Of Beginnings and of the North: Tales from Finland and Beyond

Finnish storyteller Riikka Palonen will share ancient stories and songs from Fenno-Baltic, Karelian, and Lappish traditions, hoping to connect us to our beautiful planet, and in doing so create a spell to help heal our dear Mother Earth…worth trying!

Riikka Palonen says that she 'is a barefoot forest girl from Finland. After qualifying as Master of Arts various things turned my life to unexpected paths – and I ended up herding cattle in the Finnish woodlands for 25 years. At the same time I was running my own farmside restaurant, where I started telling stories to entertain my customers. After giving up my farming enterprises I concentrated fully on my artistic work, weaving, bone carving, painting – and storytelling. Another unexpected path opened up 2023, when I followed my newly wed husband and moved to Scotland, along with a suitcase full of stories from my old woods'.

Please note that the venue is on the first floor with no lift access.