What is Sempervivum?
Sempervivum is an informal network of like-minded people who meet up to explore and celebrate being together and being alive. It’s open to anyone. The main event each year is a week-long residential at Laurieston Hall in Dumfries and Galloway—a chance to shake off the winter and tap into the creative, greening energy of spring.
Sempervivum means “always alive”, expressing a wish to celebrate those impulses which regenerate and enliven us all. Our focus is on community building through creative collaboration and gentle self-enquiry, providing a safe, open environment in which to connect with the self and others in a real way. This year our theme of Taking Stock—Making Stock will look at where we’ve been and where we come from, as individuals and as a community, then give us the chance to cook up some creative and fun projects together!
Thanks for the listening, the laughing,
the playing, the mending.
A wide range of activities and workshops are on offer, generated by participants themselves and members of the Laurieston community. In past years we have enjoyed: singing and song writing, an art exhibition in the woods, making fire sculptures along the river, spoken word and music performance, open-air poetry, stand-up comedy and cabaret, Taizé and peace dances, yoga and circle dance, an equinox bonfire celebration and a labyrinth in the landscape. The vibe is playful and adventurous—you may be inspired to try something new and discover the shoots of a hidden talent!
The suns of Laurieston shone for me,
and warmed my heart. All things are
possible—and probable—at Sempervivum.