Article Source: ConFAB
Last Updated: 26 February 2024 12:49
12 young pupils from Hillhead Primary, current title holders of Slam Masters of the Scottish Youth Poetry Slam, were the opening performance at a special parliamentary reception by Creative Scotland to celebrate the arts at the Scottish Parliament. The pupils performed the winning poem: Nature and individual winner, Lily Blake, performed: ‘Don’t be in Such a Rush to Grow Up’.
The event was hosted by Keith Brown MSP, with Iain Munro, Chief Executive, Creative Scotland and Robert Wilson, Chair, Creative Scotland. Speaking at the event was Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture. Also in attendance were Kaukab Stewart, SNP; Neil Bibby, Scottish Labour; Alexander Stuart, Scottish Conservatives; Michelle Thomson, SNP and more. Also in attendance were several arts organisations funded by Creative Scotland, including National Theatre of Scotland and other local and national arts organisations. The event celebrated the reach, impact, and diversity of arts funding in Scotland. The school performed their winning group and individual poems to an audience of MSP’s, policy makers and leading arts organisations from across the country.
Iain Munro, Chief Executive at Creative Scotland said: “The opening performance of Hillhead Primary’s bright pupils sent a strong message that the future of arts and culture in Scotland is in safe hands. Their evocative words demonstrated exactly the purpose of the arts – to hold a mirror to ourselves and society to reflect on. Every adult in the room went away with something to think about from these talented young people. They are worthy winners of the Scottish Poetry Slam, and we look forward to hearing more from each of their flourishing creative voices.”
Lois Lurinsky, Deputy Head Teacher, Hillhead Primary School, commented: “Our pupils and staff had a wonderful evening at the Creative Scotland Parliamentary Reception. We were overjoyed to win both the individual and group categories of the Scottish Poetry Slam last year and to be invited to such an exciting event was the icing on the cake! Working with ConFAB has provided our pupils with inspiration to develop their creative poetry skills and last night they were able to experience the thrill of performing for a live audience – an experience I am sure all involved will treasure.”
Rachel McJury, Artistic Director of ConFAB, Founders of Scottish Youth Poetry Slam, said: “It was a wonderful opportunity for the young people, and they were all amazing! We have been running youth poetry slams for 20 years now and witnessing the young people find their voices and share their experiences in such creative, talented, and transformative ways never tires. Creative Scotland’s recognition of the power of the arts to increase wellbeing, self-empowerment and opportunities for young people was greatly received.”
Now in its fifth year, the Scottish Youth Poetry Slam is a bi-annual competition, encouraging young people to embrace language through poetry and spoken word. The project invites young people from the whole of Scotland to take part in music, poetry and performance workshops leading up to Scottish Youth Poetry Slam. The Slam crosses traditional barriers by using fun, youth culture elements to nurture language and literacy and to engage young people in literature and culture and upskill them with creative ways to manage mental health.
Royal Ballet First Soloist Nicol Edmonds will perform with the Scottish Ballet for a limited run of shows this winter as The Prince in The Nutcracker.
READ MORELegendary Scottish band Skerryvore have today unveiled plans to stage a special one-off concert – their biggest to date – to mark their 20th anniversary.
READ MORE17 pubs across Scotland are calling on their customers to help spread a little Christmas cheer by writing cards to people facing loneliness and isolation this Christmas.
READ MOREThe award-winning cult makeup brand VIEVE has announced that a new pop-up store will be opening at Buchanan Galleries on Thursday 5th December!
READ MOREForget those seasonal bakes…this year, it's all about Fat Hippo's Christmas burgers! With both meat and vegan options, it looks like everyone's made the nice list!
READ MOREMerchant Square has it all under one roof this festive season... Christmas markets, activities and the party of the year is back!
READ MOREMusic lovers have a lot to look forward to at Vue venues in Scotland – including a very special Andrea Bocelli screening this weekend.
READ MORECeltic Connections in partnership with Innis & Gunn has added more than 40 shows to its ever-expanding 2025 programme.
READ MORESanta Claus has marked his calendar to visit Buchanan Galleries this Christmas and find out who's been naughty or nice.
READ MOREThe cast of the Pavilion Panto have been spotted at the famous Auld's Bakery in St Enoch Centre ahead of the much anticipated Beauty & The Beastie.
READ MORESupermarket teams up with national treasure Larry Lamb to reimagine its in-store cafes as 'Chatty Cafés' and help spark conversations this Christmas.
READ MOREErmana Skincare, a Glasgow based, natural and organic skincare company has announced its Skin & Within podcast is now available as part of British Airways' and Aer Lingus' inflight entertainment.
READ MORET Yildirim has officially launched a new Scottish blended whisky that he hopes will inspire a new generation of drinkers and will remove the stigma from those in the industry around blends.
READ MOREAs part of Trafalgar Theatres, the Pavilion Theatre will be taking part in the UK's Biggest Black Friday Theatre Event, meaning amazing theatre ticket deals for their customers!
READ MOREEnjoy authentic Indian street food perfect for sharing this festive season at Mowgli Glasgow!
READ MOREA new charity launched by the Glasgow Clan ice hockey team aims to promote the benefits of exercise and healthy eating.
READ MOREScotland's national celebration of books, Book Week Scotland 2024, returns from 18-24 November to uplift the country with its theme of Hope.
READ MOREOn Sunday 17 November, Glasgow's Christmas lights switch-on will joyfully mark the start of the festive season for many.
READ MOREBrewDog is relaunching its Treasure Hunt campaign in time for Christmas with 60 of its iconic Advent Calendars will be hidden across 20 selected BrewDog bars in the UK.
READ MOREImagine Theatre proudly present a thrilling lineup of magical family pantos jam packed with laughter, music, song and dance featuring some of Scotland's favourite stars!
READ MOREModern Films Family in partnership with CBeebies are excited to announce that this year's CBeebies Panto is Beauty and the Beast and that it will be in cinemas during November and December.
READ MOREAs winter approaches and the festive season reaches fever pitch, it’s time to celebrate at the most talked about night out in the UK with plentiful magic and mayhem!
READ MOREFrom enjoying a jolly time at Santa's Breakfast to indulging in a delicious Festive Afternoon Tea or enjoying some seasonal drinks and cakes, customers at Dobbies are in for a treat.
READ MOREScotland's biggest dedicated comedy festival gets set to celebrate Glasgow as the 'funniest city in the world' from 12th - 30th March 2025!
READ MOREYoung people have been brewing up new skills with the help of local coffee expert, Ryan Sinclair, as they embark on barista training at Hillington-based Skills Academy.
READ MOREA leading Scottish performing arts institution has launched one of the country's first artist-led Contemporary Dance degree courses.
READ MORERetail and leisure destination Silverburn has confirmed iconic luxury retailer Harrods is to expand its standalone beauty concept, H beauty, with the opening of its second Scottish store.
READ MORESomewhere by Nico in Glasgow unveils its latest immersive cocktail experience inspired by Lewis Carroll’s literary classic – Alice in Wonderland
READ MOREGlasgow's most iconic music venue King Tut's unveils its New Year's Revolution festival lineup marking the start of their 35th year!
READ MOREPhil Cunningham's beloved Christmas Songbook is set to return to Glasgow, bringing festive cheer and a captivating blend of contemporary and traditional Christmas tunes to the Concert Hall!
READ MORE