WORLD Gaelic Week (Seachdain na Gàidhlig) has unveiled the first wave of events in its 2024 programme.
The first official nationwide language week of its kind in Scotland, World Gaelic Week will run from 19th - 25th February with the theme ‘Do Chànan. Do Chothrom’, which translates to ‘Your Language. Your Opportunity’.
There will be a range of both in person and online events – from workshops to walking tours, and coffee mornings to cèilidhs – celebrating Scotland’s heritage and cultural identity.
This year, 53 events across 17 council areas have been funded with help from the Small Grants Fund, supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Organisers have also been keen to emphasise that everyone and anyone can get involved, and can add their own event to the week’s programme through the official online diary at: https://seachdainnagaidhlig.scot/events/.
Events are happening across the length and breadth of Scotland and beyond. In Oban, Fèis Latharna will run An Seisean Seinn, a music workshop involving 11-18 year olds from the Oban and Lorn area, with an inclusive, informal performance set to round off the event.
Also in Argyll and Bute, Cardross Primary are running a café for the whole school to attend, as well as parents and the wider community, while Comunn nam Pàrant An Òbain are planning a family ceilidh for all members of the community, providing Gaelic users of all levels an opportunity to use and practise their language skills.
Moray Gaelic Group, along with the University of the Highlands and Islands Moray College, are facilitating a programme that supports learners, speakers and anyone interested in Gaelic history and culture.
Glasgow’s Suas leis a' Bhingo is set to host a Gaelic bingo night in the city, while The Scottish Fisheries Museum Trust Ltd in Fife is running a Herring Lass Working Songs session, exploring Gaelic working songs for museum visitors and local families with an interactive workshop and an outreach session at the Dreel Halls.
A host of communities across the Highlands are taking part, from pottery sessions with Ionad Thròndairnis in Skye to music and movement classes at the Cheryl Heggie School of Dance in Inverness.
Scottish islands are also getting involved, with Fèis Arainn hosting a presentation on the work of John Dewar, on behalf of the Duke of Argyll, and the Comunn na Gàidhlig Ìle inviting members of the community to an afternoon of storytelling and songs associated with the local villages of Islay, with a focus on lost stories and folklore.
This year’s festival will also see daily online workshops for schools take place across the country for the first time, offering resources and workshops that are tailored to suit schools with all levels of Gaelic experience.
Also as part of the 2024 festival, youngsters under the age of 18 will be invited to take part in a T-shirt competition, designing the official merchandise for the 2025 event.
Thursday 22 February will be dubbed Say a Gaelic Phrase Day, with people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds encouraged to film themselves speaking the language and share it on social media, using the hashtag #SeachdainNaGàidhlig2024 or #SayAGaelicPhraseDay.
Joy Dunlop, Director of Seachdain na Gàidhlig, said: “Seachdain na Gàidhlig is an inclusive week, designed to encourage everyone to embrace and express what the Gaelic language signifies to them and act as an important celebration of our cultural identity. Over the past two years, we've witnessed an incredible response, with Gaelic speakers and learners of all proficiencies seizing the opportunity to celebrate and share the language through various creative avenues.
“It’s a very exciting time for the language as we embark on Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2024, which is already boasting a diverse array of confirmed events. Regardless of your fluency, we extend a warm invitation for all to participate, in Scotland and beyond! Whether hosting or attending an event, exploring our website for nearby opportunities or sharing videos of Gaelic phrases, this week is an open door for everyone – regardless of your proficiency level. For those new to Gaelic, this serves as an ideal starting point on your journey. Whoever you are, this is your language and your opportunity.”
