Celtic Connections is expected to put Scotland’s rich oral traditions in the spotlight in January.

This is part of a stream of events specially commissioned for the Year of Stories 2022.

Glasgow’s annual folk, roots and world music festival, Celtic Connections presents Whisper the Song. A series of events celebrating the Scottish tradition of storytelling.

Whisper the Song will offer a week of five shows featuring storytellers, poets, writers and 20 renowned musicians. Explore the tradition of passing stories down through the generations, alongside the creation of new tales.

The Year of Scotland Stories highlights, celebrates and promotes the richness of stories inspired, written or created in Scotland.

The following shows will be part of the Celtic Connections event:

1. The scottish world will examine how the tales of Scotland have traveled and been reinvented by the diaspora and the influence they have had on the world.
2. To breathe will highlight concerns about global climate change through a collection of stories from the natural world of Scotland.
3. Homage to the house explore how traditional folk tales, stories and songs are the last link to the homeland of some New Scots.
4. Sing me a story – Leather Seinn laughed Seanchas will see the tradition of Gàidhealtachd storytelling defended. The stories, myths and tales of the Gaels have spanned generations and capture their sense of the world and Scotland’s place in it.
5. Shetland 550: A Peerie Foy will see acclaimed storytellers and musicians from the Shetland Islands come together for a contemporary take on a traditional house ceilidh – or “Peerie Foy”.

Donald Shaw, Creative Producer of Celtic Connections, said: “Stories have long been at the heart of traditional music – the word Celt comes from the Germanic word Keltoi which means ‘secret’, referring to how the Celts did never wrote their stories.

“It seems entirely appropriate that we are starting the Scottish Stories Year with a special series of Celtic Connections events celebrating these rich oral traditions, exploring the many tales and legends that have shaped the diversity of culture, languages and the lifestyles of Scotland.

Shaw continued: “We are proud to be part of such a diverse program of Scottish storytelling events in 2022 and to bring our component, Whisper the Song, to the Glasgow audience in January. We invite the public to share this oral tradition and enjoy stories, old and new, with us.

Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland, said: “We are delighted to support Celtic Connections as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022. From icons of literature to local tales, the year of Scotland’s stories Scotland encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices. , participate in events and explore places, people and cultures related to all forms of our histories, past and present.

“Celtic Connections will be at the heart of an engaging and festive program of nationwide events with their newly commissioned events celebrating Scotland’s rich tradition of stories, interwoven with music, song and film.

Tickets for Celtic Connections 2022 are on sale now on www.celticconnections.com