CELEBRATE  ALL  THINGS  SCOTTISH

ROBERT  BURNS  DAY

25  JANUARY  2013

 

 

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!

And gie's a hand o'thine!

And we'll tak' a right guid-willie waught,

For auld lang syne.

 

      

The annual celebratory tribute to the life, works and spirit of the great Scottish poet, Robert Burns (1759-1796). Celebrated on, or about, the Bard's birthday, January 25th, Burns Suppers range from stentoriously formal gatherings of esthetes and scholars to uproariously informal rave-ups of drunkards and louts. Most Burns Suppers fall in the middle of this range, and adhere, more or less, to some sort of time honoured form which includes the eating of a traditional Scottish meal, the drinking of Scotch whisky, and the recitation of works by, about, and in the spirit of the Bard.

SCOTLAND, Jan. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- It's that time of year again, dig out the tartan and dust off the Toast to the Lassies: it's Burns Night. On January 25 each year, Scots and Scots-at-heart around the world raise a glass to the memory of Bard Robert Burns, as they prepare to pipe in the famous haggis.

Yes, the National Poet of Scotland has his own annual celebration, one of a festive quartet of Scottish winter holidays including St. Andrews Day, Christmas, Hogmanay, and Burns Night. Burns Night is much more than the same old stanzas and rhymes. Kilt-clad Scots and Scottish Americans celebrate the day with a traditional Burns Night Supper, tableside bagpiping, the reading of the "Address to a Haggis" (which opens the meal), whisky, and much more to pay tribute to the legendary bard.

"Burns Night is a great opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate the writings of Scotland's national poet," says Scottish Government Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop . "His works are recognized around the world and his humanity, wit, wisdom and humor are expressed in poetry, writing and song which still has the power to move and touch millions."

A traditional Burns Night Supper features haggis, a savory pudding that usually contains sheep's pluck (heart, liver and lungs) mixed with spices and marinated in an animal's stomach casing. Side dishes include "neeps" (mashed turnips) and "tatties" (minced beef and mashed potatoes). While dining, Burns enthusiasts recite the Bard's best works to the sounds of bagpipes. The first suppers were held in Scotland at the end of the eighteenth century by Robert Burns ' friends and 2013 will mark the 254th anniversary of his birthday.

 

To celebrate the Bard's birthday, here are few fun facts about Robert Burns :

• After Queen Victoria and Christopher Columbus , Robert Burns has more statues dedicated to him around the world than any other non-religious figure.
• J.D. Salinger's famous 1951 novel Catcher in the Rye based its title from a poem by Robert Burns "Comin' Thro' the Rye."
• Bob Dylan selected Burns' 1794 song "A Red, Red Rose " when asked for the source of his greatest creative inspiration.
• John Steinbeck took the title of his 1937 novel Of Mice and Men from a line contained in Burns' poem "To a Mouse:" "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley."
• A miniature book of Robert Burns ' poetry was carried into orbit by astronaut Nick Patrick on a two-week space mission in 2010, completing a 5.7-million mile trip and 217 orbits of the Earth. 
• Robert Burns produced over 550 songs and poems. That averages at around 25 works for each year of his adult life (Burns passed away at 37).