BY DANIEL CULLEN
A week of creativity, music and craft making will culminate in a colourful puppet parade through Kyleakin this Saturday 18th July as SEALL’s annual Fèis an Eilein reaches its finale.
Since Saturday 11th July, families, children and local residents have been taking part in a packed programme of workshops inspired by this year’s ‘space’ theme. Participants have been building giant puppets with acclaimed theatre company Vision Mechanics, alongside drama, drumming and stilt-walking sessions, all designed to encourage people of all ages to take part in the festival’s closing celebration.
The free (pay-what-you-can) workshops have transformed Kyleakin into a creative hub throughout the week, with professional artists helping participants create the spectacular costumes, puppets and performances that will take centre stage in the parade.
This year’s programme builds on the success of previous Fèis an Eilein celebrations after last summer, the festival’s ‘Swarm’ parade filled the village with giant bee and flower puppets.
Organiser Ewan Macintyre, Gaelic and community arts development officer at SEALL, said: “Fèis an Eilein is a huge celebration of creativity, artistic expression and all round good fun! This week’s workshops have gone really well with our ‘space’ theme.
We’ve had giant puppet-making, drama, stilt-walking and drumming. There’s something for everyone. A big thanks to Vision Mechanics, Lucie Yavruturk and Tamlin Wiltshire for their work.”
Saturday’s parade will provide the culmination of hundreds of hours of creative work completed throughout the week, bringing together music, theatre, puppetry and community participation in a vibrant celebration through the streets of Kyleakin.
Ewan added: “This week’s work is all in aid of the big finale on Saturday with the Puppet Picnic Parade in Kyleakin. We’ll take all our creations from the week and tour through the streets. The parade departs from the pier at 11am. There’s entertainment from Skye Circus Skills, Skye Wind Band and a special secret live set from a huge Scottish act. Don’t miss it!”
More information is available on the SEALL website – https://www.seall.co.uk/whats-on/
