Celtic Connections to celebrate oral traditions as part of the Year of Stories 2022
Celtic Connections is to put Scotland’s rich oral traditions in the spotlight this January as part of a specially commissioned strand of events for the Year of Stories 2022.
Article Source: Celtic Connections
Last Updated: 17 December 2021 11:03
Whisper the Song will see a week of five captivating shows featuring storytellers, poets, writers and 20 high-profile musicians, exploring the oral tradition of passing stories down through generations, alongside the creation of exciting new tales.
Inspired by Scotland’s people, places, tales, legends and outstanding natural beauty, the activity is supported by EventScotland as part of the Year of Stories 2022 and will be a whole new chapter in the programme for Europe’s premiere winter festival.
Whisper the Song will allow audiences to immerse themselves in the tradition of storytelling within music and explore the places, people and cultures connected to these stories.
The shows join an already jam-packed and dynamic line up of performances at Celtic Connections 2022 covering traditional folk, roots, Americana, jazz, soul, indie and world music, taking place in Glasgow from Thursday 20 January to Sunday 6 February 2022.
Scotland’s Year of Stories spotlights, celebrates and promotes the wealth of stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland. The following shows will be part of Whisper the Song:
● The Scottish World will look at how tales of Scotland travelled with and were reimagined by the Diaspora and the influence they had around the world. Taking to the stage of the Mitchell Theatre, housed within one of Europe’s largest public libraries the Mitchell Library, writer, performer and broadcaster Billy Kay, singers Siobhan Miller and Robyn Stapleton and guests, will perform stories, music, poetry and song. Taking place on Saturday 5 February, the performance will explore Scotland's contribution to the world through its greatest export - its people.
● Breathe will highlight global climate change concerns through a collection of stories from Scotland’s natural world. Following the success of Strathspey Stories at the Scottish International Storytelling Centre in 2020, this family-friendly show sees Strathspey composer and multi-instrumentalist Hamish Napier and Scottish storyteller David Francis team up to explore the differing and developing attitudes to land management over the centuries. Another show to be held at the Mitchell Theatre on Saturday 22 January, Hamish and David will be accompanied by a stellar trio of musicians as they uncover songs and traditional tunes rooted in the land by their stories and folklore.
● Homage to Home will explore how traditional folk tales, stories and songs are the last link to the homeland of some new Scots. Scotland-based Jamaican singer-songwriter iBrina will be joined by a world-class ensemble of musical friends, including Gambian kora player Jally Kebba Susso, Ghanaian-born British hybrid guitarist Nathan Somevi and contemporary Scottish Nigerian singer-songwriter Bumi Thomas, for a night of dynamism and transcultural expression as she explores her tale of making Scotland her home. Taking place at Tramway on Saturday 22 January, this event is staged in partnership with BEMIS.
● Sing Me a Story - Cuir Seinn ri Seanchas will see the storytelling tradition of the Gàidhealtachd championed. Stories, myths and tales of the Gaels passed through generations that capture their sense of the world and Scotland’s place in it, will be celebrated in the iconic Mitchell Theatre on Friday 4 February. Allan Henderson, Margaret Stewart, Ewen Henderson, Sileas Sinclair, Ewan Robertson and Duncan Chisholm will revisit both humorous and tragic tales of hidden treasure, fairies, bòcain and more.
● Shetland 550: A Peerie Foy was the first show to be announced as part of the Year of Stories 2022 and will see acclaimed storytellers and musicians from the Shetland islands gather at The Old Fruitmarket on Sunday 23 January for a contemporary concert version of a traditional house ceilidh – or “peerie foy”, in Shetland dialect – incorporating music, stories and poetry. Part of the festival’s Shetland 550 series of events marking 550 years since it became part of Scotland, audiences will be able to delve into tales of the island’s diverse culture, languages, landscapes and ways of life. Participating artists include Shetland poets Christie Williamson and Christine de Luca, top island fiddlers Maurice Henderson, Margaret Robertson, Catriona Macdonald and Chris Stout, young jazz saxophonist Norman Willmore and audacious harp innovator Catriona McKay, of Fiddlers’ Bid fame.
Donald Shaw, Creative Producer of Celtic Connections, said: “Stories have long been at the heart of traditional music - the word Celt comes from the Germanic word Keltoi meaning ‘secret’, referencing how the Celts never wrote their stories down.
“It seems only fitting that we kick off Scotland’s Year of Stories with a special series of Celtic Connections events celebrating these rich oral traditions, exploring the many tales and legends that formed Scotland’s diverse culture, languages and ways of life.
“We’re proud to be part of such a diverse programme of Scottish events putting storytelling in the spotlight in 2022 and to present our strand, Whisper the Song, for audiences in Glasgow this January. We invite audiences to share in this oral tradition and enjoy stories, old and new, with us.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events said: “We are delighted to be supporting Celtic Connections as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022. From icons of literature to local tales, Scotland’s Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present.
“Celtic Connections will be at the heart of an engaging, celebratory nationwide events programme with their newly commissioned events celebrating Scotland's rich tradition of stories, interwoven with music, song and film.”
Tickets for Celtic Connections 2022 are on sale now at www.celticconnections.com
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Flight Club is giving out hundreds of prizes on the streets of Glasgow in October
The team behind the home of Social Darts is embarking on a nationwide charity tour in celebration of its 10th birthday and dishing out treats to its fans along the way!
READ MORE
GlasGLOW adds extra week after 35,000 tickets snapped up in days
City's biggest Halloween show extended as nostalgia-fuelled 'Miles Better' theme takes Glasgow by storm, with new dates on sale on Wednesday 17th September at 7.30am!
READ MORE
Wedding venue Crossbasket Castle unveils exquisite new menu curated by Michelin starred chef Michel Roux
Scotland's premier five-star luxury wedding destination, Crossbasket Castle, has unveiled a new decadent wedding menu crafted exclusively by world-renowned Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux.
READ MORE
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduate joins full cast of Death on the Nile at the Theatre Royal
The full cast has been announced for Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile which comes to the Theatre Royal Glasgow in February.
READ MORE
Spooky season returns to town with the announcement of Paisley Halloween Festival 2025
Paisley Halloween Festival will return to town next month to celebrate the spooky season with a packed programme of frightful fun for all the family!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.
READ MORE
Matilda the Musical comes to Glasgow for the first time
The Royal Shakespeare Company's smash hit production of Matilda The Musical, based on Roald Dahl's beloved book, will come to Glasgow for the very first time in 2026!
READ MORE
Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025
Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!
READ MORE
A jewellery store in Glasgow Fort is doubling in size following investment
Family-owned national diamond, jewellery and watch retailer, Beaverbrooks, is doubling the size of its Glasgow Fort store with a £1.3m investment.
READ MORE
Forget a boring beige Christmas in Glasgow...
This festive season at SWG3, Bongo's Bingo is transporting everyone back to the time where coloured tree lights and flammable tinsel ruled supreme!
READ MORE
Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on
Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.
READ MORE
Popular Sunday BBQ returns to Glasgow favourite Sebbs
One of Glasgow's favourites is flipping the idea of a traditional roast on its head with the return of its Sunday BBQ later this month.
READ MORE
Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie
Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour
Òran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
SOAPYFEST raises thousands for Beatson Cancer Charity and Marie Curie
The Barrowland Ballroom was filled with love, laughter, and music as friends, family and supporters came together for SOAPYFEST, raising over £18K in support of Beatson Cancer Charity and Marie Curie
READ MORE
M&Ds teams up with Zombie Infection for a heart pounding, live action horror attraction
M&D's is set to transform into Scotland's Scream Park with the launch of Zombie Checkpoint, a live action immersive horror experience creating a heart racing adventure not for the faint hearted.
READ MORE
Topgolf Glasgow launches new field goal challenge game this autumn
Topgolf Glasgow is bringing a taste of the gridiron to Scotland this autumn with the launch of its brand-new Field Goal Challenge game.
READ MORE
GlasGLOW sells over 20,000 tickets in first hour as fans rush to relive 80s magic
GlasGLOW fever has gripped Glasgow once again, with more than 20,000 tickets for this year's GlasGLOW's Miles Better show snapped up within just 60 minutes of being released.
READ MORE
Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland
Iconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.
READ MORE
20 expert sessions at The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.
READ MORE
A Taste of Loch Lomond Book launches with live cooking demo at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival
Love Loch Lomond will officially launch its new publication, A Taste of Loch Lomond – Stories and Flavours from the Bonnie Banks, at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 7th September.
READ MORE
Even more acts added to Tenement Trail 2025, set to take over the East End on Saturday 11th October
Multi-venue music festival taking over Glasgow's East End this October confirms Dead Pony and 14 new acts!
READ MORE
2025 Aye Write programme announced as tickets go on sale for annual book festival
Tickets will go on sale for Aye Write, Glasgow's long-established and much-loved book festival, at 11am today.
READ MORE
Seriously fun ideas for your work Christmas Party
It might only be September, but the C-word is not too far away, so it's time to start thinking about planning the annual office Christmas shindig before everything gets booked up!
READ MORE
Birds Fried Chicken launches collaboration series with Corner Shop
Birds Fried Chicken is taking its signature Southern-style fried chicken out of its natural Shawlands habitat and into new, unexpected settings with the launch of Rare Birds!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries champions Zero Waste Week with retailer initiatives for conscious consumers
Buchanan Galleries is marking Zero Waste Week (1 – 5 September 2025) by showcasing the centre's wide range of sustainable retail initiatives!
READ MORE
Business Gateway launches its first ever Scottish Start Up Month
Business Gateway, Scotland's national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.
READ MORE
Pop up play town brings big imaginations to little ones
A new role-play experience is popping up in community venues across Greater Glasgow this month bringing pint-sized professions and plenty of pretend fun to preschoolers and their families.
READ MORE
Local musicians to perform at outdoor charity concert at Nostrana restaurant
Summer may be over, but music festival season is still here, with an exciting outdoor concert in aid of Mary's Meals taking place in Glasgow's West End on Sunday 7th September.
READ MORE
Double the thrills this Halloween at Glasgow Science Centre
Glasgow Science Centre is inviting budding detectives down to the Clyde-side this October to help them solve the murder of the millennia – with a science twist.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links