Stacey Astill will be travelling to Scotland on the 3rd of June to represent the Isle of Man at the annual Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival. In her capacity as first living Manx Bard, Stacey will be part of the “Shoreline Voices” session, described as:

“An exciting new exploration that creates connections and collaborations between our four shorelines that are within sight of each other. From Dumfries and Galloway to the Isle of Man, from Cumbria to Ireland, commerce between these lands has been traditional to the existence of our region for thousands of years. Four of the finest living poets from these areas read and discuss their work with cultural commentators representing the shorelines, revealing new insights and perspectives. This is the first of a series of multidisciplinary events to be organised by InSight over the coming years which will celebrate the conversations we can have with each other.”

The organisers intend this event to foster further projects, and cultural exchanges.

Stacey said of her upcoming trip: “I am very honoured, and excited to be representing the island at such an interesting event. I am looking forward to hearing the work of the other poets, and the discussion, as well as hearing more about the views others have of the island, as I am usually looking out at them!”

Her travel is kindly sponsored by Culture Vannin.

The Bardic tradition is a Celtic one, dating back to the times when the Bard was the spokesperson of a community. In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in the Bardic tradition, and today there are several Bardic Chairs across the British Isles.