Scotland’s Homecoming year, created and timed to mark the 250th anniversary of our national poet Robert Burns, has officially opened with a weekend of celebrations in his honour.
Over the weekend of 23rd-25th January events took place throughout Scotland kicking off the 10-month national programme featuring more than 300 events.
The opening weekend programme included special events in Ayrshire, Edinburgh, Dumfries and Galloway and Glasgow plus an invitation to join the World Famous Burns Supper Celebration, wherever you are in the world.
Iconic Burns was staged in Alloway, Burns' birthplace. Locations in the Ayrshire village including Burns Cottage, The Brig O’ Doon and The Auld Kirk were brought to life in a one-off extravaganza. Some of the UK’s top lighting and design artists are involved in what was unique Burns tribute. Read a preview of the event on The Herald website.
Alloway also hosted the ‘Homecoming Burns Supper’ paying tribute to some of those who keep the legacy of Burns alive today. This event was a centre piece for The World Famous Burns Supper Celebration, supported by The Famous Grouse. Burns suppers around the world will link up for the first time ever on www.burnssupper2009.com. Already, Burns Suppers from the Ukraine to the USA and from Canada to Scotland feature on the site.
Another highlight is Burns Light, a torchlit procession winding through the historic heart of Dumfries. This free event will feature hundreds of lanterns inspired by the works of Burns and paraded past notable locations such as Burns House. The finale takes place at the River Nith where entertainment includes music, film, verse and a spectacular 15 metre high Burns themed fire sculpture.
In Glasgow, Celtic Connections, Europe’s most popular winter music festival, offers its biggest ever celebration of Burns with an especially extended Homecoming programme. Performers from all over the world as well as Scotland’s finest home-grown talent will unite to honour his great legacy with the likes of Sly and Robbie at Jamaican Burns Night, Eddi Reader at Auld Lang Syne and Branford Marsalis in the Homecoming Suite.
In Edinburgh there’s a final chance to see Zig Zag: The Paths of Robert Burns at the National Library of Scotland. This exhibition brings together treasures from the National Burns Collection for the first time and will tour to Aberdeen, Dumfries and Glasgow throughout the Homecoming year. Families can join in the fun with special events at the National Library of Scotland, National Museum of Scotland and the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
http://www.homecomingscotland2009.com/whats-on/burnsweekend.html