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Major exhibition on fantasy at the British Library in London!

I was on the Advisory Board for the exhibition (along with Neil Gaiman, Aliette de Bodard, and Roz Kaveney) and absolutely urge you to go see it if you can, as it was put together with a great deal of care and love by a great team of folks from the British Library and Matthew Sangster from the excellent Centre for Fantasy and the Fantastic.
Terri Windling will be there on 9 November for an event on fairy lore in fantasy and balladry, along with Ellen Kushner, Diane Purkiss, Jeannette Ng, and the amazing ballad singer/collector Sam Lee. More info here:
Terri will also be there on 9 December with book artists and film designers Brian Froud, Wendy Froud, and Alan Lee:
Terri Windling said, via her Facebook page: “This is the “secret project” I’ve been involved with for over a year now, but couldn’t publicly talk about until the BL’s official announcement. Now the word is finally out. If you’re in traveling distance of London from 27 Oct, 2023 to 25 Feb, 2024, please go see it if you possibly can. And if you can’t, there will be a book/catalog published alongside the exhibition containing essays on fantasy by all kinds of good people…including one from me”.

 


Seven Summer Fairy Festivals 2023 – UK & USA!


Seven Summer Fairy Festivals in the UK 2022!

 

Photo: Fairyland Trust Fairy Fair

YOUR FAEVOURITE BOOKS

Would you like to appear in the forthcoming “Authors and Artisans” special edition of FAE Magazine?
Simply take a photo of you holding your FAEvourite fairy book for the opportunity to be featured in FAE! Send your pictures to info@faemagazine.com

Photo credit: Faela Mayflower holding “Faeries” by Brian Froud and Alan Lee. Photo taken by Paule van Wijngaarden

 


“It’s hard to describe. I believe there are Cornish fairies, and if you spend enough time here you will know what I’m talking about. It has captured my heart.”

~ TORI AMOS


Tori’s new album, Ocean to Ocean, was recorded in lockdown in Cornwall. Credit: Tori Amos/Universal Music – Click this link to purchase

Watch full interview on ITV West Country News HERE


FAE Magazine issue #46 Cottingley Fairies edition

 

“Your publication is so pretty, its eye candy, so Fairie Fantastic” Artist Linda Biggs

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According to the BBC website, hundreds of fairy doors have been attached to the bases of trees in Wayford Woods, Crewkerne.

It is claimed the doors have been installed by local people so children can “leave messages for the fairies”.

But trustee Steven Acreman said: “We’ve got little doors everywhere. We’re not anti-fairies but it’s in danger of getting out of control.” READ MORE HERE

FAE’s Editor in Chief, Karen Kay, will be talking live on BBC Local Radio throughout the UK to Mark Forrest about Fairy Doors and why they are so important.

Karen says “As long as the doors are created from natural and biodegradable materials, I believe it is a beautiful thing to do, plus it gives hope to the youngsters, and older ones too!”

Our friends over at the Fairyland Trust say they do not want to discourage making Fairy Houses, “indeed we do it at the Fairy Fair and other events but agree that a balance needs to be struck to make the developments sustainable, and not damaging to the woods.”

They have issued these Fairy Planning Guidelines regarding the installation of Fairy Doors:

1. Avoid using plastic and metal in any Fairy construction, including silver foil, or any non water-based paints.  Fairies do not appreciate these artificial materials.  Instead try to use natural materials which can be nibbled by creatures like Wood Mice, and in the end, grown on by mushrooms and toadstools.  Untreated wood, twigs, hessian, and natural string (eg jute twine) are all good.

2. Magical creatures know that humans provide slides and chairs and other garden furniture with good intentions (at the Fairy Fair we’ve noticed some fairy jacuzzis) but we don’t really use them.  We bathe in Fairy Basins for example (also known as buttercups) and like to sleep on banks of moss and in Cowslip Bells, and shelter from the rain in Wood Sorrel blossoms  – so please leave those for us.  A few snail shells are good as garden ornaments, as are acorn cups, beech-mast and other tree seeds.

3. We noticed that Wayford Wood is an Ancient Woodland, the very best type for Fairies.  It also has lots of lovely Bluebells.  Please never ever trample on these (keep to the paths).  Not only do they look beautiful and smell fantastic but they are vital Fairy equipment. You may have read of folklore that says Fairies ring the Bluebells at midnight to call one another to their revels (parties).  As parties are important, we’d appreciate protecting the Bluebells.  We are unlikely to use any doorways where Bluebells have been squished.
4. Don’t use cement, nails or screws to fix doors to trees.  The trees don’t like it.

A new series with Warwick Davis ‘Weekend Escapes’ is starting on 11th April on ITV at 8pm – AND the Willow Appreciation Society peeps are appearing in the first episode!!!

WEEKEND_ESCAPES_WARWICK_DAVIS

…..The family’s first stop is the middle of an enchanted wood in Launceston where they meet a group of locals dressed up as fairies, pixies, wood elves, merfaes (half mermaid and half fairy) and other woodland creatures. The Willow Appreciation Society  meet up regularly in costume to keep the area’s legends and mystical stories alive.

Warwick says: “Cornwall isn’t all about cream teas and scrumpy it’s a county brimming with magic, mystery and plenty of strange surprises if you scratch beneath the surface.”

You’ll find FAE magazine‘s Editor Karen Kay in the woods with Warwick Davis and his family.

What better time than on Easter Sunday to announce two very special performances taking place at this years 3 Wishes Faery Fest!

Skewbald Theatre Returns to 3 Wishes Faery Fest with daily performances of :

Down the Rabbit Hole – An adventure in Wonderland

and The Clever Baker in Faeryland

2012 marks the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s story of a little girl called Alice who goes searching for adventure. Skewbald Theatre are celebrating by taking audiences on a magical journey through the Mount Edgecombe Estate and into the curiouser and curiouser world of Wonderland. Here the Queen of Hearts is hosting her very own Wonderland Games and only she decides who will win and loose. Can you keep your head? This is a fun packed strolling theatre production suitable for all ages.

The Clever Baker in Faeryland


The Clever Baker in Faeryland – An interactive storytelling adventure for young audiences

Skewbald Theatre bring to life this funny and enchanting folktale from Scotland using their magical ingredients of storytelling, music, song and puppetry. It is the tale of Annie, a wonderful baker who gets stolen away by the King of the fairies to bake cakes for his kingdom.

PERFORMANCE TIMES:

Clever Baker at 11am & 12pm

Down the Rabbit Hole at 3pm-5pm

Performances are included in the ticket price of the 3 Wishes Faery Fest

Get your tickets here

For more info and updates join the Faery Events newsletter here: www.faeryevents.com

The Laidley Worm of Spindleston Heugh

World Première of The Laidley Worm of Spindleston Heugh

Sunday April 29th, Exeter Picturehouse, 11.00am

This magnificent, multi-layered Northumbrian tale tells the story of a princess who is turned into a dragon. The forty minute film by Chagford Filmmaking Group features local children, a giant toad, some scary little imps and a very wicked stepmother. Dozens of volunteers worked alongside industry professionals to create this film of one of our nation’s most compelling fairytales.

Adults £7.00, children £5.00. (suitable for age 6 and above)
visit www.fairytalefilms.co.uk for tickets and further info

Photo credits: The creepy fountain was created by names well-know to FAE readers. Designed by Alan Lee, it was superbly sculpted by Armorel Hamilton and James Ewing. The actress playing the beautiful and evil toad queen is Maxine Fone. Photo credit: Brian Skilton.

Magic Beans and Rainbow Dreams is a beautiful Faery Meditation/Visualisation for Imbolc by Flavia-Kate Peters.

It was published in the 2010 spring edition of FAE magazine, and we are sharing it again here at the blessed time of Imbolc 2012.

This is taken from the spring 2010 edition of FAE Magazine

Visit Flavia-Kate Peter’s website here www.angel-lights.co.uk

Brigid illustration by Patricia Ariel www.patricia-ariel.com

The Colours of Fall:

Walking tours and storytelling in Brocéliande, France


Go in search of the little people (fairies, goblins, dragons …) with a guide storyteller and discover the beautiful fall colours through the woods and moors of Brocéliande, France. Daily departure at 14:30 from the Tourist Office in the Country of Mauron Brocéliande and return around 17:00.
Reservation (subject to availability). Stroll 4 to 5 km in the forest of Brocéliande. Visit the website here: http://broceliande.valsansretour.com

Magic Worlds

at the V&A Museum of Childhood, London
8 October 2011 – 4 March 2012


Delve into the realms of fantasy, illusion and enchantment with our major new exhibition revealing how magic has been embraced for hundreds of years.

Magic Worlds explores the world of fairy tales and fantasy literature, the history and origins of magic and how themes of magic have influenced many artists and writers. The exhibition takes the visitor on a journey into miniature magical worlds, complete with witches, wizards, fairies and magical creatures. Objects on display include costumes, tricks and illusions, film merchandise, optical toys, paintings and ceramics, otherworldly dolls and puppets and illustrated books, together with interactive hands-on activities.

Visit www.vam.ac.uk for further information

Mermaids & Mythology Magazine

Mermaids & Mythology

Mermaids & Mythology is the new sis*star publication to FAE Magazine (Faeries and Enchantment). It will be published 4 times a year and is a ‘real’ full sized, full colour glossy magazine, and will be 100% carbon neutral and printed on FSC paper (just like it’s sis*star FAE).

The logo has been designed by Tamara Newman and the debut issue will feature the stunning artwork of David Delamare, and coverage of the World Mermaid Awards. Plus mermaid fashion, and stories of mythology and more… Mer-Team members include Doreen Virtue, Lucy Cavendish, Melissa Mermaid, Emily Carding, and Editor in Chief, Karen Kay. Visit www.themermaidmagazine.com or join Mermaids & Mythology on Facebook

‘Faery Tale’ author Signe Pike, is to visit the 3 Wishes Faery Fest

Signe Pike

The ‘Faery Tale’ author Signe Pike will be giving a free talk, signing copies of her book and having LOT’S of faery fun! ♥

Signe Pike worked as a book editor in New York City before leaving to write Faery Tale. The non-fiction memoir chronicles her journey from New York City to the rolling hills of England, Ireland, Scotland and beyond as she searched to prove the existence of the illusive and magical beings we call faeries. From the cozy kitchen of Brian and Wendy Froud to the wild and sweeping moors of Scotland, Signe interviewed those brave enough to still believe, in hopes of rediscovering belief herself. As Signe attempts to connect with the spirit world – and reconnect with her sense of wonder – she comes to view both herself and the world around her in a profoundly new light. Captivating, full of heart, and unabashedly whimsical, Faery Tale is more than a memoir-it’s the story of rekindling that spark of belief that makes even the most skeptical among us feel like a child again. She now lives in Charleston, where she is at work on her next exploration into things unseen. Visit her website at  www.signepike.com and for details on the 3 Wishes Faery Fest visit: www.faeryevents.com/faery-events/3wishesfaeryfest/highlights


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