Introducing LandWords: a new celebration of literature and land in Falkirk

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Today Edinburgh International Book Festival announces LandWords, a two-weekend festival of words and creativity taking place at Falkirk’s Callendar House this April and May. As part of our Booked! programme and working in partnership with Falkirk Community Trust, we'll be delivering a packed programme bringing together authors, artists, storytellers and audiences to explore identity, history and shifting relationships with place, inspired by the natural environment, built surroundings and historical significance of Callendar House, which holds the town’s archive. LandWords asks whether the official story of the area is the only one that should be shared. Are we telling our own tales of the places that we shape, and that in turn have shaped us?

Full of fun and activity, LandWords offers a mixture of events for all ages to enjoy. Whether it’s a printmaking session for children, nature writing in the garden or a cabaret of local voices, this is your chance to explore Callendar House and its stories with local and international artists alike. In May, meet writers and artists including renowned Kelpies sculptor Andy Scott and James Robertson, while children can join in with interactive book-making workshops. There’s a special series of indoor and outdoor reading and book making workshops too, on everything from poetry to murder mysteries and classic novels.

At the heart of each weekend’s programme is the work of a LandWords residency, coordinated by author Kerry Hudson and artist Donna Rutherford. Since February, Kerry and Donna have been working with pupils from Graeme High School to encourage and collate creative responses to Callendar House, its surroundings, and the participants’ relationships with land and life in Falkirk. Drop-in and make your own contribution to the work during the April weekend, and see the finished pieces showcased and celebrated in May, including the launch of a special LandWords anthology.

A specific series of events for schools and community groups takes place on Friday 13 May, offering the chance to engage with writers and artists, explore land, location and identity, and have fun with words in a unique museum setting.

The full programme is available to download, with tickets priced at £5 (£3.50 concessions) per event on sale via Falkirk Community Trust on Friday 11 March. Tickets can be booked online, by calling 01324 506850, or visit Falkirk Stadium Mon-Fri; Steeple Box Office, High Street on Saturdays until 26 March, or Falkirk Town Hall on Saturdays from 2 April. Depending on availability, tickets may be purchased on the day of the event.

LandWords is a partnership between Falkirk Community Trust and Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Booked! programme, which is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. LandWords is supported by Falkirk Community Schools Charity, and May's events are part of Festival of Museums 2016.