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Big Tent 2007: what the papers said
The Scotsman
BIG TENT FESTIVAL ****
FALKLAND PALACE, FIFE
FIRST thing Sunday morning and my face is transformed into that of a leopard by the Cool Faces face-painting team in the Craft Tent at Falkland's Big Tent Festival. Housed in colourful tents of all shapes and sizes, scattered in the orchard and field behind Falkland Palace, this was an energising event buzzing with activities for all the family, come rain or shine.
Now in its second year, Big Tent's focus on stewardship of the planet is a relaxed, bottom-up affair full of creative thinkers and activists practising their beliefs. At its heart lie thought-provoking Big Question debates. The Future of Wood panel included foresters, furniture-makers and squirrel-spotters in passionate dialogue. The previous day it was ethical food questions and carbon footprint issues. In between I drank tea in a yurt, popped in on a cooking demonstration of local food, listened to some vivid story telling, and watched part of Al Gore's film An Inconvenient Truth sitting on a sofa in - yes - a tent.
The five-linked Kata Tipi Tents of Connections, with their cheeky peaked roofs, housed an inspiring water, wood and stone journey. It moved from Cuban papier-mache artists who had fashioned a massive tree and globe out of recycled materials to a huge hanging xylophone created from water filled bottles via a rushing heart shaped fountain that recycles water.
With performances from La Boum, Moishe's Bagel, The Hazey Janes and the whacky Orkestra del Sol, you could go for the music alone, never mind theatre via Puppet State's magical story The Man Who Planted Trees. Big Tent's local small is beautiful ethos makes it a very special festival indeed. One of Scotland's best kept "new" secrets, its programme simultaneously stimulates body and mind.
What you said
I was wet and cold on Saturday but despite this my family had a fantastic time. It is a great festival, full of quality, information and lots of fun. Aileen
Fantastic music with Orkestra del Sol and Moishe's Bagel. What a treat! Thank you Big Tent. Caroline
I spent the whole of Sunday with my wife and 2 small children at the festival enjoying such a great range of activities - the kids loved the puppets, masking making and face painting. Kevin
I missed last year's event but book me in for Big Tent 2008. It was great! The kata tents were amazing, such an incredibly beautiful place. We loved 'this is not a plastic bag' and I got lots out of the climate change debate'. Jane, Anna and Jamie
We had a great time and were delighted to be sharing the stage with some other fantastic musicians - watchout, you could become the next Glastonbury or T in the Park! Nikki, Drummond Jazz Band
With the benefit of 24 hours of hindsight the extremes of the weather are already becoming part of the heroic myth that will be forged about the weekend. The little pavilion filled with a rather jolly crowd during the rain on Saturday which created a nice atmosphere, and on Sunday sunbathing on the deck seemed to be popular. Duncan
I feel inspired and invigorated. Mandy
What did you think?
We want to know what you loved and what you hated at Big Tent 2007. Please get in touch! Your views and opinions will help make Big Tent 2008 even better. Send an email to: Lesley McLaren, Events Co-ordinator, Falkland Centre for Stewardship lesley@centreforstewardship.org.uk