Festival Events 2020
COVID-19 has changed the ways we are able to share stories and solace, so the 2020 festival looked different from in previous years. Communities found new ways to come together - gatherings were smaller and more distanced, and more took place online. In these difficult times, the To Absent Friends Festival remained a valued opportunity for sharing memories and human connection.
Remembrance rockery and memorial
Ancaster House Care Home, Crieff
Residents and staff at Ancaster House Care Home have lived through the events of COVID-19 from March 2020, have lost family, friends and acquaintances and due to the restrictions, have not been able to share memories of them or mourn their passing.
As part of the To Absent Friends Festival, staff and residents are creating a remembrance rockery and memorial, decorating and placing rocks in memory of people who have died.
Currently gatherings are limited by restrictions, but the Care Home looks forward to continuing this tradition in the future, with the involvement of family of all ages, children, grandchildren, sons & daughters.
Reminiscence Tree
Alzheimer Scotland on the Isle of Skye are offering the opportunity for people who have lost family, friends to Covid 19, and all those living with dementia or their Carers to add names to a Reminiscence Tree in Portree.
There will be a lone piper, and a local councillor speaker will say a few words in recognition of lives lost to Covid19.
The local bakery will provide cupcakes that can be picked up from the bakery and taken home and give a special thought to those lost.
This will be a sombre but positive way to remember those who have gone before us.
Gone but never to be forgotten.
Remembering Together
25 October. Organised by the Maddoch Centre
A small event to encourage community collective remembering of the many people who have died this year. A memorial tree will be planted and families invited to place a leaf with an inscription on the tree. The tree can then provide a reflective place to visit. Other families can lay memory leaves in the future. Exact details will depend on restrictions in place at the time, but hopes are for a visual presentation of names and photos to run throughout the event and refreshments to be provided.
Seeds of Comfort and Hope
organised by Napier University, Edinburgh
Seeds of Comfort and Hope will create a living and sustainable memorial to those who have died from COVID-19 and for those who have experienced loss more generally.
Flower seeds and bulbs will be distributed in order to create sustainable, wildlife friendly, large or miniature remembrance gardens.
The bulbs/seeds will grow into a living memorial to those who have died either from COVID-19 or other causes, as well as to the wider sense of loss from the pandemic. Pictures of the gardens in bloom will be exhibited either virtually or in a static space depending on the trajectory of the pandemic.
The public and private gardens created will be space where people can come and sit to remember those who have died or reflect on loss more generally whilst watching the flowers bloom.
Walking the land and remembering you
Organised by Falkland Stewardship Trust
A walk and simple ceremony with those who have lost loved ones in 2020 in the beautiful landscape of Falkland Estate.
Subject to Covid-19 guidance, an experienced celebrant will host:
- a welcoming circle to the accompaniment of a gently drum;
- a silent walk to an ancient quarry, picking up fallen leaves on the journey to mourn the departed;
- sitting on a fallen tree, each family member will share a memory in “honour” of the person;
- a time of “release” at a small fire where family members will write and share something about the person who has died – either burning it or taking it home to treasure for now and release when the time is ripe;
- A short closing circle of gratitude
There will also be tree planting around the site, and work with a young maker to help remember this year of loss.
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