Highland Sparks

HIGHLAND SPARKS The following article, Highland Sparks, was written for bella caledonia, by George Gunn, From the Province of the Cat, 21.3.24 Let me begin by stating two things which are both true and untrue. One: Scottish theatre is full of talented and energetic artists. Scottish theatre is being pulled apart by managers and bureaucrats.…

The Scottish Languages Bill

Wilson Macleod looks at the new Scottish Languages Bill in the changed political circumstances since the Scottish government consultation was first opened up in June 2023. This article was first posted by bella caledonia. He raises some particular points, but omits the changed political background. Whilst cultural issues have always been a lower priority for…

Who the hell rehabilitated Alistair Campbell?

The following article was written and posted by Ricky from Council Estate Media WHO THE HELL REHABILITATED ALISTAIR CAMPBELL? Are we celebrating our war criminals now? It may have escaped your attention but prior to Alistair Campbell  cosying up  to Rory Stewart and becoming every centrist’s favourite remoaner podcaster, he was the war criminal behind…

Memories of Alan Boylan

MEMORIES OF ALAN BOYLAN (1957 – 2024) In 1996, when socialists and communists across Scotland formed the Scottish Socialist Alliance, a larger-than-life figure came into our lives. Alan Boylan was at that time a member of the SNP Trade Union Group. A loud, brash, working class Dundonian, Alan was looking for answers and was being…

Music, Religion and Struggle

The following article by Gearóid Ó Loingsigh was first posted by Socialist Democracy (Ireland). It examines the complex links between music, religion and opposes the approach taken by many Liberals and Anarchists struggle, which can reinforce the Right in social struggles of the oppressed. MUSIC, RELIGION AND STRUGGLE Religion, struggle and music have gone hand…

The John Maclean Centenary Concert

The following article was written by Jim Aitken and was first posted by Culture Matters. It spotlights the exceptional concert held as part of Celtic Connections in Glasgow’s Concert  Hall. THE JOHN MACLEAN CENTENARY CONCERT Celtic Connections put on a wonderful concert recently, in memory of Scotland’s great Marxist revolutionary, John Maclean (1879 -1923). Glasgow’s magnificent…

To breathe the air of peace – review of Gerda Stevenson’s ‘Tomorrow’s Feast’

Jim Aitken has written this review of Tomorrow’s Feast by Gerda Stevenson which was first posted by Culture Matters. Tomorrow’s Feast is Gerda’s most recent book of poetry, written in English, Lallans and a short item in Gaelic. TO BREATHE THE AIR OF PEACE Tomorrow’s Feast by Gerda Stevenson is her third poetry collection. It is…

Women’s Delegation from Scotland to Rojava

The following article was written by the Women’s Delegation to Rojava and was first posted by bella caledonia. This is one of several  articles we have posted abut the situation in Rojava, which shows reasons to be optimistic under the most challenging conditions WOMEN’S DELEGATION TO ROJAVA On Christmas eve as bombs dropped on Palestine,…

Can Wales still call itself an anti-apartheid nation as Israel continues its genocide in Gaza?

The following article by Palestine Solidarity Campaign groups in Wales was first posted by The Canary. This guest article  assesses  Wales’ position between its opposition to apartheid in South Africa and apartheid in Israel.   CAN WALES STILL CALL ITSELF AN ANTI-APARTHEID NATION AS ISRAEL CONTINUES ITS GENOCIDE IN GAZA? Wales: calling for a ceasefire…

Open Letter in solidarity with Freedom Theatre, Jenin

  The following Open Letter from  Scottish playwrights was first posted at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XnofXamSH8HkFhQyg1rhf4bQbsUrrOJYc2E1qacZQn0/edit   in response to the Israeli military attack on the Freedom Theatre in Jenin on the West Bank. OPEN LETTER IN SOLIDARITY WITH FREEDOM THEATRE (JENIN) As members of the Scottish playwriting community, we are horrified by the news that The Freedom…