31/10/2008
Events to mark Homecoming Scotland 2009 have been announced today by the Scottish Parliament. From a Burns Night supper to a conference on the future for Scots and their global family, the Parliament’s activities will contribute to the year-long Homecoming programme of events running until St Andrew’s Day, 30 November 2009.
The year of Homecoming 2009 has been established to mark the anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. As part of the year’s activities, the Scottish Parliament will contribute by hosting a number of events to celebrate the work of Robert Burns and promote Scotland to visitors, particularly those with Scottish ancestry and links.
Announcing a range of activities for the 2009 Year of Homecoming today, Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP said: “I am sure 2009 will be a very special year for the whole of Scotland. Not only will it mark the Scottish Parliament’s 10th anniversary but also the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s national bard Robert Burns. Our events for Homecoming will celebrate Scotland’s rich culture, ancestry and great contributions to the world. We will also seek to encourage appreciation of the poetry of Burns, and showcase the talents of some of Scotland’s leading figures in this key anniversary year.”
The main activities taking place at the Parliament as part of the year of Homecoming 2009 public engagement programme are:
- 21 January 2009: Presiding Officer’s Homecoming Burns Supper. Guests from home and abroad will be invited to a traditional Burns Supper at Holyrood, with entertainment provided by young Scottish talent from across Scotland, highlighting Scotland’s strong traditions in arts and song.
- 21 January – 14 February 2009: ‘as others see us’ portrait exhibition by broad daylight. This contemporary photographic exhibition will launch in the Parliament and then visit a variety of locations across Scotland. The exhibition contains photographs of noteworthy Scots and their response to a chosen Burns work. Sitters range from a clan chief and an Ayrshire farmer to musicians and writers such as Eddi Reader and Christopher Brookmyre.
- 24 July 2009: The Clan Convention, organised by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, will bring together all Scotland's clan chiefs along with clan representatives from across the world. More than 400 delegates from around the world will gather to take part in lively discussions and debate in an event that will be the first of its kind. Delegates will discuss a number of issues including the role of the clan in the 21st century and the contribution of the clans to Scotland historically, and today.
- 25 July 2009: The Scottish Diaspora Forum will bring together leading Scottish and international thinkers from politics, business, arts and civic society to generate a dynamic vision of the future for the Scots and their global family. The Forum will include panel debates, music, theatre, writers and artists, genealogy, innovation and enterprise, and a Dragons' ‘Glen’ pitching for a future vision for Scotland.