New Words 2014

New Words is North-East Scotland's innovative festival exploring the spoken and written word in performance, with events taking place in venues in Aberdeen and towns and villages throughout Aberdeenshire.

This year's festival includes two Surround Sound events at and around the Bennachie Centre – an outdoor opera on the legend of the Maiden Stone by Joe Stollery and Catriona Yule, and a poetry walk and string quartet by Petra Vergunst. Haworth Hodgkinson gives a solo performance of words and music in Glenbuchat, and there are much-anticipated book launches from Ian Crockatt and Richie Brown. Kevin P. Gilday pays a return visit to Aberdeen to appear at a Per-Verse! spoken word night, and there are showcase celebrations of the online poetry phenomenon 52, as well as some of our local writing groups.

New Words 2014 is a little smaller than the festival has been in previous years. Some of our partner organisations have been unable to put on events this year due to funding and other constraints, but despite the difficulties a core of promoters expressed a determination to continue, and they have assembled a festival programme to be proud of. While the number of events may be reduced, we are sure the quality will be as high as ever. Prepare to be entertained, challenged and stimulated!

Most events are modestly priced – some are free – and we avoid clashing events so you can come to as many as you choose. Browse the Event Calendar, be adventurous, visit venues you have never been to before, and find out why those who have discovered the festival keep coming back for more!

New Words 2014 is brought to you by:

Event and Venue Coordinators: Richie Brown, Olivia Farrington, Haworth Hodgkinson, Bill Kelly, Alistair Lawrie, John Mackie, Maureen Ross, Pete Stollery, Pippa Tatham, Petra Vergunst

North East Writers Steering Group: Duncan Lockerbie (chair), Neil Young (secretary), Maureen Ross (treasurer), Cara Stevens, Kit Fryatt, Linda Smith, Ewan Scott

Logo Design: Shade Wizard

Website: Haworth Hodgkinson

New Words 2014 acknowledges the support of:

52 Poetry
Aberdeen Box Office
Arc Publications
Bailies of Bennachie
Bennachie Centre
Better Read Books
Blue Salt Publishing
Books and Beans
Carmelite Hotel
Cellar 35
Forestry Commission Scotland
Glenbuchat Hall
Gordon Forum for the Arts
Hope Scott Trust
Huntly and District Ex-Servicemen's Club
Huntly Writers
Lemon Tree Writers
Maiden Stone Crowdfunding
Mearns Writers
North East Writers
Peacock Visual Arts
Per-Verse!
Poetry at Books and Beans
Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival
Sound
Station Hotel, Stonehaven