Published: 28 Feb 2024
12 young pupils from Hillhead Primary, current title holders of Slam Masters of the Scottish Youth Poetry Slam, were the opening performance at a special parliamentary reception by Creative Scotland to celebrate the arts at the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 20 February.
The pupils performed the winning poem: Nature and individual winner, Lily Blake, performed: ‘Don’t be in Such a Rush to Grow Up’.
The event was hosted by Keith Brown MSP, with Iain Munro, Chief Executive, Creative Scotland and Robert Wilson, Chair, Creative Scotland. Speaking at the event was Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture. Also in attendance were Kaukab Stewart, SNP; Neil Bibby, Scottish Labour; Alexander Stuart, Scottish Conservatives; Michelle Thomson, SNP and more.
Also in attendance were several arts organisations funded by Creative Scotland, including National Theatre of Scotland and other local and national arts organisations. The event celebrated the reach, impact, and diversity of arts funding in Scotland. The school performed their winning group and individual poems to an audience of MSP’s, policy makers and leading arts organisations from across the country.
Iain Munro, Chief Executive at Creative Scotland said: “The opening performance of Hillhead Primary’s bright pupils sent a strong message that the future of arts and culture in Scotland is in safe hands. Their evocative words demonstrated exactly the purpose of the arts – to hold a mirror to ourselves and society to reflect on. Every adult in the room went away with something to think about from these talented young people. They are worthy winners of the Scottish Poetry Slam, and we look forward to hearing more from each of their flourishing creative voices.”
Lois Lurinsky, Deputy Head Teacher, Hillhead Primary School, commented: “Our pupils and staff had a wonderful evening at the Creative Scotland Parliamentary Reception. We were overjoyed to win both the individual and group categories of the Scottish Poetry Slam last year and to be invited to such an exciting event was the icing on the cake! Working with ConFAB has provided our pupils with inspiration to develop their creative poetry skills and last night they were able to experience the thrill of performing for a live audience – an experience I am sure all involved will treasure.”
Rachel McJury, Artistic Director of ConFAB, Founders of Scottish Youth Poetry Slam, said: “It was a wonderful opportunity for the young people, and they were all amazing! We have been running youth poetry slams for 20 years now and witnessing the young people find their voices and share their experiences in such creative, talented, and transformative ways never tires. Creative Scotland’s recognition of the power of the arts to increase wellbeing, self-empowerment and opportunities for young people was greatly received.”
Now in its fifth year, the Scottish Youth Poetry Slam is a bi-annual competition, encouraging young people to embrace language through poetry and spoken word. The project invites young people from the whole of Scotland to take part in music, poetry and performance workshops leading up to Scottish Youth Poetry Slam. The Slam crosses traditional barriers by using fun, youth culture elements to nurture language and literacy and to engage young people in literature and culture and upskill them with creative ways to manage mental health.
