“Group together to inspire change.” MtC participant 2014
A significant aspect of our work on Mixing The Colours is collective action. Public and private personal safety is a key concern. Working as a group our participants found power in numbers.
We need YOU to continue to challenge sectarianism in a safe way together.
Here’s the lowdown on how you can get involved this summer and beyond.
“It was an entirely positive experience, which isn’t something you can say every day. It felt like I was part of a community that set out to achieve something and did exactly that but the sum of our efforts produced something that went beyond (certainly my) expectations.” MtC Writing Participant
Mixing The Colours at Ibrox Library
Venue: Ibrox Library, 1 Midlock Street, Glasgow, G51 1SL
Date: Wednesday 1st July
Time: 2-3:30pm
Our final Mixing The Colours session in partnership with Glasgow Libraries will be at Ibrox Library. This workshop is particularly relevant for the project given it’s proximity to Ibrox Stadium, the testimonies shared by women local to this area last year and the negativity of their experiences.
“For the first time in 27 years of living in the area of Ibrox, I had the opportunity to speak out about the barriers faced by the BME community in regards to sectarianism.” MtC Film Participant, 2014
We are keen to build on this work and encourage more women to come forward and share their experiences in a non-judgemental and safe space.
“We know not to go out on a match day.” MtC participant 2014
The workshops will feature readings of extracts from the Mixing The Colours: Women Speaking About Sectarianism anthology which provide a unique showcase of women’s insights, and participants will have the opportunity to share their own experiences and visions for the future of Scotland. Participants will also receive a copy of the Mixing The Colours book.
This workshop is FREE to attend – please contact Rebecca Jones at rebecca.jones@womenslibrary.org.uk or by calling 0141 550 2267.
“I have felt so privileged to be part of such a worthy project. It really has highlighted the complexities of challenging sectarianism within our society.” MtC Participant
Mixing The Colours at Dalreoch Day Care Centre
Mixing The Colours will host workshops for the Clients and Carers from Dalreoch Day Care Centre on Thursday 30th and Friday 31st July.
These workshops will feature readings of extracts from the Mixing The Colours: Women Speaking About Sectarianism anthology which provide a unique showcase of women’s insights, and participants will have the opportunity to share their own experiences and visions for the future of Scotland. Participants will also receive a copy of the Mixing The Colours book.
The workshops are closed to the public but if you would like to attend another event or get involved in the project please contact Rebecca Jones at rebecca.jones@womenslibrary.org.uk or by calling 0141 550 2267.
“It made me remember how my experiences of sectarianism had affected me and influenced my life; this was helped by writing about my experiences and performing and hearing others women’s writings.” MtC participant, 2015
Our September to December Programme launches on 11th August 2015.
Mixing The Colours has a packed programme and we warmly invite you to join us at our events across Scotland.
Booking opens on 11th August but you can register your interest by emailing Rebecca Jones rebecca.jones@womenslibrary.org.uk or on 0141 550 2267
Mixing The Colours Story Café Special
Venue: GWL, 23 Landressy St. Bridgeton, Glasgow G40 1BP
Thursday 10th September 12:30-2:30
We are proud to present our first Mixing The Colours Story Café Special in the library space where our anthology entries were conceived. Delving into memories and real life events this collection of stories captures women’s unique experiences on sectarianism, expanding our knowledge beyond a simple matter of men and football. Join us as we take a journey through the generations with tales of childhood altercations for wearing the ‘wrong’ colour of school uniform, the pressure placed on a young mum from a church and husband at odds, and hear an anthem for a Scotland free from sectarianism.
“The MTC project has provided several exciting opportunities to share and learn from experiences of sectarianism, many of them surprising.” MtC Dragon’s Pen Winner 2015
“It’s not just about football!” Inverness Story Café Special
Venue: Inverness, TBC
Date: Saturday 26th September
Time: 2-4pm
Our Mixing The Colours project presents a Story Café Special in Inverness sharing short stories and poems from our anthology. For the first time women’s writing on this issue has been gathered in one publication showing the complexity and diversity of women’s experiences. Join us as we take a journey through the generations with tales of childhood reprimands for ‘dancing to the band’, a cantankerous bigot meeting her comeuppance with hilariously tragic consequences and discover the origins of a scar, betraying the pressures placed on daughters, sisters and mothers in the name of identity, loyalty and belonging.
“The storytelling is an insight into other people’s experiences.” MtC Participant, 2014
Sectarian identities in Scotland and Northern Ireland – Mixing The Colours in conversation with Paul Burgess at Portobello Book Festival.
Venue: Portobello Library 14 Rosefield Avenue, Edinburgh, EH15 1AU United Kingdom
Date: Sunday 4th October
Time: 12:15-1:45pm
In our recent anthology of women’s creative writing Mixing the Colours, Glasgow Women’s Library explores sectarian identities in Scotland through stories and poems. This event places us in discussion with Paul Burgess from Northern Ireland who is similarly interested in sectarian identities, both in his recent novel White Church, Black Mountain, and his most recent academic work The Contested identities of Ulster Protestants.
Book your place in person at Portobello Library or through Glasgow Women’s Library by calling 0141 550 2267 or email rebecca.jones@womenslibrary.org.uk
Black Dingo Productions presents Creepie Stool by Jen McGregor
Venue: GWL, 23 Landressy St. Bridgeton, Glasgow G40 1BP
Date: TBC but likely Friday 23rd October or Friday 30th October
Time: 7-8pm
Tickets: £5/FREE Concession
In partnership with Just Festival and Black Dingo Productions, Glasgow Women’s Library is proud to host Creepie Stool by Scottish Playwright, Jen McGregor.
Set in Edinburgh, 1637, this captivating historical drama deals with the story of Jenny Geddes. Cabbage seller Jenny flings a stool at a minister and starts a riot in St Giles. Calvinists and Catholics clash on city streets and Jenny’s employer demands an explanation – leading to unwelcome discoveries behind closed doors.
Stories without Borders, Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Venue: Glasgow Women’s Library, 23 Landressy Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow G40 1BP
Date: Saturday 24th October 2015
Time: 1-3pm
This ten-day celebration of live storytelling, oral traditions and cultural diversity, brings together a large number of Scottish and international storytellers and musicians.
This year Glasgow Women’s Library are part of the Festival on Tour strand bringing audiences to Glasgow’s East End to fully celebrate its rich storytelling traditions and to ensure all can celebrate the magic of sharing tales. With the theme of Stories Without Borders GWL’s Mixing The Colours writers and performers share their groundbreaking stories of women’s experiences of sectarianism in Scotland. The Mixing The Colours publication is a historically important anthology of stories told with humility and sensitivity. Join us for a journey through generations as a child keenly observes her mother’s foreign tongue, an adult daughter feels the emotional impact of her rejection of her father’s values, and a dark-humoured tale of bonfire night and an elderly bigot’s comeuppance.
“I was so enthused at being able to take part in Mixing the Colours and think that sectarianism in all forms should be addressed in a safe and comfortable environment.”
MtC Participant, 2015
Mixing The Colours at the16 Days of Action Against Violence Against Women
Venue: Stirlingshire, Falkirk, Clackmananshire
Date/s: Wednesday 25th November – Wednesday 9th December 2015
Time/s: Various – TBC
As part of the 16 Days of Action Against Violence Against Women our Mixing The Colours project is working in partnership with Stirlingshire Council to present a series of workshops and events across Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire.
Exploring the intersection of sectarianism and violence against women we will be delivering community workshops looking at the gendered ownership of our public spaces and how women modify their behaviour to keep themselves safe from anti-social behaviour, intimidation and violence. We will also look at the private pressures on women to uphold family values that compromise their own beliefs and hopes.
“This was a really nice workshop. It made me realise my own experience is important.” MtC Participant 2013
Get involved from the comfort of your home!
All of the resources produced by Mixing The Colours are available on our website as well as the newly updated Action on Sectarianism Directory
Share your feedback with us via twitter @gwlkettle #mixingthecolours or by email rachel.thain-gray@womenslibrary.org.uk
“Mixing the Colours has given me a forum to express and explore the scar that sectarianism has left on me but also filled me with hope that the issue is being addressed by positive action to stamp it out across Scotland.” MtC Participant, 2015
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