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November
2017.
WOW Festival Perth Success - Returns in 2018

Over 1000 people flocked to Perth for Southbank Centre's Women of the World Festival 2017, the first time the event has been held in Scotland.

Audiences of all ages celebrated the achievements of girls and women and took a frank and creative look at how to achieve gender equality over an action-packed weekend programme of music, dance, theatre, poetry, comedy, yoga, speed mentoring and skateboarding.

Highlights included First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in conversation with WOW Festival founder, Jude Kelly, and the festival's WOWsers - local teenage girls who volunteered and took part in various sessions throughout the weekend - as well as a key note speech from Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop. The festival also saw appearances from high-profile guests such as crime writer Val McDermid, broadcaster Kirsty Wark and comedian Luisa Omielan.

Dates just announced for the festival's return to the Fair City in 2018 are from Friday 28th - 30th September, with planning sessions, known as ‘Thinkins', prior to the festival weekend to discuss what the local community would like included in the upcoming festival programme. Planned for the week commencing 19th March 2018, these will be held throughout Perthshire, with specific venues and times to be confirmed.

Domino Pateman, Senior Programmer for the WOW Festival, said: "We're absolutely delighted that Scotland's very first Women of the World Festival was so successful, bringing together inspirational girls and women from across the country to co-create a vibrant weekend of discussions, debates and performances on how to really move gender equality forward in society.

"Thank you to everyone who contributed to the weekend, to make it such a success and we look forward to returning for more festival highlights in 2018."

Details about next year's programme will be announced in due course as well as ticket information and confirmation about the WOW ‘Thinkins'.

For more information year-round, visit the ‘WOW Women of the World Perth Festival' Facebook and Twitter pages for upcoming news about guest speakers for next year's festival.

[END OF PRESS RELEASE]

IMAGES:

Festival Programmer Lou Brodie, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and WOW Festival Founder Jude Kelly on stage with the festival's WOWsers. (Credit: Christina Riley)