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National Poet for Scotland Jackie Kay is launching "Makar to Makar", a weekly series of online literary and musical performances.
Streaming for free on the National Theatre of Scotland's Youtube, Kay will open the series as the first performer on today (Thursday 14th May) at 7pm.
Poet Don Patterson will feature in week two with the rest of the performers to be announced on a week-by-week basis across 16 weeks.
The line-up has been curated by Kay and showcases established talent and emerging voices from Scotland and around the world.
Kay was inspired to curate these events to entertain and accompany people in the era of social distancing. The writers and musicians are being paid, with "Makar to Makar" supporting artists during a difficult period for performers.
Kay commented: "In these harrowing times it has been heartening to see just how much people need poetry, music, art, theatre. The impulse to be creative runs deep in us. It has been our saving grace throughout this crisis. Makar to Makar has been conceived to accompany people in their own homes—to offer solace and hope. A great mix of poetry and music—food for the soul."
Jackie Wylie, artistic director of National Theatre of Scotland, added: "The National Theatre of Scotland is proud to support Jackie Kay’s special lyrical series of events, offering poetry, solace and connection to audiences at home during these difficult times."
The series is produced by National Theatre of Scotland in association with HOME Manchester and Edinburgh International Book Festival and the School of Arts and Media University of Salford.