We have been spending a lot of time in Edinburgh over the last few weeks, thanks to the Harpies, Fechters and Quines festival. There have been plenty of brilliant events, including film screenings, women’s history talks and fun workshops, including our suffragette rosette making workshops at Stockbridge and Oxgangs libraries, where we had lots of enthusiastic participants who ranged in age from 23 to 83. Though some were a little unsure of their craft skills to start with, everyone produced very beautiful and individual rosettes.
Some were in memory of the suffragettes, some in honour of female relatives and friends, some celebrated the battles fought for women’s rights over the years and one of our participants created a rosette in honour of Mary Wollstonecraft, author of A Vindication of the Rights of Women. There was plenty of serious chat over the glue and ribbon about how much and at the same time how little things have changed for women over the decades, but a very creative and fun time was had by all – as one participant said, “Feminism can be glittery!”
Thanks to all the participants and to the staff of stockbridge and Oxgangs libraries for their support. The Harpies Fechters and Quines programme was developed in partnership with the Bonnie Fechters group and Edinburgh Libraries with support from Edinburgh City Council. The National lifelong learning programme offers learning and workshops opportunities to women and women’s groups across Scotland and is funded by the Scottish Government Equalities Unit.
