info@kingsplace.co.uk Tel 020 7520 1440

Jackie Kay – Scotland Unwrapped

Feature

Jackie Kay CBE is one of Scotland’s foremost poets and novelists, and a guest curator for Scotland Unwrapped. Here she introduces herself and her events.

‘I like the idea that that poetry is as practical as it philosophical, as essential it is elegiac.’

I was Scotland’s Makar from 2016-2021, our equivalent of the Poet Laureate. I love how democratic the word Makar is, how it literally means ‘maker.’ I like the idea that our bards make things, that poetry is as practical as it philosophical, as essential it is elegiac. One of the highlights of my time as Makar was writing to the Scottish Government to ask them if they would consider a poem an ‘essential’ thing for the planned baby box full of essentials – a lovely idea inspired by Finland. To my surprise, they wrote back saying ‘Yes’. I wrote a poem called Welcome Wee one; every baby born in Scotland receives a copy.

Over the course of my long life in writing, I’ve been passionate about the public role that poetry can play – to move the goal posts, to shift the parameters of poetry’s pitch. I’m fascinated by the many stories poetry tells, and in the way that poems mirror our times. Poetry reflects the past and illuminates the present. Scotland, a relatively small country, is a country rich in writers. Literature is in Scotland’s DNA, shot right through the soil. I’m excited to introduce you to a wonderful range of writers who have all luckily landed on earth at the same time.

‘‘I’m passionate about the public role that poetry can play – to move the goal posts, to shift the parameters of poetry’s pitch’ ’

The writers and creatives I’ve chosen for my strand on the Scotland Unwrapped series are fascinated by the complex issue of identity, in what makes us who we are. What even makes us Scottish? What are the things that unite us, rather than divide us?  What are we made of? Scottish writers are at the coal face, asking the questions.  Every so often the country unwraps a new batch of brilliance, so that we are constantly on the verge of asking if we are living through yet another renaissance.

My first event opens with three spectacular poets. Michael Pedersen’s open-hearted, gut-wrenching poems display a huge vocabulary for love; Hannah Lavery has an acute ability to interrogate Scotland’s past, her work is a powerful meditation on race, nationhood and belonging; and William Letford, formerly a roofer, teaches us that ‘memory is alive inside us’ and that we need to discover what is truly essential to our lives.

I’m looking forward to celebrating the launch of my new book May Day with the sublime Suzanne Bonnar whose voice links the blues of the 1920s to the Scottish jazz of now. My new poems cast an eye over several decades of political activism, from the international solidarity of the Glasgow of my childhood, through the feminist, LGBT+ and anti-racist movements of the 80s and 90s, up to the present day and Black Lives Matter.

Woven through the collection is a suite of lyric poems concerning the recent death of my parents: poems of grief and profound change.

Later, I’ll enjoy uncovering the soundtracks to our lives with author Ali Smith, who lights a way through these times we live in offering us companionship in all forms. She weaves the past to the present so that when we read her, we feel we hold all of time in our hands.
Scotland Unwrapped is a treasure trove of writers and musicians who will help us to find purpose and meaning in these surreal and disjointed times.

Recommended articles

Islander at the edge: Aidan O'Rourke

Feature

Introducing Aidan O’Rourke, fiddler, composer, collaborator and guest curator for Scotland Unwrapped.

Read the article

Sam McShane announced as the new Artistic Director of Kings Place

Feature

From 20 May 2024, Sam will work in partnership with Zoë Jeyes (Executive Director) and will lead on our creative…

Read the article

2023 in 10 events, introduced by Helen Wallace

Feature

We asked Executive & Artistic Director Helen Wallace to introduce 10 Kings Place events she will not be missing this…

Read the article

Chris Watson Unwraps Spring - The Old Railway Path

Feature

In a new podcast for Nature Unwrapped, composer, sound recordist and Artist-in-Residence Chris Watson follows an overgrown railway path.

Read the article

10 Fascinating Events for Jewish Book Week Super Fans

Feature

Jewish Book Week Director Claudia Rubenstein recommends 10 events for those JBW fans who can’t get enough of the talks,…

Read the article

10 Unmissable Events for Jewish Book Week First Timers

Feature

With Jewish Book Week just days away, JBW Director Claudia Rubenstein recommends 10 unmissable events for festival first-timers.

Read the article

20 shows for 2020

Feature

Our Nature Unwrapped 2020 programme opened last week with a spectacular series of events and performances from Theatre of Voices, Brian Cox,…

Read the article

19 Events For 2019

Feature

Our 2019 artistic programme started last week with a spectacular performance from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, launching…

Read the article

A Winter Welcome

Feature

You’ll find the lights blazing and the music playing for Christmas at Kings Place

Read the article

The Power and the Story

Feature

Jewish Book Week touches down at Kings Place in March this year. Festival Director Lucy Silver welcomes you to a…

Read the article