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Visit Scotland | Alba
Article published 11/02/2022

SPECTRA, Scotland’s festival of light, which commences on Thursday 10 February, announces brand new collaboration with prize-winning literary collective and arts production house, Neu Reekie as it launches 'Writ Large'; a brand-new commission as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.

SPECTRA is Scotland’s festival of light which takes place each February in Aberdeen. Part of the North East’s vibrant, year-round calendar of cultural events, Spectra lights up the winter nights with breath-taking installations, giving locals and tourist alike the perfect opportunity to discover the city in a new way. Spectra is delivered by Curated Place and commissioned by Aberdeen City Council with support from EventScotland as part of the Year of Stories 2022.

Taking place in Aberdeen as part of Spectra from the 10 – 13 February, Writ Large will deliver poetry and prose from some of the country’s most talented writers’ by means of awe-inspiring large-scale projections and colourful neons thanks to the spectacular talent of from Solus Neon Sign Co., scattered around the city centre.

Comprising six commissioned pieces of writing from Neu Reekie poets and creatives Michael Pedersen, Kevin Williamson, Amanda Thomson, Kathryn Joseph, Mae Diansangu and Sheena Blackhall, Writ Large brings the beauty and brilliance of the written word to sites across Aberdeen city centre including Aberdeen Art Gallery, Marischal College, Castlegate, Upper Kirkgate and Schoolhill.

Writ Large is one of more than 60 events making up a nationwide programme supported by EventScotland celebrating the wealth of stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland. 

 

Scotland is the perfect stage for events and this year’s Spectra festival will illuminate Aberdeen and its iconic buildings, showcasing contemporary poetry and prose in dramatic fashion. We are delighted to be supporting this festival as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 as they bring to life six new specially commissioned pieces by some of Scotland’s most talented writers in Writ Large.

From icons of literature to local tales, Scotland’s Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present.

Spectra is Scotland’s festival of light taking place each February in Aberdeen. Part of the North East’s vibrant, year-round calendar of cultural events, Spectra lights up the winter nights with breath-taking installations, giving locals and tourist alike the perfect opportunity to discover the city in a new way.

Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland

Neu! Reekie! are elated to be joining the force and fold of SPECTRA, working with Curated Place and all the sublime artists in their orbit. Together we have summoned a scintillating bunch of writers from across poetry, prose, and music (the realms in between) who’ve produced words that truly coruscate — sentiments worthy of the illuminative futures in store for them.

Neu Reekie

For more information about SPECTRA 2022, and the installations and stories featured throughout Aberdeen between 10 - 13 February, take a look at the SPECTRA website. 

Find out more about how to get involved with Scotland's Year of Stories 2022 and take a look at our new toolkit.

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