Blether!, a writers' gathering will take place at 7-10pm, Friday 8th October 2004 at The Bothy, Hootananny’s, Inverness.

The evening is a chance for writers and all those interested in writing, reading, thinking, listening and publishing to informally meet, network or just enjoy a programme of readings with an international, national and local outlook.

During the evening, writers will also be given the chance to hear of exciting new developments in the formation of a Highland Writers Association, and news on other vital writing development projects in the region.

Blether is organised by HI~Arts as part of the Inverness Book Festival.    

The evening’s programme features readings from:

- Kevin MacNeil and Willie Campbell
Award winning poet and ex-Astrid guitarist team up in a highly entertaining and original combination of words and music. (see HI~Arts journal for interview / review)

- Aiad Alhiatly
Making his first visit to Inverness from his home in Glasgow, Aiad Alhiatly is a master poet and performer. The political situation in Syria meant that Aiad, after being imprisoned and tortured, had to flee Syria for Turkey and then on to Britain seeking asylum. Aiad’s initial application for asylum in Britain was refused.  An appeal was heard in Glasgow on 16th February 2004 in which he had to “prove that he is a genuine refugee.”

Scottish PEN are campaigning on Aiad’s case, and earlier this year Aiad’s work was featured in a Survivor’s Poetry ‘Daemon’s’ pamphlet on Writers in Exile.  This reading is a unique opportunity to hear a great poet who reads in both Arabic and English.

- Tessa Ransford
Reading her own work and speaking on behalf of PEN and their campaigning work for writers.

- Rody Gorman
The Gaidhlig, Gaelic and English poet, and editor of the Gaidhlig and Gaelic poetry journal An Guth with a reading of his own work.

- Choman Hardi
The 2003 Writing Across Frontiers resident poet at Moniack Mhor whose beautiful writing will enthrall.

Plus… Jim Paterson on the blues trail with an anonymous pianist…all will be revealed!