East Neuk Festival hangs out the washing

The 15th annual East Neuk Festival is taking place later this week.

In preparation for this year’s event, running from 26-30 June, the unveiling of The Drying Green has taken place – a large-scale art installation set within the wildflower meadow of the National Trust for Scotland’s Kellie Castle in Pittenweem, Fife.

The Drying Green is the brainchild of festival director, Svend McEwan-Brown, and is the latest in a series of ENF projects to celebrate an aspect of local history and community.

It is inspired by the traditional drying greens still be found in most villages in the East Neuk of Fife – communal places shared by the neighbourhood where clothes are dried, neighbours meet, chat and pass the time.

McEwan-Brown has dreamt up a huge festive space at Kellie Castle with colourful banners threading their way across the meadow creating an art installation which also becomes a maze, a playground for all ages and – on 29 June – the backdrop to a festive afternoon of informal and fun family friendly music and activities including pop up concerts from the Tullis Russell Mills Band. It is created with the support of EventScotland’s Beacon Events Programme.

Svend said: ‘I hope this is very simple but very magical. It’s really a case of taking what was basically a place of work, and turning it into something bright, festive, uplifting – and hopefully fun.’

Having fun at the East Neuk Festival preview is Rory Hattersley-Smith (5), enjoying the windy weather (Photo: Colin Hattersley)

The festival promises to surprise and delight as it fills the hidden corners of Scotland’s coastal area of the East Neuk in Fife with music from Wednesday to Sunday.

Percussionist Colin Currie and his new Colin Currie Quartet make ENF debuts performing the world premiere of a new work by Huw Watkins whilst pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja, the Pavel Haas Quartet and Belcea Quartet come together to present a unique series of five concerts.

The Welsh harpist Catrin Finch and Senegalese kora master Seckou Keita make their ENF debut with a three-concert residency and the music of Erik Satie paired with the hot jazz of Stéphane Grappelli in a special concert from pianist Euan Stevenson and the Tim Kliphuis Trio.

Three ENF regulars also appear with their new bespoke ensembles created especially for the festival: Alec Frank-Gemmill and Alexander Janiczek’s Camerata Janiczek perform Mozart and Handel concerti on period instruments, and Peter Whelan’s handpicked Ensemble Marsyas of wind players from all over Europe promises a magnificent performance of Mozart’s Serenade for 13 Winds.

For full details about The Drying Green and the 2019 East Neuk Festival visit eastneukfestival.com

Tickets available via Hub Tickets HERE.