Outwith Festiva laughs and love

MORE than 80 events spanned across five days in Dunfermline for the city’s Outwith Festival, writes Ellidh Aitken.

From foraging and fermenting sessions to baby yoga in the Glen and a masterclass from an award-winning make-up artist, there were plenty of chances to get involved.

There was an international flavour this year with an exhibition from a network of artists and curators from Dunfermline, London, Berlin and Bilbao.

The ‘Manana Inciertos’ – meaning Uncertain Tomorrows – exhibition was displayed at Fire Station Creative and events organised for Outwith were the group’s third collaboration.

KeyMPi, an “anarchic antifascist” band from Berlin, performed at the arts venue, followed by the popular Shiski Disco in partnership with Alan Grieve.

Acclaimed Glasgow poet Kevin Gilday performed spoken word for an engaged crowd at Cafe Wynd as fans and writers of poetry gathered for an hour-long set.

Gilday’s penchant for diving into societal issues was at the forefront of the material he read out on the night.

A politician’s interview with Two Doors Down star Arabella Weir at Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries was sold-out and saw ex-PM Gordon Brown discuss the books that have inspired him, the music that has comforted him, the film and television that have entertained him and the football that has done all three.

Michelle McWilliams, one of Outwith’s organisers, said the boasted double the number of it did last year.

She commented: “We’d like our amazing audiences for su this festival.

“It’s important to say that wit hard work of the local volunt festival wouldn’t be possible a efforts were recently recognise Dunfermline Press when the team won the Community C Judges’ Award.

“Finally, a massive thank yo venues, our funders, supporter the city centre businesses.

“Looking forward to seeing next year!”

• Photos: Matt Robertson.