Festival 2023

The To Absent Friends festival took place across Scotland from 1-7 November 2023.

It was an opportunity to remember, to tell stories, to celebrate and to reminisce about people who have died but remain important to us.

Information about some of the events that took place is below.

Samhain Dead Good Beach Walk, Storytelling and Sea Dip

A photo of a small beach campfire in an iron hearth with foliage, flowers and fruit beside itOrganised by Andrea Taylor, celebrant

Café Conversations – Remembering Absent Friends

A photo of a bouquet of flowers outdoorsOrganised by Eddleston Cafe Conversations

Grief tending event – a deep sharing circle online

A photograph of a blue wheelOrganised by Grief Tending Scotland

Absent Friends Supper

Logo of No One Dies Alone Ayrshire, which is navy text with a pink featherOrganised by No-One Dies Alone Ayrshire

Gone but Not Forgotten

A photograph of a beach at dusk. It looks very calm and quiet.Organised by North Argyll Carers Centre

Memory Box Making Group

A closeup photo of a pile of coloured pencils. The photo is very saturated to emphasise the colourful paint on the pencils.Organised by NHS Lothian Bereavement Support

Always & Forever

A photo of a group of musicians performing in a cemetery. The sky is blue and they are backed by trees.Organised by Friends of Southern Necropolis

All Strong Forever

A photo of a chocolate cake seen from above. It's decorated with white chocolate discs, dark chocolate flourishes and the words "All Strong Forever" in piping.Organised by All Strong Scotland

Music Memories Together

A cartoon of five women walking with arms linked, seen from the rear. They are all wearing beach pyjamas and hats in various bright colours, and one is carrying a beach bag.Organised by Dumfries Get Together

Celebrating Memories

Event flyer for "Celebrating Memories" repeating text from entry on a cream background.Organised by St Mary's for All in partnership with Arietta Choir

A Musical Toast to Absent Friends

Event poster for "A Musical Toast to Absent Friends", with information repeated in the text of the post arranged on a yellow background.Organised by Houston and Killellan Kirk

The Light of a Distant Star

A photo of two origami paper lanterns, one red and yellow and one pink. They are lit from inside and the background is dark so they glow.Organised by RAMH Acumen 

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