Community News: Literary week puts Urdu in the spotlight

AN Urdu literary week was launched in Edinburgh today.

There is a large community interested in Urdu and related Asian languages like Punjabi and Hindi in Scotland, with some estimates putting the numbers at are 100,000 strong.

The Urdu scholars and poets are participating from major cities of Scotland, England and from Urdu departments of Universities of Tashkent and Moscow.

Awards For All is a major sponsor of the program of events.

Party meets to net votes

A FLEDGLING political party which advocates free online filesharing is holding a meeting in Edinburgh.

The Pirate Party, which won 43 votes (0.6 per cent) at the recent Liberton/Gilmerton by-election, will meet at The Standing Order, in George Street, from 7pm on Wednesday.

Tony drums up a party

NIGERIAN music legend Tony Allen is set to play in the Capital to mark his 70th birthday and the 50th anniversary of his country's independence.

Once described as "the greatest drummer ever," Allen will play alongside a full Afrobeat orchestra at the HMV Picture House, Lothian Road, on October 2.

Step into youth parliament

THE Scottish Youth Parliament wants Lothian teenagers to get involved with the organisation.

It is offering a year's supply of shoes to the winner of its Picture the Change contest, which encourages youngsters to influence the country's future.

Stars set for King's show

Edinburgh-born actor Brigit Forsyth and Hannah Waterman are to star in the stage adaptation of Nina Bawden's best-selling novel, Carrie's Warat the King's Theatre next month.

The UK tour follows its West End success at the Apollo Theatre last summer.

Learning fair will be an education

A HOST of educational organisations will gather at Pentland Community Centre for a learning fair next month.

Edinburgh, Napier and Queen Margaret universities will join Stevenson College and a raft of community learning groups, such as Volunteer Centre Edinburgh, West Edinburgh Action Group, Skills Development Scotland and the South East Forum at the fare on October 1 from 10am.

Chew on Picasso biter Penrose's new book

ANTONY Penrose - who as a child bit the artist Picasso - is to give a talk at the National Gallery of Scotland.

Mr Penrose first met Picasso when he visited the Penrose family home of Farley Farm House in Chiddlingly, East Sussex, in 1950. They became instant friends and invented their own boisterous game of pretend bull fights. In the excitement Antony bit Picasso, and Picasso bit him right back.

After the talk, on Monday, Mr Penrose will sign copies of his new children's book, The Boy Who Bit Picasso.