen WORD Centre for Creative Writing and Festival Creative Director, added: “I’m delighted that we are again able to offer a varied, dynamic and innovative programme to audiences from the north-east and beyond.
“Five years ago, when we started during the pandemic, it scarcely seemed possible that WayWORD would be able to create such a successful, durable, annual arts event, and the fact that we have done so is down to a vast team of helpers, supporters and cultural and community partners.
“I’m amazed at the energy and exciting ideas of the young people who have created 2024’s WayWORD, and certain that the stellar performer line-up and interactive opportunities will inspire the public too.”
The full programme is available at www.waywordfestival.com. Tickets are free but booking required. British Sign Language interpretation is provided.
The festival is funded with the generous support of University of Aberdeen Development Trust, Creative Scotland, Event Scotland and Aberdeen City Council.