Last modified on Tue 22 Dec 2020 11.08 EST
Torchlit processions, fireworks, lasers, concerts, cannons and ceilidhs ⦠Edinburghâs annual new year celebrations are some of the biggest in the world. They span several crowded, fun-packed days and nights and draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to the cityâs streets for a series of giant parties. This year, however, Hogmanay is going online for the first time and a new virtual programme will feature one of the UKâs largest-ever drone shows.
Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam are directors of the entertainment company Underbelly, which has produced Edinburghâs Hogmanay since 2017, along with parts of the fringe and other major UK festivals. They described their plans for this yearâs âproudly Scottishâ celebration: âWith 2020 being the year it has been, we want to ring out the old year and hurry in the new year, with a message of hope at a world-class event.â
KEY events from the successful Big Indy Night In are to be put online over the festive season to spread the independence message. Originally the highlights were only to be made available to those who had bought a ticket for the night but organisers, Voices for Scotland, have decided to make some viewing free of charge because of its significance. “The messages are so important we think everybody needs to hear them,” said Allan Whyte of Voices for Scotland. After the success of last Saturday night, which was hosted by Elaine C Smith and featured speakers and performers such as Dougie MacLean, Jackie Kay, Janey Godley and Val McDermid, the organisation is willing to help others who want to organise independence supporting events in 2001.
Jackie Kay meets Brit Bennett: ‘I can t write about the pandemic. No part of me wants to revisit this year’ Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff
During the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement this summer, books written by black authors were suddenly on everyone’s wishlists and timelines. They climbed to the top of the bestsellers charts and were picked up by avid anti-racists and clueless Instagram influencers alike. They were also left on the shelves by those who ordered them in a blinding flash of white guilt and didn’t bother to read them. Google “black authors 2020” and you’ll get dozens of reading lists. On many, you’ll see Brit Bennett’s novel, The Vanishing Half, published in June. And on others, you’ll find the work of Jackie Kay, the Scots Makar (Scotland’s poet laureate).
âIâm really excited to read your next bookâ: Brit Bennett (left) and Jackie Kay. Photographs: Sean Pressley, Jamal Yussuff-Adelakun. Illustrations: Nasreen Ahmed. All for the Guardian
During the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement this summer, books written by black authors were suddenly on everyoneâs wishlists and timelines. They climbed to the top of the bestsellers charts and were picked up by avid anti-racists and clueless Instagram influencers alike. They were also left on the shelves by those who ordered them in a blinding flash of white guilt and didnât bother to read them. Google âblack authors 2020â and youâll get dozens of reading lists. On many, youâll see Brit Bennettâs novel, The Vanishing Half, published in June. And on others, youâll find the work of Jackie Kay, the Scots Makar (Scotlandâs poet laureate).
Real talkers (clockwise from top left) Munroe Bergdorf, Paapa Essiedu, Mel B, Brit Bennett, Jackie Kay, Nicola Adams, Lennie James and Lolly Adefope. Photographs: Yves Salmon; Emmanuel Robert Owusu-Afram; Sean Pressley; Jamal Yussuff-Adelakun; Chantel King; Anthony Francis; Pedro Oliveira. Illustrations: Nasreen Ahmed. All for the Guardian
Conversations this year have, by necessity, become more intentional than ever. The silence and stillness of the pandemic â which emptied streets, rolled cars into garages, quelled the chatter of local supermarkets â was both soothing and terrifying. No longer would you sit for hours making small talk with your favourite hair braider. No longer would you bump into a friend at the shops. Control over conversations reigned, at a time when the virus was taking over the rest of our lives.