Scottish Storytelling Centre's 20th Anniversary

That the Parliament congratulates the Scottish Storytelling Centre on reaching its 20th anniversary in 2026; acknowledges it as the world’s first purpose-built centre for live storytelling and as a vibrant cultural venue in Edinburgh’s Old Town; notes that, since opening in 2006, it has provided a welcoming space for communities, families and visitors to experience and participate in storytelling and the traditional arts; recognises the Centre’s year-round programme of live storytelling, theatre, music, exhibitions, workshops, family events and festivals, alongside its specially curated Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme showcasing storytelling, music, theatre, spoken word and family performances from Scotland and around the world; acknowledges what it sees as the important role it plays in preserving, celebrating and passing on Scotland’s rich storytelling traditions and cultural heritage to future generations; recognises its ownership by the Church of Scotland and partnership with Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland (TRACS), including its role as a home for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival and as a base for TRACS’s work across Scotland and beyond; welcomes the upcoming Scottish International Storytelling Festival, one of the 11 major Edinburgh festivals; notes that this will take place from 21 to 31 October 2026 and bring together storytellers, artists, musicians and audiences from Scotland and around the world to celebrate the rich tradition and enduring power of oral storytelling; believes the Centre’s ethos of openness, inclusion and shared creativity is reflected in the Scottish Traveller proverb, “The story is told eye to eye, mind to mind and heart to heart”; welcomes the contribution made by the Centre, TRACS, performers, artists, staff, volunteers and partners over the past 20 years, and wishes the Scottish Storytelling Centre continued success as it celebrates this significant milestone, as well as every success for the forthcoming Scottish International Storytelling Festival and its ongoing contribution to Scotland’s cultural life for many years to come.