Festival 2024

Essence of a Memory Exhibition

Organised by Glasgow Life Libraries

1st – 14th November 2024

The Mitchell Library, 201 North Street, Glasgow G3 7DN

This exhibition is open to the public.

As part of this years’ To Absent Friends Festival, The Mitchell Library will be displaying the Essence of a Memory exhibition.

All kinds of things evoke memories of people who’ve died, and many of them come with an interesting anecdote. The To Absent Friends Essence of a Memory competitions ran over 2014 – 2016. It challenged people to take a photo and write up to 50 words which together evoke a story or memory of a dead loved one. This exhibition shows the winning images from 2014 and 2015. They will be displayed in The Mitchell Library as part of the To Absent Friends festival from 1st – 14th November 2024.

This is a free event – drop in – no booking required.

More information: Essence of a Memory Exhibition — Glasgow Life

Photo credit: Taken from the Glasgow Life Libraries website

Wee Write Family Day Event – Helen Kellock, “Out to Sea"

Organised by Glasgow Life Libraries

Saturday 9th Nov 2024, 11:30am – 12.30pm

Mitchell Library, 201 North Street, Glasgow G3 7DN

This activity is open to children 4+ and their families. Please register in advance.

As part of this years’ Wee Write Family Day, part of Glasgow’s Book Festival for Children and Young People, Glasgow Libraries are hosting a session with Helen Kellock.

Helen is an award-winning illustrator and author based in Glasgow, specialising in books for children. Her published works include: The Star in the Forest (2019), Out to Sea (2021), Scotland: The People, the Places, The Stories (2023), and The Wild Beastie: A Tale from the Isle of Begg (2024). 

Helen’s picture book, Out to Sea, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2022 and described by David Walliams as “one of the most gorgeous picture books [he] has ever seen.”

Out to Sea follows the journey of a young girl named Lara who is so sad after the death of her grandmother that she is carried out to sea on a flood of her own tears. When it seems like sadness has overwhelmed her entirely, she discovers a pearl at the bottom of the ocean that triggers memories of the many happy times Lara shared with her grandmother. With the pearl safely at her side, Lara realises that she is not alone and finds the strength to pick up her oars and row herself back home.

This event is supported by the To Absent Friends small grants scheme.

This is a free event for families, children aged 4+. All children should be accompanied by an adult.

To reserve a place, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/absent-friends-presents-helen-kellock-out-to-sea-tickets-1038886717137

Remembering...

Organised by Inverclyde Royal Hospital Spiritual Care Department

1-7 November

Dining Room on Level B, Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Greenock

This activity is for Inverclyde Royal Hospital staff.

Following an information event held in Demystifying Death Week (around the Bereavement Charter Mark), during Absent Friends Week, in November, Inverclyde Royal Hospital are providing an information stall of what support and resources are in place for bereaved staff. 

We are also seeking feedback as to how well staff have been supported during a personal bereavement. These resources will include links to wider bereavement organisations in our area, as well as within the NHS. There will be space for staff to relax, and be creative with words, art, or to read or write poetry. Just because NHS staff work in an organisation where death and bereavement may be experienced more often, it does not mean staff are not affected by this in their own lives. This event will give staff time to just be and remember loved ones, friends, colleagues, and maybe even share some stories with each other.  

This event is supported by a To Absent Friends small grant.

Song-writing & Recording Workshops: A Tribute to Our Friends in Music

Organised by SoundBite Music & Food Co.

1-7 November

SoundBite, 270A Cumbernauld Road, Glasgow G31 2UL

These workshops are open to the local community of musicians and artists.

Join us for a special week of song-writing and recording workshops from 1-7 November at our studio in Glasgow’s East End. As a social enterprise dedicated to supporting aspiring musicians and creatives, we’re hosting a project that will bring together up to 25 local musicians and artists to collaborate on a meaningful tribute to friends in the industry who have passed away in recent years.

This week of workshops will focus on themes of bereavement and remembrance, offering participants a unique opportunity to process grief through music and creativity. Our professional sound engineers and studio space will be available to guide participants as they write and record original songs that honour their loved ones. This shared experience will provide a therapeutic way to express emotions and celebrate memories through art.

In addition to the music workshops, we’ll offer a space for visual artists to create pieces that complement the musical tributes. Our on-site café will serve free snacks and soft drinks to participants throughout the week. Follow us on social media for more details, and get involved in this powerful community project.

These workshops are supported by a To Absent Friends small grant.