Stories

Wigtown Poetry Prize 2021.

/in , /by
Founded in 2005, the Wigtown Poetry Prize is one of the UK’s best established writing competitions and a launchpad for many writers’ careers.
Refreshed and rebranded in 2019, Wigtown Poetry Prize welcomes entries from poets writing in English wherever they may live. Separate categories celebrate the best of Scottish Gaelic and Scots language poetry, a special category acknowledges a rising talent in Dumfries & Galloway, and a pamphlet prize is named in memory of Alastair Reid – local poet and one of Scotland’s foremost literary figures.
The competition closes on 31 May 2021, with a prize-giving at Wigtown Book Festival in the autumn. We hope to see you there.
In Association With:
The Gaelic Books Council.
Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre.
Saltire Society.
Scottish Poetry Library.
StAnza, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival.
Wigtown Prize: £1500.
Runner-up: £200.
Wigtown Scots Prize: £500.
Runner-up: £200
Supported by Saltire Society
Wigtown Scottish Gaelic Prize: £500.
Runner-up: £200.
Supported by The Gaelic Books Council.
Dumfries & Galloway Fresh Voice Award.
Professional support including mentoring by Wigtown Festival Company and a retreat at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre.
Alastair Reid Pamphlet Prize.
30 copies of a pamphlet of your work set by Gerry Cambridge.
Invitation to Read at StAnza 2022.

A winner of one or more categories will be selected at the discretion of StAnza, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival and Wigtown Festival Company.

Those entering Wigtown Scottish Gaelic and Wigtown Scots categories can also submit their poems to be considered for the Wigtown Prize free-of-charge.

Download the flyer HERE (Pdf).

Courtesy of Wigtown Book Festival.

Wigtown Book Festival Podcast: with Sara Baume

/in , /by

We chat with writer and visual artist Sara Baume about her third book, Handiwork, just last week shortlisted for the prestigious Rathbones Folio Prize, it is a contemplative short narrative that charts Sara’s daily process of making and writing, exploring what it is to create and to live as an artist. Short and spare, gentle and devastating, handiwork reflects on the nature of art, grief, bird migration and a life lived well.

https://www.wigtownbookfestival.com/library/podcast-episode-41

Listen to more Wigtown Podcasts HERE

 

 

Scottish Publishers Hail New Annual Event

/in , , /by

With the book trade reeling from the once-in-a-century challenge of the pandemic and lockdown, Scotland’s National Book Town, Wigtown, is the venue for Stellar Words, a new annual sales fair offering hope to publishers.

In June 2021 Stellar Words will bring together small presses, established indies and large trade publishers for an event showcasing books, pamphlets, periodicals, journals, zines, ephemera and digital products. It will link publishers with booksellers, readers, writers and literature stakeholders. With no other event quite like this in Scotland, Stellar Words will champion writing of all genres in all formats and forge connections between all the main characters in a book’s story.

Stellar Words will be free to attend and open to the public. It will initially be held over one day, with the intention to grow it into a weekend-long event with a programme of activities featuring authors and publishers. Held in the County Buildings in Wigtown on June 12th, 2021, the event details will be confirmed subject to the venue’s booking restrictions under Scotland’s local authorities’ COVID-19 safety protocols.

Stellar Words was conceived by Gillian Hamnett, a freelance bookseller, proofreader and arts administrator who has worked in the literature sector for 20 years. She saw the potential for this event and successfully secured investment as part of the Spot-lit project – a multi-partner, multi-regional literary tourism programme funded by the Northern Periphery & Arctic Programme and delivered in Dumfries & Galloway by Wigtown Festival Company. You can find more information here:

https://www.spot-lit.eu/nine-dumfries-galloway-businesses-to-take-part-in-spot-lit-programme/

“I’m thrilled to be organising this event. I wanted to run a Scottish Publishers’ Fair long before the pandemic’s arrival, but it’s now more important than ever to support Scottish Publishing and provide an inclusive platform for the buying public to experience it at a dedicated event. I can’t think of a better place to do that than in Scotland’s National Book Town, alongside local booksellers, writers and readers.”

~ Gillian Hamnett, Founder of Stellar Words

“We were very impressed by Gillian’s proposal to hold an annual publishers’ fair in Wigtown and are thrilled to be able to support the inception of Stellar Words through our work with the Spot-lit programme. It’s a fantastic proposition that has great future potential and it’s exciting to see a new event being added to Wigtown’s annual calendar, especially one that we hope will reinforce the Book Town’s relationship with the literature sector even further.”

~ Isla Rosser-Owen, Cultural Producer, Wigtown Festival Company

“The booksellers of Wigtown are hugely supportive of this exciting new event being initiated in Scotland’s National Book Town. We wish Gillian every success and hope it becomes a regular feature of Wigtown’s growing literary calendar.”

~ The Association Of Wigtown Booksellers

“Publishers work hard to reach new audiences for their authors all year round, but also on the individual building up of their publishing lists and profile. The Scottish Publishers’ Fair gives them a fantastic opportunity and context to meet readers directly and present to them the range of what their companies have to offer. A lovely opportunity in a great location will make this an unmissable event.”

~ Marion Sinclair, Chief Executive, Publishing Scotland

“We are delighted there is now a showcase event to highlight the range, variety and quality of the Scottish publishing industry. It’s something that has needed to be done for a long while.”

~ Hugh Andrew, Managing Director, Birlinn Ltd

“A Scottish Publishers’ fair is a wonderful idea. After a year when we’ve been unable to get together or to showcase the breadth and imagination of publishing in Scotland, this is definitely something to look forward to.”

~ Moira Forsyth, Publishing Director, Sandstone Press

“I’m really looking forward to this long overdue event – adversity often leads to great creativity so I’m sure great things will come from this initiative.”

~ Robbie Porteous, Pocket Mountains Ltd

“Stellar Words looks set to offer a much-needed boost for wee presses such as ourselves. Such a fair would be a welcome addition to the calendar even in the best of times but given the drop off in publishers’ usual sales opportunities over the past few months it’s now particularly important. I couldn’t be more pleased to be involved!”

~ Duncan Lockerbie, Publishing Director, Stewed Rhubarb and Tapsalteerie

 

 

 

National Network for Scotland’s Book Festivals.

/in , /by

Spot-Lit project partner Wigtown Festival Company is establishing a national network for Scotland’s many book festivals.

The new Network, which is initially funded by Creative Scotland, is intended to be a forum for more than 60 festivals across Scotland, large and small, and will concentrate on sharing and establishing best practice and enabling informal exchange between members. It will also collectively advocate for the literary event sector, drawing attention to the cultural, economic, social and educational benefits delivered by festivals.

If you would like to learn more or to sign up for a new Scottish Book Festivals Network eshot, please contact Isla Rosser-Owen isla@wigtownbookfestival.com.

Literary Tourism Performance Model for The Wild Atlantic Way

/in , /by

In May 2020, the Western Development Commission circulated a tender call for a creative partner to develop a Literary Tourism Performance Model for the Wild Atlantic Way, as part of their wider European ‘Spot-Lit.eu Project’. One of the Spot-Lit programme aims is to test models of place-based opportunities in new, innovative, sustainable and creative ways which look beyond the natural landscape and provide appeal based on cultural and literary assets to broaden interest in the region.

Curator/Producer Dani Gill is developing the model with partner Brendan MacEvilly. Dani Gill is the current Artistic Director of Ennis Bookclub Festival, and is the National Literary Audience Development Officer with Words Ireland. Previously she was Director of Cúirt International Festival of Literature, where she managed and delivered three European Projects. Brendan MacEvilly is the Editor of Holy Show magazine and is an independent Literary Producer, having created and toured Minor Monuments, an ‘audio visual essay’ with prize winning writer Ian Malaney in 2019.

Dani Gill                                                                                                          Brendan McEvilly

Together the pair have designed an ambitious Wild Atlantic Way Literary Performance Model, containing a site-specific experience The Lighthouse Project, and a stage show of recent publication Handiwork, by Cork based writer Sara Baume. The Wild Atlantic Way Literary Performance Model will include an impressive list of partners who have signed up to take part in 2021, featuring The Lighthouse Project and the live stage show, as part of their programmes.

The Lighthouse Project includes partners in Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, and Clare, as well as events on the east coast including Dublin, Meath and Louth. Writers will be commissioned to take part in a collaborative process with sound designers, visual artists and theatre makers, to create a walk in the vicinity of a lighthouse. People will be able to download and listen to a track, specially created for the place, with sound and words by a writer in each county. The project will launch in March 2021, at the Ennis Bookclub Festival, featuring Loop Head Lighthouse.

Loop Head Lighhouse, County Clare, Ireland. Image Courtesy of Irishlights.ie

Each month from March to October, a new lighthouse will be featured and people in the locality will get to experience creative walks, peppered with surprises along the way. Commissioning partners involved with the project include Cairde Arts Festival, (Sligo), Creative Ireland, (Mayo), Cúirt International Festival of Literature (Galway), and Earagail Arts Festival (Donegal).

Sara Baume

Musician Irene Buckley will feature in the live stage show, along with writer Sara Baume, and the piece will contain visuals filmed this year around the west of Ireland by filmmaker Jamie Goldrick. Audiences will have literature presented in a format including curated live performances in tandem with pre-recorded elements.

This model is the Republic of Ireland’s contribution to this element of the Spot-Lit project and will be met by other literary initiatives in Finland, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Find Out More About The Spot-lit Literary Models HERE.

Spotlight on Literary Tourism Product Innovation Programme in Northern Finland

/in , , /by

In spring of 2020, Spot-lit project partners in Kainuu, Finland selected seven product development ideas related to literary tourism for development and funding. Today, we are showcasing the seven selected Finnish organisations participating in the Literary Product Innovation Programme (LT-PIP).

“VIENA – Epic Kalevala Adventure”.

Vienan Portti Oy as one of the seven applicants received funding for the development of the free, adventure mobile game “VIENA – Epic Kalevala Adventure”.

The game is based on kalevala’s stories and authentic local history and sites in the poetry villages of  Viena Karelia. The starting point for the design of the game was to make the themes and items it presented known and to attract interest in them, thereby also increasing the tourist potential of the region. In collaboration with Vienan Portti Oy, the game has been completed by Kajak Games Osk, run by students from Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, and its internal game team Radical Red Games.

The game is made in Finnish and English and is available for free download on Android 10 mobile devices from the Google Play store.  Find Out More HERE.

Kainuun Opisto Oy – Cultural Trips in the Footsteps of the Kalevala

Kainuun Opisto is a community college and course centre open to all. The institution is located in Paltamo, on the shores of Lake Oulujärvi. They offer conference and training services, facilities for parties as well as accommodation and catering services. The story of the institution goes back more than 100 years.

Our Literary Tourism Plans:

Tours of 1-4 days to destinations around Kainuu region that Elias Lönnrot visited when he was the district doctor and was collecting the poems for the Finnish national epic The Kalevala. Combining literature with culture, landscapes and nature bringing the tourists a broader understanding of the literature. In addition to culture (music, theatre) and literature, the tour products will involve different experiences such as wellness, exercise, traditional medicine (Kalevala style), nature experiences etc. Transport, accommodation and meals will also be arranged.

Find Out More HERE.

Culture Cooperative G-voima & Vaara Collective: Developing a Dramatic Eino Leino Product Family.

Cultural cooperative G-voima was founded in 2006. Vaara-collective is a performing arts collective founded in 2014, producing high quality creative performing and applied art locally and nationally.

Our home base is at Generaattori (in English, “the Generator”) house of performing arts situated in the centre of Kajaani. Generaattori is managed by G-Voima and the space is shared by contemporary dance production group Routa Company, Kajaani Amateur Theatre and Vaara-Collective. Our operations are quite diverse, annually producing 5-10 theatre and dance premieres, guest performances, residencies, training, concerts, discussion events and other events.

Our Literary Tourism Plans:

In summer 2019, we launched our first Literary Tourism product; the Eino Leino cruise on The SS Kouta, a Finnish steamship built in 1920, with actor Sami Sainio in charachter as the late poet Eino Leino. The cruise will be offered for the full summer 2020 season. (Due to the ship capacity, numbers are limited.) Find Out More HERE.

Veikko Huovinen Society

Veikko Huovinen (1927 –2009) was a novelist who lived in Sotkamo in the Kainuu region. He was trained as a forester and practised this profession from 1953 to 1956, he then began a career as a writer. His writing is known for its realism, pacifism, sharp intellect, and especially a peculiar humour, Huovinen observed and analysed the world closely, often through satire.

Our Literary Tourism Plans:

The sites related to Huovinen in Sotkamo include his grave found in Sotkamo, as well as a statue “Havukka-ahon ajattelija’ by artist Nina Terno and a memorial forest dedicated for him. The Huovinen society also arranges many kinds of annual activities. A replica of his study is open to the public in summertime where items from his original office can be viewed.

Veikko Huovinen society plans to further develop the study of Veikko Huovinen and offer year-round activities. New guided tours based on storytelling will be launched with partners. Connected to this process is also raising awareness of the forgotten writers Heikki Meriläinen and Viena Korhonen of Sotkamo. Find Out More HERE.

Idän Taiga Association – Developing Kalevala for the International Tourist

The Idän Taiga association has about 60 member companies mainly located in Kuhmo and Suomussalmi areas in Eastern Kainuu, marketed under the Wild Taiga brand name. The network of member companies offer opportunities to hike in magnificent, unspoiled nature, watch and photograph wildlife, and also enjoy cultural activities.

Our Literary Tourism Plans:

The network of member companies participating in The Spot-lit Literary Product Innovation Programme have begun work on the development of activities for both domestic and foreign tourists. The activities will bring the Kalevala to life across a range of products and services and support the newly established status of Kuhmo city as a UNESCO City of Literature. Find Out More HERE

Eino Leino House Foundation – Kullervo Play


Poet Eino Leino was born in 1878 in Paltaniemi, where you will find the Eino Leino traditional house, built according to Leino’s childhood home. Today the traditional house is maintained by Eino Leino House Foundation dedicated to showcasing the poet’s life and extensive work. The foundation promotes culture related to the house and its surroundings. One of the important tasks of the foundation is to support research related to both Elias Lönnrot and Eino Leino and the publication of related literature in various forms.

Our Literary Tourism Plans:

With the support from Spot-lit project, Eino Leino house foundation plans to write, direct and pilot one of the cornerstones of Finnish literature, the story of Kullervo, as a play. The play will focus on the Kalevala, the life and work of Elias Lönnrot and the Kainuu region and will include song and dance depicting the Kalevala ‘story telling’ tradition. Find Out More HERE

Suomussalmi Municipality – Hossa Storytelling Bootcamp

Suomussalmi municipality is located in the northern part of Kainuu region, bordering Russia. Known for its pristine nature, strong cultural sector and history. Raate village in Suomussalmi was the setting of decisive battles during the Winter War in 1940.

Supporting the distinctive culture of the region and developing the area of Hossa national park are priorities for Suomussalmi municipality.

Our Literary Tourism Plans:

Development and piloting a storytelling boot camp in the area of Hossa national park, bringing 10-12 writers from literature, theatre and movie industries in for 5 days in 2021. If found feasible, this will be continued as an annual event. Find Out More HERE.

spot-lit project update

Spot-lit Project Update December 2020

/in /by

The Spot-lit project is already half-way through its three year term; we wanted to use this opportunity to give you an update on its progress to date and what we still aim to achieve.

Our literary tourism project term runs from 2018-21 and its core objective, as you may know, is to grow the literary tourism sector in the Northern Periphery and Arctic Region by supporting the organisations and businesses in this culturally-rich region to grow, collaborate and better engage audiences together.

Put simply we aim ‘to put literary tourism on the map’ 

How Are We Doing This?

We are supporting the development of the Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) literary tourism sector using the following development process.

For full details on each of these project elements see further detail below.

  1. A Literary Tourism Business Innovation Programme: we are supporting a number of literary tourism projects and businesses across the region through our ‘Product Innovation Programme’. (See more below)
  2. The Development of Literary Tourism Models: We are developing framework models to facilitate knowledge transfer between the participating project countries to ensure investment within the literary tourism sector and maximise the impact on the regional economy.
  3. A Literary Tourism Methodology Best Practice Guide which will capture the learning of the project and share this knowledge across the NPA region, both within and external to the project partnership.

We are also excited to be launching this month (December 2020) a new Literary Tourism Network. This network of key literary tourism stakeholders and policymakers across the NPA Region involves spot-lit project partners, tourism bodies, businesses, arts councils, creative organisations, the UNESCO Cities of Literature, Edinburgh, Reykjavik and Kuhmo Finland. Facilitated by The Western Development Commission, the network aims to provide policy advice and shared learning and to support the literary tourism sectors collaboration across the NPA region.

In the following sections, we go into further detail regarding the progress of the project elements outlined above. If you would like further information on any of these please do let us know.

1. Spot-lit Literary Tourism Product Innovation Programm (LT-PIP) 

Led by The Western Development Commission and delivered by WDC, ICBAN, Wigtown & Regional Council of Kainuu with expertise and support from City of Literature Edinburgh, The LT-PIP seeks to add value and engage with businesses in the Literary Tourism space.  This involved initially developing a bespoke ‘Business Support Toolkit’ which is a blueprint or guide to help businesses to develop or grow Literary Tourism experiences.

The Toolkit informed the delivery of a business support programme in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Finland and has engaged over 20 businesses who are developing new literary tourism experiences across the partner regions. Each partner country is delivering the programme in a format and structure that meets the need of the businesses in that location.  The Covid 19 Pandemic has resulted in majority of the programme being delivered online but the flexible nature of the toolkit meant this was achievable. Download Spot-lit Business Support Toolkit HERE. (Pdf ). 

A unique and positive outcome of the programme has been the appetite and willingness of businesses to work together, share their ideas and collectively focus on the development of Literary Tourism in their regions. To enhance this further we have begun delivering a Business Exchange Programme where the businesses across the Northern Periphery and Arctic region can network and collaborate and share their learnings of the programme.  Find out more about the businesses developing literary tourism experiences HERE.

2. Literary Tourism Models 

Led by Northern Ireland Partner Arts Over Borders, a literary tourism scoping study was carried out early in the project. The scoping analyzed the unique strengths/opportunities and identified the potential role of small and medium enterprises in establishing literary tourist destinations and products.  It also informed and ensured appropriate positioning of the Literary Models pilot projects in each region. The development and testing of the four pilot projects are currently underway.  These form a complementary, but united set of Literary Tourism test models devised and documented for future transferability, which reflect and capitalise on each region’s unique own sense of place and literary strengths.

The Wild Atlantic Way Literary Performance Model: In the Republic of Ireland, the Western Development Commission offers new insight into Ireland’s great writers by creating a string of performances. This exciting literary programme aims to stimulate cultural tourism, engage local artists and provide a unique literary interaction for audiences. Find out more about The Wild Atlantic Way Literary Performance Model HERE.

Wilde Things Model: In Northern Ireland, “Wilde Town” will celebrate Oscar Wilde’s childhood association with the beautiful community of Enniskillen in rural Fermanagh, having attended school there for seven years.

Spot-lit Digital Solutions: Digital networking is a key element which has taken on new significance since the start of the pandemic. In Finland, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, through the delivery of 13 mobile apps, will provide further awareness and education of literary tourism in the NPA region and encourage transnational awareness across the countries supported in the project.

Childrens Literature Model: South-west Scotland is looking at how the new National Centre for Children’s Literature at Peter Pan Moat Brae House in Dumfries may become a magnet for family tourism across this region.

Spot-lit partners aim to help our local communities directly, our aim is to develop transferable approaches to literary tourism to use throughout the NPA region. As we look towards recovery, tourism that is low on infrastructure, friendly to small SMEs and microbusinesses, low on environmental impact, and engaged with living local culture feels very appealing. Find out more about The Literary Models HERE.

3. Transformative Guide for SMEs in Literary Tourism 

Led by Lapland University of Applied Sciences,  a “Best practice literary tourism methodology/guide” is also under development which will capture key learning from the Business Development Programme and its implementation process.

Having already established an agreed set of economic indicators for the Literary Tourism sector and developed a baseline audit of the NPA area literary tourism activity at project commencement, research continues in order to capture key data. Learning generated through project development and implementation is captured, analysed and made available to project partners and others on a transnational basis. This will enable the creation of best practice guidance in the development of SMEs using literary tourism as a common interest vehicle for development and a growth opportunity. The guide will also enable the quantification of the impact of the development of the Literary Tourism sector in relation to the effectiveness of stimulating SME activity and growth.

The guide which will be available post project will also be circulated to key stakeholders such as national tourism development and SME support organisations, to highlight the potentially positive role of the Literary Tourism sector in market development and SME growth.

And that is the end of our Spot-lit project update for 2020. We look forward to 2021 when we hope the literary tourism sector can enjoy fewer restrictions and more opportunities to welcome people to their destinations. We look forward to delivering many more supports and events with the sector and enabling this growing and creative sector to thrive.

 

Spot-lit Project Develop Literary Business Exchange Programme

/in /by

Spot-lit Partner, The Western Development Commission faciliatated the first Literary Tourism Business Exchange Programme (virtual) meeting on November 4th 2020.

Project Partners and organisations participating in the Literary Product Innovation Programme (LT-PIP) acrosss Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland and Scotland have come together to develop a literary tourism-related cluster giving the businesses an opportunity to network, transfer knowledge and support each other in the development of Literary Tourism.

Businesses/organisations will also jointly and individually have the opportunity to promote their literary products through the Digital App being developed by Kajaani University of Applied Sciences. The digital platform (App) will serve literature associations, organizations and SME’s to digitalize and create content for literature tourism and provide related products and services.

In this first cluster meeting, organisations from Ireland and Finland spoke about the ongoing development of their Literary Products and Services, destination experiences, tourism product development and the Literary assets in each region. Find out more about these exciting developments below.

Literary Products Being Developed in Finland

Literary Products Being Developed in Ireland

Five Irish Projects Participate in Spot-lit Literary Tourism Product Innovation Programme

  • Tertulia Bookshop, Co. Mayo
  • Mayo Celtic Holidays Ltd./Kiltimagh Tourism Association
  • Mayo Celtic Holidays Ltd./Kiltimagh Tourism Association
  • Yeats Thoor Ballylee Development CLG
  • Yeats Thoor Ballylee Development CLG

Literary Products Being Developed in Northern Ireland & Cavan Monaghan.

Spotlight on Literary Tourism Product Innovation Programme in Northern Ireland & Cavan and Monaghan.

  • Iniskeen Enterprise Development Group – Patrick Kavanagh Literature Project
  • Droimnín Destinations
  • The Light Theatre Company – Bloomsday Festival
  • Todd’s Leap Activity Centre –Farrell’s Lanavoye
  • Lurgan & North Armagh George Russell Festival Society (GRFS)
  • Armagh Rhymers – Digital Guidebook
  • Strabane Business Improvement District – Flann O’Brien Literary Programme

Nine Dumfries & Galloway Businesses take part in Spot-lit Programme

  • Galloway Cycling Holidays
  • The Bookshop Band
  • Ellisland Farm
  • Craigmount Bed and Breakfast
  • Mostly Ghostly Tours
  • Dark Sky Pages
  • Dark Sky Pages
  • Webber’s Wildlife Services
  • The Stove Network

Next Cluster Meeting scheduled for January 2021 where we will hear from partners and organisations in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

International Speakers for Spot-lit Partner Meeting

/in /by

‘Strategic opportunities and challenges for literary tourism in a post pandemic world

The session is to commence with two speakers. Spot-lit project partner Teija from Lapland UAS will deliver the introductory presentation on ‘Scene setting’ and during that she will set out the impact of the pandemic on European and global tourism. During this she will draw on some of the findings by LUAS in their work on baseline research and the transformative guide in Spot-lit. This will be followed up by Dr Joseph Sobal, University of South Wales, who will challenge the partners on responding to the opportunities and challenges being created by the pandemic for our project, and also for the various partner organisations.

’Teija Tekoniemi-Selkälä, M.Sc. (Econ), is a Senior Lecturer in Multidimensional Tourism Insitute in Lapland Universitiy of Applied Sciences. She has been involved in tourism industry for 30 years. She has been working both in private and public sectors. In the 1990ties she worked as a project manager and a consultant in tourism business development. Since 1999 she has working as a Senior Lecturer in Lapland UAS. Besides curriculum design, mentoring Bachelor Thesis and teaching  in the international English Degree Programme of Tourism, she acts/has acted as a tourism expert in manifold R&D&I activities in partly EU-funded projects, which have covered topics e.g. literary tourism, destination experiences, tourism product development and foresight. Teija Tekoniemi-Selkälä is also a private entrepreneur (as a hobby), since 2015 she has been a co-owner of a private kindergarten in Rovaniemi.

Joseph Daniel Sobol, Ph.D. is a Professor of Storytelling in the Faculty of Creative Industries in The University of South Wales. From 2000-2017 he was Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Storytelling at East Tennessee State University. His dissertation on the American storytelling revival was published in 1999 by the University of Illinois Press under the title “The Storytellers’ Journey: An American Revival.” He is a co-founder of the Storytelling in Higher Education Special Interest Group of the National Storytelling Network, and a co-founder and co-editor of the journal Storytelling, Self, Society: an Interdisciplinary Journal of Storytelling Studies.

Followed by a discussion between the partners on how we might develop the Spot-lit project and our participating SMEs and LT stakeholders in effectively responding to the challenges and opportunities of these times.

Partners:

 

Associate Partners: