British Ambassador HRM Paul Johnston launches new Scottish collaboration with MoLI

In celebration of the Scottish Year of Story, the Scottish Government in Ireland, British Embassy and British Council have collaborated with the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) to present a year-long collaboration highlighting the links and resonances between Irish and Scottish writing and music.?

The?Literary Cities: Edinburgh?exhibition opens to the public today and will explore the literary links between Ireland and Edinburgh. Focusing on writers like Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson and Arthur Conan Doyle, the exhibition also highlights the role Edinburgh publishers like Blackwood's have played in the careers of Irish writers like WB Yeats. The connection between Scots Gaelic is also presented, with particular reference to the cross-island collaboration?An Leabhar Mór. The exhibition will remain on display until early 2023.

To coincide with the exhibit, MoLI will curate a series of four high-profile salon events titled?Myth / Story / Song?at the museum in April, May, September, and October, featuring some of the most important established/up-and-coming names in Irish and Scottish writing and music. Some of the most important writers in Scotland today will be featured, including Victoria McNulty, Andrew O'Hagan, Donald S Murray, Leyla Josephine, Kirsten Innes, and the Scottish Makar Kathleen Jamie. They will read from and discuss their work alongside Irish writers including Megan Nolan, Deirdre Sullivan, and Maire Zepf.?

The series will also present collaborations and performances by leading Scottish and Irish folk artists - Eddie Reader, Kris Drever, Alasdair Roberts and Brìghde Chaimbeul will perform at the museum alongside Irish folks’ artists Landless, Brigit Mae Power, Radie Peat, with a surprise special guest announcement in May.

All events will be recorded and made available free of charge to the public, creating both an important and lasting document of this important cultural exchange.

The collaboration was launched on Tuesday 15th March at MoLI. Speaking at the launch, the?British Ambassador Mr Paul Johnston?said “I am delighted to be here this evening to launch a new collaboration with MoLI, highlighting the long and intertwined relationship between Irish and Scottish writers and musicians.

“In these dark days for Europe it’s more important than ever that free countries stand together and celebrate and nurture their partnerships, including in the field of culture. Culture at its best, is an expression of liberal free societies and is also one of its greatest gifts. It’s something we must treasure.

“As a Scot, I’m particularly pleased that we in the British Embassy in Ireland, together with the Scottish Government, could support this exhibition. Many of Edinburgh’s literary greats descended from Irish emigrants or have strong connections with Ireland, such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of course, of Sherlock Holmes, who was born in Edinburgh to an Irish mother. I look forward to exploring the exhibition and finding out more about our shared literary histories.”

Also speaking at the launch was the?Head of the Scottish Government Ireland Katy McNeil,?who said “I am delighted that Scottish Government has been able to support Literary Cities here at MoLI. It is particularly apt that it takes place in Scotland’s Year of Stories, which celebrates inspired by, written, or created in Scotland. Stories are a vital part of Scotland’s – and Ireland’s – culture, and every community has a different tale to tell. I look forward to the exciting programme of salon events which celebrate our links in story and music with some of the best talent in Scotland and Ireland.” For further details visit www.moli.ie or click on link below to book events.