East Neuk Festival - Zulu

In the dramatic setting of the Zulu Gallery at Scottish Fisheries Museum harpist/composer, Esther Swift creates an atmospheric evocation of the story of the Zulu fishing fleets, once ubiquitous in East Scotland.

The Zulu was invented in 1879 (also the year of the Anglo-Zulu War, hence…) and swiftly became the vessel of choice for fishermen all around Scotland’s coasts. Its dominance was ended by World War I, and by the development of steam, then diesel-powered boats. Many of these graceful craft were simply left to rot on the shores – some can still be found.

Esther Swift is creating a piece bringing together community and professional musicians to evoke the boats and the communities that depended on them, the storms they weathered, and the lives they led at sea and on land.