East Dunbartonshire homecoming for Jackie Kay to celebrate Book Week Scotland

Former National Makar Jackie Kay is going back to her roots on a visit to Bishopbriggs Library for an evening in conversation with comedian Josie Long to celebrate Book Week Scotland (16-23 November 2024).

At this homecoming event the writer, poet and activist will speak with Josie – herself a talented writer – about her award-winning poetry collection, ‘May Day’.

Jackie will read poems from the collection and discuss the role of political activism with Josie, shining a light on the passion and impact of people who speak up politically. There will be an opportunity for audience members to get involved with a Q&A session at the end.

This is the highlight of a run of free events being organised by the East Dunbartonshire Leisure & Culture Trust with support from The Scottish Book Trust during Scottish Book Week when books, reading and creative writing will be celebrated.

Although all events are free, numbers are limited so places must be booked. Tickets are available from Eventbrite:

East Dunbartonshire Libraries Events - Upcoming Activities and Tickets on Eventbrite

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on offer:

Literary salon: Jackie Kay in conversation with Josie Long
Hope and the importance of activism
Tuesday 19 November from 7-7.45pm in Bishopbriggs Library 

Maisie Chan: Writing for Children
Wednesday 20 November from 11am – 12noon in Westerton Library

Have you ever thought about writing for children but didn't know where to begin? Join award-winning children's author Maisie Chan for a fun and interactive workshop where you will learn about writing for children. Maisie mentors children's writers and has led workshops for Scottish Book Trust, Arvon and WriteMentor. Give it a go! Suitable for beginners.

Library Zine Workshop: Craft and the art of visual storytelling
Thursday 21 November from11am-12.30pm in Lennoxtown Library

Join us for a craft and storytelling workshop hosted by Coin Operated Press.

In this interactive collaging workshop, you will create a short zine which uses images, cuttings and other materials to tell a story. You will learn about the radical history of DIY publishing, and the role of scrapbooking in unlocking creativity. All materials provided.

Creativity Workshop with Natalie Jayne Clarke: Unlocking your creativity
Other Ways To Be Inspired: Unusual Writing Prompts
Saturday 23 November from 11am-12 noon in William Patrick Library, Kirkintilloch

In this relaxed workshop with poet and author Natalie Clark , we will try a variety of ways to get the creative juices flowing! Ideas come from many places, and imagination is a skill we can develop. You already have so many experiences you can draw from - sometimes all you need is something to jog the mind or new ways to tap into them.  Natalie will bring along a range of objects, images, quotes, and activities for you to try - you choose which ones you do. By the end of the workshop, you will have experimented with a series of sensory, thinking, and writing exercises and will hopefully have some new bits of writing you can work on and develop after the session, plus lots of ways to generate new ideas for your writing. This workshop is suitable for anyone interested in writing creatively at any level of experience. It is suitable for people who want to write prose or poetry.

Gaelic Music event
Saturday 23 November from 3-4pm in Milngavie Library

Join Dr Alasdair C. Whyte – Scottish Government Gaelic Ambassador of the Year 2019 & 2020 and Lecturer at the University of Glasgow – for this talk on the place-names of Greater Glasgow. Showcasing cutting-edge research from his most recent book Glasgow’s Gaelic Place-Names as well as place-names in and around Milngavie and East Dunbartonshire, Alasdair will tell the story of the area through its place-names. Come along and hear about the beginnings of the Gaelic story in the Glasgow area around 1,000 years ago, as well as what Greater Glasgow Gaelic sounded like in the past. Learn about the deep Gaelic roots of places in Glasgow such as Barlinnie, Gartnavel and Shettleston, as well as places in East Dunbartonshire like Lenzie, Twechar and, of course, Milngavie itself. You might even hear a Gaelic song or two composed on the banks of the Clyde. The Glasgow area hasn’t suddenly ‘gone Gaelic’ with new Gaelic schools. The language has been spoken in and around Glasgow for around a millennium. Come along and hear for yourself.

During Book Week Scotland there will also be two free illustration workshops with Helen Kellock and Maria Herbert-Liew suitable for 5-9yr olds and their families. These are on:

• Saturday 16 November  from 10.30am-12.30pm in William Patrick library
• Saturday 16 November  from 1.30-3.30pm in Milngavie Library. 

This is also an opportunity to check out some of the libraries’ most eye-catching displays of illustrated children’s books.

Chair of the East Dunbartonshire Leisure & Culture Trust, Councillor Jim Gibbons, said,

“Once again we have attracted some amazing talent including Jackie Kay to join us and I am sure there is something for everyone during the week. My thanks to all our contributors and to everyone who has worked hard to make these opportunities available to local people.

“Please remember to book as demand is sure to be high.”