Ye Fair Forflittin Flochter, or Fun with Flyting: A Family-friendly Workshop

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Discover FLYTING, the playful, poetic tradition of creative insults on this family-friendly workshop at The Mitchell Library as part of Being Human Festival!

About Ye Fair Forflittin Flochter, or Fun with Flyting: A Family-friendly Workshop

Listed Under Workshops Events / Family and Kids Events

Discover FLYTING, the playful, poetic tradition of creative insults! This family-friendly event provides the chance to explore flyting, an Older Scots tradition brimming with potential for self-expression.

The event will begin with a short performance by actors who’ll show you how makars (Scottish poets) crafted and exchanged insults for public entertainment four hundred years ago.

Then you’ll be invited to participate in small-group workshops to create your own insults or compliments (how about a sleekit, slimy snake or a canny, courteous cuddy?). Experiment with sound, making up words and playing with alliteration to create your very own hilarious taunts, Older Scots style. Finally, the actors will return for a special, final performance to showcase each group's best flytings and flatterings.

Afterwards, there will be refreshments available and you can decorate a royal crown or a makar’s bunnet to take home. You can also design and colour a family crest inspired by your favourite animal, sport or hobby.

We'll be joined by Ishbel McFarlane- performer, writer, and champion of Scots in the arts- and get a sneak peek at some of the Mitchell Library’s centuries-old Scots manuscripts, too! This is the perfect way to bring the Older Scots language, spoken over four centuries ago, alive for you and your family.

Tickets are FREE and booking is essential via Eventbrite.

The event is part of Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 9–18 November 2023. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, with generous support from Research England, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information, please see beinghumanfestival.org.

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