If you rang in 2009 singing Auld Lang Syne, then you’ve got a certain Scotsman to thank. His name was Robert Burns, and he’s got a milestone birthday coming up.
Jan. 25 marks the 250th birthday of the Scottish poet and songwriter. He is known for preserving old Scottish melodies and writing poems for the common Scotsman, says Hugh Reekie, president of the St. Andrew’s Society of Ottawa, a local Scottish club.
Burns preserved old melodies by adding lyrics to them, says Reekie. Auld Lang Syne is one of these hybrids. But, according to Reekie, Burns should be remembered most for his humanity.
St. Andrew’s will be celebrating the big day at a west end event. But there will be celebrations in Centretown too.
Christ Church Cathedral, at 420 Sparks St., will be holding a concert of Burns’ songs.“We commemorate significant milestones in the community by not just putting on a performance but also by educating the public,” said John Dennison, the church’s art director.
It’s important to make people aware of Robert Burns, he adds, because he’s a prolific poet that many Canadians share Scottish roots with.
Another local celebration will occur at Centretown United Church on Jan. 23. They’ll be holding a traditional Scottish meal in commemoration of Burn’s birthday, adds Desjardins. It will include Scottish dancing, a parade of the tartans and a toast to the haggis.
The “Toast to the Haggis,” a Burns poem about the traditional Scottish meat dish, shows his humanity and desire to boost morale among low-class, 18th century Scotsmen, Reekie says.
Eating haggis showed you couldn’t afford good meat, he says, “but when Burns wrote this poem, all of a sudden people thought it was all important,” he says.
This toast is almost always recited at Burns-themed dinners, adds Reekie.
Before it’s recited, the haggis is marched into the room by bagpipers, says Desjardins. The chef carries the haggis on a silver platter over his head and walks around the dining room with it so everyone can smell it.
“The toast is so great that you think you’re eating the most wonderful food that ever there was!” she says.
Although Christ Church Cathedral’s Burns festivity is a concert, like Centretown United Church, their celebration has a food-based aspect.
Christ Church Cathedral is collecting non-perishable food items and monetary donations for the Dalhousie Food Cupboard until the Jan. 25 concert. The church will also donate 10 per cent of the concert’s ticket revenue to the Food Cupboard.
The concert, titled My Love is a Red, Red Rose, comes from the name of a Burns love poem. Love is the concert’s theme, says Dennison.
“What’s better than showing love for you neighbour?” he says.
Dennison says there’s been a lot of buzz about people donating money and food at the concert. However, isn’t sure how he’d react to a donation of haggis.
“I don’t expect anyone would donate that, but if they do, it will be well-shared!”
Tickets for the concert can be purchased by calling 613-567-1787. Centretown United Church is also selling tickets for its Burns supper which can be purchased at 613-232-9854.