Stirling’s Makar prepares to bow out of role with special celebration

Stirling’s Makar Laura Fyfe is set to step down from her role with a special celebration marking the end of her four-year tenure. Throughout her time as Makar, Laura has used poetry and writing workshops to honour Stirling’s people, places, and history. She has engaged with the community, projected ideas onto the Wallace Monument, and worked to build confidence in aspiring writers. As she concludes her term, a special event on November 15 will feature former Makar Anita Govan discussing Stirling’s literary scene.

The event, hosted by Stirling’s libraries and archives team, invites the public to Central Library to celebrate Laura’s contributions as Stirling’s Makar. Laura will share poems from her latest collection, and Anita Govan will also perform. Reflecting on her time as Makar, Laura expressed her gratitude for Anita’s support and influence on her own poetic journey. Laura, a teacher and writer, has had her work published in various literary magazines and has been involved in writing workshops across Scotland.

Anita Govan, a neurodiverse spoken word poet based in Edinburgh, brings her wealth of experience in the literary world to the celebration. With a career spanning nearly 30 years, Anita has showcased her poetry on international stages and has been recognized for her contributions to the arts. The event, scheduled for November 15 at Central Library, promises an evening of poetry and discussions on Stirling’s rich literary heritage.

To attend the event, interested individuals can reserve a space by contacting Central Library at 01786 237760 or emailing centrallibrary@stirling.gov.uk. The celebration aims to honour Laura Fyfe’s impactful term as Stirling’s Makar and to continue fostering a love for poetry and writing within the community.