The Stove Network, 100 High Street Dumfries, will host a weekend of free events as further celebration of Dumfries’ connection to Norway. The event, STORY, will include exploration of narratives, storytelling, writing sessions, musical performance and discussion. Members of the public are invited to come share and learn about their Scottish/Norwegian connections as well as explore themes surrounding exile, refuge and shared cultural history.
Lead artist, Katharine Wheeler, commented, “We hope this project connects up pockets of activity already surrounding Dumfries’ Norwegian links, to showcase, celebrate and build on this for future relations and collaborations. STORY is one of the last events to explore ideas before we put our heads down to create a Norwegian Heritage Trail through our town to be launched in March 2017 and we hope there is something for everyone.”
STORY will happen across three days with activities kicking off on Thursday 10th with the creation of a Story Boat with Simon Lidwell and Viking Craft Night with Wordsmithcrafts from 6pm until the café closes at 8pm. On Friday 11th Deidre Nelson will help stitch places of significance into map sections, and at 4pm there will be a performance and workshop of Finn the Whale Puppet Show; a children’s story exploring the themes of journeys and exile. In the evening there will also be a fully inclusive composition workshop and performance delivered by Paragon Music with opportunity to perform on the 12th.
On Saturday 12th join Alyne Jones in making nets from 11am, and Stove Curatorial Team Member, Martin Joseph O’Neill will be leading a Story writing session, based on the STORY Bagpuss window currently on display in The Stove Café; loved, found or forgotten objects with Norwegian connections. Saturday evening will conclude with an ‘Our Norwegian Story’ Showcase from 6pm, where you can enjoy the creations over the three days with musical, spoken word performances, food and drink.
The diversity of activity reflects the cross-generational interest ‘Our Norwegian Story’ is attracting and has already begun the forging of friendships and strengthening relationships locally and across the water to Norway. ‘Our Norwegian Story’ aims to add another layer of richness and cultural identity to the town centre, as well as forging new links with other cultures for local people to use.
