The Bewitching Season

Join German storyteller Suse Weisse at the National Library of Scotland for a captivating exploration of the deep connections between folklore and the natural world.

As the northern winter begins, seasonal festivals mark a time when trees, plants, and herbs are believed to carry both light and darkness — themes that weave through Weisse’s evocative tales.

This event invites audiences to reflect on nature’s rhythms and the mystical traditions that accompany them. Presented as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival it is recommended for adults and older children aged 12 and above.

Suse Weisse is one of Germany’s leading storytellers and she has a special interest in telling and adapting the Grimms’ stories for contemporary audiences. Suse was brought up in Frisia and leads the storytelling programme at Berlin’s University of the Arts.

The 2025 Scottish International Storytelling Festival celebrates traditional storytelling across Scotland under the theme "Lights of the North". From Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway, and through events in Edinburgh and Glasgow, the festival traces a northern arc linking Finland, Iceland, Germany and Norway, with Scotland at its heart. As winter approaches, audiences are invited to gather around stories that connect nature, memory and imagination.