NAIRN VOICES: Nairn Book & Arts Festival is a year-round process, says artistic director Tanera Astley
by Tanera Astley, Nairn Book and Arts Festival artistic director
On the launch of our 2025 festival on Friday I've been reflecting on our busy year-round efforts.
Our work certainly doesn't stop when festival week ends in early September! We're constantly planning, collaborating and finding new ways to bring arts and culture to Nairn. From scouting locations to creative conversations with potential authors, artists and musicians, there's a lot happening behind the scenes.
As soon as one festival ends, we start planning for the following year. Our team of trustees and committee members works closely with me to shape a lineup that brings something special to the community. We make many visits to potential locations, thinking about logistics and how best to use our local spaces to create memorable experiences for our audiences. A recent example is visiting Nairn’s Harbour to see if a (staged!) sword fight might work there!
Beyond festival week, we support creative experiences in the community throughout the year. At Nairn Academy in March, S3 pupils worked with artist Andrea Turner on a project exploring regrowth, renewal and hope, inspired by Susie Alexander’s hand-stitched triptych, "New Life Rises From the Ashes of Hiroshima" and funded by the festival. Their very moving and original artwork is currently on display at the Nairn Community & Arts Centre and I’d urge everyone to see it before the exhibition ends on June 30.
This spring, we were delighted to bring "The Fantastic Life of Minnie Rubinski" to Nairn. Created by Vision Mechanics, whose Artistic Director Symon Macintyre hails from the town, it offered a unique and world-class theatrical experience right here in Nairn. We’ve also been part of "Beach of Dreams", a UK-wide festival celebrating our coastline, facilitating a mandala-making event on Nairn’s East Beach – a lovely, mindful community experience set against our beautiful coastal landscape.
We've been thrilled to have launched The Astley Prize, our brand new international short story competition for writers aged 16 and up. Designed to support emerging talent and encourage bold new storytelling, entries are open until 30 June. We hope to see a wide range of voices take part. https://www.nairnfestival.co.uk/about/the-astley-prize
In another first for the festival, we launched a Young Musician Competition in partnership with the Rotary Club of Nairn, inviting talented local performers across all genres, with winners offered performance opportunities at this year’s festival and a special Rotary Club event. The first round is in a couple of weeks, and we can’t wait to meet these talented youngsters!
As we prepare for this year’s week-long celebration of culture, I am so thankful for the dedicated volunteers who are the backbone of the festival, generously dedicating their time and energy during festival week to ensure everything runs smoothly. From warm greetings at event entrances to vital behind-the-scenes support, their commitment is invaluable. Every year, we are overwhelmed by the generosity of their time! If you’d like to join the festival family as a volunteer, please come along to our friendly Volunteer drop-in sessions at Nairn Community and Arts Centre on Wednesday, June 25from 10.30am to 12.30pm and from 6pm to 8.30pm to find out more about what’s involved.
So, while festival week remains the highlight of our year, it’s only part of the picture. Whether it’s theatre, community art or music and literature competitions, we’re proud to bring creative energy to Nairn all year round. Now, we’re busy preparing for the announcement of our 2025 festival programme (August 30 – September 7) on 20 June. Stay tuned! www.nairnfestival.co.uk
