
Disrupting the Narrative
Disrupting the Narrative is a theatrical performance of poetry from Edinburgh’s out-going Makar, Hannah Lavery, Jeda Pearl, Shasta Ali, Niall Moorjani, and Alycia Pirmohamed. Freshly set to music by composer, Niroshini Thambar, the poets’ work decolonises Edinburgh’s historic collections and key heritage sites. Together, they illuminate how colonial history has shaped the city, its institutions, and its people.
The performance is accompanied by images from photographer, Kat Gollock, exploring Edinburgh’s physical heritage in tandem with its colonial past. This is an important and powerful piece opening the festival, and asks our audiences: how well do you really know our city?
Part of the Edinburgh 900 anniversary programme.
This event will be live-streamed free of charge via the PTBO website.
This event will be BSL interpreted.
Event Sponsors:
Similar Events You May Enjoy...
Cocktail Hour with RJ Hunter
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Tonight, poetry and cocktails combine to create the greatest mix of all! Mixologist Jamie Shields from Ruma will take you through a dizzying array of luscious cocktails, sharing each drink’s story and history. Our poet for the evening, RJ Hunter, will be your poetic aperitif, with a poem to accompany each drink.
Get TicketsImtiaz Dharker: Shadow Reader
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Imtiaz Dharker has long been an internationally acclaimed poet. Her 2023 collection, Shadow Reader, is a radiant criss-cross of encounters, messages and Punjabi proverbs, shot through with the dark thread of unwelcome prophecy.
Hosted by Harriet MacMillan, Imtiaz will speak about the collection and show projections of the illustrations within.
Get TicketsPush the Boat Out Presents: Iona Fyfe and Friends
8:00 pm - 10:15 pm
Doors open at 7:30pm
Push the Boat Out’s Saturday gig is back! Fresh from a triumphant US tour, Iona Fyfe, the award-winning folk singer and Scots Language activist, headlines an unforgettable night of poetry-fused song and sounds. Iona will be joined by Emma Capponi and Fionnbarr Byrne, who bring a captivating blend of folk and ethereal sounds, and Iona Lee and DJ Nikki Kent layering poetic vocals over electrifying beats.
Get Tickets