The SISF Community and Family Programme bookends and runs alongside the main Scottish International Storytelling Festival and is taking place between Monday 12 October – Monday 30 November.

This year, we will pair local storytellers with schools and community groups in digital and small-scale live settings – keeping things safe and slow with a varied and enjoyable programme for all.

Take Part in The Big Scottish Story Ripple

Community groups and schools can take part in The Big Scottish Story Ripple by holding a storytelling event led by a professional storyteller from our Storytelling Directory.

Groups can apply for a subsidy that will cover the cost of their storyteller’s fees. In return, successful applicants must offer a good deed back to their local community on or before St Andrew’s Day – continuing the ripple of kindness.

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If you had the opportunity to tell the real story, fill an empty plinth, set the story straight, spotlight history with warts and all, put the focus on those written out of history – who would be sculpted and why? Now is your time to imagine who should be on a plinth and tell their story.

The Scottish Storytelling Forum, as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, invites you to:

• Research community or family history by using archives, libraries, online portals or conversation.
• Attend a free online storytelling skills workshop | 20 Oct | 7 – 9pm
• Join the social media discussion with #TalkingStatues | 26 Oct
• Tell or listen to the stories at the Talking Statues event | 27 Oct | 7 – 9pm

Explore existing and imagined statues of Edinburgh through Mercat Tours fascinating walking tours, develop storytelling skills by telling the story of someone previously overlooked or forgotten and join the conversation online. Let’s start #TalkingStatues.

Get Creative: Talking Statues