In Looking In: Experiences Through the Ages, Nicole and Iain from Support in Mind Scotland discuss two multi-arts events at the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival: Six O’clock in Princes Street and Neu! Reekie!
Named after the famous Wilfred Owen poem, Six O’clock in Princes Street was a night of poetry and performance in the stunning setting of Edinburgh Castle’s Great Hall. Exploring veterans’ experience with trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, it was led by NHS Lothian, Scottish Poetry Library, Strange Town and Veterans First Point.
Popular spoken word night Neu! Reekie!, curated by Kevin Williamson and Michael Pedersen, took place in partnership with Dundee Literary Festival at Bonar Hall. Featuring novelist Jenni Fagan, presenting her short film Bangour Village Hospital, Loki, the Scottish rapper, guitarist Craig Lithgow, and Kevin Williamson and KiXX Collective performing a racy retelling of Robert Burns’ Tam o’ Shanter, it was a memorable evening.
You can watch material mentioned in the podcast here:
Jenni Fagan, Bangour Village Hospital
Support in Mind Scotland seek to support and empower all those affected by mental illness, including family members, carers and supporters. To find out more, visit their website.
Nicole Bell is the Capacity Building Officer for Support in Mind Scotland. Splitting her time between Fife and Edinburgh, she is frequently spotted catching up with friends while exploring the gastronomic delights at either end of the Forth Road Bridge. Find her on Twitter at @nicolebellcurve.
Iain Mitchell is Community Partnership Fundraising Officer for the mental health charity Support in Mind Scotland. A lover of cinema, Popmaster on Radio 2, animal odd-couples, Iron Maiden and checked shirts. Find him on Twitter @toast2toast9.
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