Lunchbreak Concert: North Atlantic Fiddle Convention presents Dà Chòmhlan-Ciùil De Cheathrar - Aberdeen Art Gallery

The North Atlantic Fiddle Convention (NAFCo) celebrates its 25th anniversary in its home city of Aberdeen in June. Enjoy a taster of the festival with Dà Chòmhlan-Ciùil De Cheathrar, a bold new commission written by Simon Thoumire. This innovative work is the first composition written specifically for two live quartets performing together on stage - one classical string quartet and one folk quartet - brought to life by talented young musicians from across Scotland. These two distinct musical traditions meet in real time, resulting in an immersive, collaborative sound world shaped by contrast, dialogue, and connection. Expect a performance that is both artistically ambitious and deeply rooted in the values of NAFCo: cultural exchange, creative collaboration, and celebration of the living musical traditions of Scotland and the wider North Atlantic region.

Simon Thoumire is an accomplished concertina virtuoso and composer with over three decades of professional experience in Scottish traditional music. A past winner of the BBC Radio 2 Young Traditional Musician Award, he is also the founder of Hands Up for Trad, which promotes Scottish music and culture through various projects, including the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award and the Scots Trad Music Awards.

This very special Lunchbreak Concert offers a glimpse of the artistic energy building towards NAFCo 2026, celebrating its 25th anniversary in Aberdeen from 24th to 28th June. The festival brings musicians, dancers, artists and audiences from across Scotland and the wider North Atlantic together for an exciting celebration of traditional music and culture.