THIS year's special Cumnock Tryst event will host an important conversation looking at the role the arts can play in rural regeneration.

An extended Cumnock Tryst celebration will take place from October 2-6 this year, to mark the 10th anniversary.

In collaboration with the Genesis Foundation and Boswell Book Festival, The Cumnock Tryst will host the latest Genesis Conversation.

The Cumnock Tryst will return in October.The Cumnock Tryst will return in October. (Image: Submitted)

The Genesis Foundation has supported thousands of artists in their career development since 2001, principally in theatre and music.

The Cumnock Hour: Genesis Conversations will mark the festival’s tenth anniversary and will address key issues related to the cultural sector, aiming to raise awareness of the role arts can play in revitalizing rural areas. 

The discussion will be chaired by journalist Iain Macwhirter with the panel comprising James Knox of the Boswell Book Festival, John McAslan (Architect), Alistair Moffat (Writer and journalist), Andrew O’Hagan (Writer), Thursa Sanderson OBE (Chief Executive, Drake Music Scotland) and Gillian Walker (Composer).

The Cumnock Hour: Genesis Conversations will take place at the Dumfries Arms Hotel in Cumnock on Friday, October 4 at 3pm. 

Tickets are priced between £6 and £8.50. A film of the talk will be available for free online after the event.

Across the five days, the festival will welcome some of classical music’s finest performers to East Ayrshire, including pianist Steven Osborne, the Maxwell Quartet, the Gesualdo Six and Joshua Ellicott.

Local favourites return too, including CAMPS (Cumnock Arts Makes People Smile) and the newly formed Cumnock Tryst Ensemble makes its debut.

Tickets for the 2024 festival are on sale at www.thecumnocktryst.com.