Well however you call him there is no denying the extent of his popularity as there are thousands of "Burns Suppers" around the world each January 25th. This year the fanfare was "pumped up" as 2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the bard's birth which is one of the central themes of Scotland's 2009 tourism campaign theme of "Homecoming" (see the side for a link). All over Scotland there were big celebrations and the grocery stores which sell Haggis throughout the year sold out of them as they were in big demand. Seriously, I know that haggis is rather the topic of many jokes in North America but here it is just a common as meatloaf. Often, in speaking with friends and other parents at Harrison's school and asking them about what they are making for supper, I have been told that they are "bakin' or boilin' a haggis".
Well not to be "left out" we had a haggis for supper too. It sounds perhaps like an oxymoron to hear that there is a vegetarian haggis (since it is usually make from sheep intestine, lung, and heart) but the grocery store has a great version made of grains and spice ... we loved the vegetarian haggis that we ate! I didn't bother to recite the Burns poem "ode to a haggis" but we do have a bottle of Glayva (a Scotch liquer that we have the odd nip from now and then).
The theme is also blended into the schools that Harrison and Parker attend. Both of them had "Scottish culture and Scottish pride" days since returning from Christmas. In Harrison's class they have been learning more Scots' language. Something you may not know (I was surprised to learn it) is that Scots' language is not the same as Gaelic. They are completely different ... although both are baffling. Here is one short poem they had to memorize:
Rob Roy gaed tae Alice Springs
Tae teach the quines their Heilan flings.
A kangaroo lowpit on his hat,
Noo he's a tartan bannock flat.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment