Greetings, the heat is growing around the fire that illuminates Scotland's homecoming year, 2009. Here are a couple of items that may interest some. Regards, the other Ron
1. The following from Leith Davis, SFU
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is organising a major one-day conference on Robert Burns and Global Culture in 2009. The conference will reflect on issues such as the global reputation of Burns, the translation and reception of Burns in world literatures, the influence of Burns on the image of Scotland abroad and the continuing celebration of Burns in global culture in statues, music and Burns Supper events.
As Scotland's National Academy, the Royal Society of Edinburgh will host this conference on Scotland's national bard as one of a series of global events to commemorate Burns on the 250th anniversary of his birth. There will be contributions by leading Burns scholars from around the world and there will be plenty of scheduled time for discussion as well as a session on thelatest research on Burns.
Sheena Wellington & Kirsteen McCue will perform at a musical lunch, and an optional Burns Supper with a leading after-dinner speaker is planned for the evening before the conference when there will be an opening lecture by Neal Ascherson. The leading Scottish composer Dr James MacMillan CBE FRSE will introduce a new piece with contributions featuring a performance by the Haydn Trio Eisenstadt at the closing concert.
For further information re the program and registration, go to http://www.rse.org.uk/events/index.htm#burns
2. The following courtesy Jean Hall:
This article can be found on http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/other/display.var.2193513.0.Call_goes_out_for_Scots_to_take_part_in_largestever_clan_Gathering.php
A call has gone out to clanspeople to take part in the largest clan gathering ever held in Scotland.
The Gathering 2009, of which Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, is patron, is being held in Edinburgh. Not since Sir Walter Scott's Royal Pageant in 1822 will so many clans have gathered in one location.
Holyrood Park will be the event's base for a weekend in July next year with members of Caledonian and St Andrew's societies from around the world.
A spokeswoman said that the speed with which they were going was exceeding expectations and organisers wanted to ensure representation from right across Scotland.
Passports have been sold in the US, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Singapore and Romania and individuals and group bookings vary from clan chiefs to Los Angeles fire chiefs and German counts.
In addition to the ticket holders, it is expected more than 30,000 people will travel to Edinburgh to watch.
The Gathering 2009 is a signature event of Homecoming Scotland, a year-long Scottish Government initiative aimed at encouraging those with a passion or connection with Scotland to come home.
The 2009 World Highland Games Heavy Championships will be at the heart of the activities in the park and will draw the world's top "heavy athletes". There will be a strong focus on traditional Highland games activities, top international pipe bands, highland dancing, traditional and contemporary music, and a Taste of Scotland experience.
Another highlight is likely to be a 5000-strong clan parade up the Royal Mile and a historic Pageant of the Clans, on the Castle Esplanade.
Lord Sempill, co-director of the Gathering 2009, said: "As the Gathering is first and foremost a celebration of the contribution that the clans have made to the history and culture of Scotland, it is important that we make every effort to support this unique occasion."
The organisers say that the popularity of Highland games has been falling in Scotland and clan activity is nearly extinct. The opposite is true in some countries. In North America, clan membership exceeds 100,000 and more than 300 Highland Games and festivals are held a year.
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