St Andrews 600th celebrations have eye to the Kaleidoscope

Trapeze artists, live graffiti, interactive art installations and a people-powered cinema are just some of the attractions on offer as musicians including the Peatbog Faeries, Kid Canaveral and Fink head to Kinkell Farm this weekend for Fife’s first ever Kaleidoscope Festival.

Running from 30 September to 2 October it is the last festival of the season and Scotland’s only eco-boutique event; aiming to promote sustainability. The University of St Andrews is contributing to the sustainability components of Kaleidoscope with support from the Estates Environment Team, St Andrews Sustainability Institute, the Sustainable Development Programme, and the Transition team who work to lower the University’s carbon footprint.

Lucy Arndt, Sustainability Intern, Estates Team said:

“Kaleidoscope is an innovative approach to engaging a wide group of people around sustainability. This festival presents the University of St Andrews with a fantastic opportunity to showcase the hotbed of practical and theoretical sustainability activity that is occurring here at the University.”

Taking its name from the invention of former Principal Sir David Brewster, Kaleidoscope adds to the University’s 600th celebrations as a tribute to the University’s history of discovery. What’s more, by promoting green lifestyle choices as a step towards addressing the challenges posed by global warming and the finite nature of fossil fuels; the festival also supports the 600th Anniversary Campaign’s aim to protect and promote Life on Earth. The campaign seeks to raise funds to provide an Energy and Nanomaterials Innovation Centre and build the capacity of the St Andrews Sustainability Institute.

St Andrews has developed a reputation as a leading centre for sustainable development studies and these funding projects will help develop original research, expert global collaborations, study opportunities and staff and student exchanges to address some of the most pressing issues facing humanity in the 21st century.

This weekend’s line up of gypsy, folk and electronica performances gives everyone an opportunity to learn more about sustainability from the University representatives who will be at the event facilitating Carbon Conversations, hosting workshops, and running a survey on wellbeing. At the same time it is also a chance to take part in a unique celebration of music, arts, organic food, beer and wine.

To find out more visit www.kaleidoscopefestival.co.uk