Scottish Folk Day will take place once more on Monday 23 September, celebrating the country’s lively traditional music scene, and offering a platform for musicians and artists at every level to showcase their talents.
After last year’s highly successful pilot project organisers are calling for people of all backgrounds and abilities to stage performances and workshops, live or online, giving the public the opportunity to connect with the vibrant folk scene in Scotland and right across Europe.
Organised by Scotland’s Traditional Music Forum (TMF), Scottish Folk Day is running in tandem with European Folk Day, held on the same date, which has been conceived and coordinated by the European Folk Network.
Organisers are encouraging anyone interested in folk music, from young learners to stalwart professionals; school classes to established bands, to do something to mark the new annual event.
Whether it’s hosting an in-person performance or participation opportunity, or recording and sharing a musical performance or rendition online, all contributions are eagerly welcomed. Participants can use the hashtags #ScottishFolkDay and #EuropeanFolkDay to showcase the breadth of activity taking place across the continent.
David Francis, Director at Traditional Music Forum, said: “Scotland made a huge contribution to last year’s European Folk Day, with over 50 events posted to the EFD website. It goes to show people’s regard for their traditional music. Scottish Folk Day is a means of celebrating the music and showing it to people in all its variety. It’s something for all ages, abilities and backgrounds to take part in.
“It’s great to be working with the European Folk Network once more, and we’re looking forward to seeing what transpires on September 23”.
European Folk Day aims to offer a collective voice to the European folk community, and to highlight the importance of folk-traditions in the European cultural landscape.
Daina Zalane, Latvian Board member of the European Folk Network said: “We’re looking forward to rolling out European Folk Day once again led by the 150 members of the European Folk Network from 30 European nations. That includes several members from Scotland, with Traditional Music Forum leading the way.
“Taking part in the European Folk Day will be a shared celebration, joining communities across Europe to increase recognition of traditional arts in all their diverse forms.”
Contact:
David Francis, Traditional Music Forum