Scottish Poetry & Music Evening – VIDEO

On Thursday 10th April, a “Scottish evening” with fabulous poetry reading, in Scots and English, by Scottish writer, poet, actress, director, and singer-songwriter, Gerda Stevenson, along with pipe playing by Lindsay Davidson on the Scottish small pipes.

Gerda read from her acclaimed collection:  “QUINES – Poems in Tribute to Women of Scotland” whilst Lindsay performed a selection of tunes, including his own composition, “Krakowianki”, written for International Women’s Day this year, fittingly recognising the women of Kraków whilst Gerda’s poetry spoke for Scottish women.

Gerda is a masterful and engaging storyteller. She recited a selection of her powerful poems, sharing the story and background behind them, allowing an insight into the subject or woman in the poem. She also treated us to a lovely Scottish song.

Gerda, who lives near Edinburgh, Scotland was visiting Kraków for the first time. Se was kind enough to give a short interview after the event, Look out for that being shared soon.

The event was organised by Zofia Wodniecka and Marcjanna Kubala, of Bilingualism Matters, Kraków.

About the Book
Quines: Poems in tribute to women of Scotland, gives voice to 57 women from BC to the 21st century. The ‘voices’ of the poems range from those of the women featured, to inanimate objects – queens, politicians, a ship, a fish gutter, scientists, a mountain, sportswomen (including a whole football team) and many more.  QUINES celebrates the richly diverse contribution women have made to Scottish history and society.

  “QUINES – Poems in Tribute to Women of Scotland”
  eBook Preview – “QUINES – Poems in Tribute to Women of Scotland”

Reviews:
Quines is a vivid explosion of thought, description and bold opinion, clothing Scots history at last with the myriad contributions of its women. Gerda Stevenson personifies figures often left as dry as dust and reinstates the dignity and complexity of female characters who have helped shape society and reach across the centuries to modern women today. Her use of Scots language and Gaelic phrasing adds authenticity and smeddum. This is a wonderful, life-affirming book.   LESLEY RIDDOCH

Clutch this book of wondrous odes to your bosom – it will gladden your heart, sadden it but also fill you with pride. What women they were that birthed our Scottish nation and here they are, exquisitely brought to vibrant life, by that contemporary cultural quine, Gerda Stevenson.   BARONESS HELENA KENNEDY QC

Gerda Stevenson is an award-winning writer, actor, director, and singer-songwriter who has worked in theatre, TV, opera, radio, and film.

She has presented her poetry and prose at literary festivals throughout the UK and across Europe. 

The founder of Scotland’s leading women’s theatre company, Stellar Quines, she has directed and appeared in many theatre productions and films, including Braveheart, winning a BAFTA for her performance in Margaret Tait’s feature film Blue Black Permanent. Gerda has also directed several films.

Fans of the movie ‘Braveheart’ will recognise Gerda as ‘Mother MacClannough’ the Mother of ‘Murron’ Wallace’s childhood friend and later, his bride.

  www.gerdastevenson.co.uk

Lindsay Davidson
As the first person in the world to study Scottish Bagpipes at a University level, Lindsay has maintained a pioneering role and position in the world of piping, having toured and performed in over 40 countries on 5 continents. 

Lindsay’s mission is to create a shared musical context between Western art and piping traditions. Lindsay’s compositions range from Symphony to opera and concerti, including a double concerto for lever harp and bagpipes. He translated several books and co-founded one of Cracow’s largest international schools.

  www.teachyourselfbagpipes.co.uk

Bilingualism Matters Kraków
Bilingualism is currently a popular topic of scientific research: psychological, educational, and even neuroscientific. However, the results of research in these areas are generally published in specialist journals and presented in a detailed and complex manner.

The primary goal of BM Kraków is to make scientific knowledge reach those who need it most in an accessible form: teachers, psychologists, educators, parents of bilingual children. The activities of our Bilingualism Matters branch are primarily lectures and workshops for parents and practitioners (not only in Polish!) and popularization of the results of the latest research on bilingualism. We also prepare students of our Institute and University to work with bilingual and multicultural people based on current scientific knowledge.

However, we do not want our actions to be a statement from only one side. We want to establish a dialogue that will help us understand the needs of bilingual people and their environment, in order to adapt our message to those needs.

   Bilingualism Matters Kraków. 
(curiously for a project on bilingualism, the site is in Polish only,. you’re going to need Google Translate!)

Kraków Celtic Festival
The inaugural Kraków Celtic Festival will be a celebration of Celtic culture, music, and traditions, right here in the heart of Poland! 

For the first time, in early September 2025, Krakow will become a vibrant hub of Celtic Culture.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Celtic culture and heritage, of the Celtic Nations (Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Isle of Man, Brittany and Cornwall) or simply curious to explore something new, this festival promises an unforgettable experience for everyone!