SALTIRE AWARDS
*Ali Smith Free Love
*William McIlvanney The Kiln
Kate Clanchy Slattern
Bernard MacLaverty Grace Notes
Robin Robertson A Painted Field
Alan Warner The Sopranos
Christopher Wallace The Pied Piper’s Poison
Dennis O’Donnell Two Clocks Ticking
George Bruce Pursuits
*Michael Faber Rain Must Fall
Ronald Frame The Lantern Bearers
Douglas Galbraith The Rising Sun
Hamish Henderson Collected Poems & Songs
*Liz Lochhead Medea
Meaghan Delahunt In the Blue House
Janice Galloway Clara
*Liam McIlvanney Burns the Radical
*Louise Welsh The Cutting Room
James Robertson Joseph Knight
Martainn Mac an t-Saoir Ath - Aithne
*Andrew Greig In Another Light
*Peter Hill Stargazing
*Kate Atkinson Case Histories
John Aberdein Amande's Bed
*denotes books and authors that I particularly enjoy.
Showing posts with label Scotland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scotland. Show all posts
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Tartan Day in America
Tartan Day
Tartan Day celebrates the existing and historical links between Scotland and Scottish descendants overseas. In the United States there are over 11 million people who claim Scots descent, and most take pride in the transatlantic connection. In North America, Tartan Day is held on April 6, the anniversary of the date on which the Declaration of Arbroath was created in 1320, whereas in Australia and New Zealand, it is held on July 1, the anniversary of the repeal of the Act of Proscription in 1782.
Tartan Day was first proposed by Jean Watson, who petitioned throughout Canada for its recognition. Nova Scotia was the first to celebrate in 1987, with gradually all provinces recognising the day/event. In 1998, the US Senate officially recognised the date of 6 April as a celebration for the contribution made by generations of Scots-Americansto the foundation and prosperity of modern America.
The date is significant as it commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, the first known formal Declaration of independence. Not only was the United States Declaration of Independence modelled on that document, but almost half of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Scottish descent and the Governors in 9 of the original 13 States were of Scottish ancestry.
Tartan Day is now firmly part of the North American calendar. Supporters of the event call it a signal of the strengthening Scots-Canadian/American relationship in the 21st century. The Tunes of Glory Parade in 2002 saw 10,000 pipers and drummers march through the streets of New York. Each year, pipers prepare for this event! They are the centrepiece of the event where thousands of Americans celebrate their links to Scotland. One of Scotland's national treasures, William Wallace's sword, left Scotland for the first time in 700 years and was flown to New York for the Tartan Week celebrations of 2005. Equally large events are held in Washington DC and other places in the US and Canada.
Tartan Day celebrates the existing and historical links between Scotland and Scottish descendants overseas. In the United States there are over 11 million people who claim Scots descent, and most take pride in the transatlantic connection. In North America, Tartan Day is held on April 6, the anniversary of the date on which the Declaration of Arbroath was created in 1320, whereas in Australia and New Zealand, it is held on July 1, the anniversary of the repeal of the Act of Proscription in 1782.
Tartan Day was first proposed by Jean Watson, who petitioned throughout Canada for its recognition. Nova Scotia was the first to celebrate in 1987, with gradually all provinces recognising the day/event. In 1998, the US Senate officially recognised the date of 6 April as a celebration for the contribution made by generations of Scots-Americansto the foundation and prosperity of modern America.
The date is significant as it commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, the first known formal Declaration of independence. Not only was the United States Declaration of Independence modelled on that document, but almost half of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Scottish descent and the Governors in 9 of the original 13 States were of Scottish ancestry.
Tartan Day is now firmly part of the North American calendar. Supporters of the event call it a signal of the strengthening Scots-Canadian/American relationship in the 21st century. The Tunes of Glory Parade in 2002 saw 10,000 pipers and drummers march through the streets of New York. Each year, pipers prepare for this event! They are the centrepiece of the event where thousands of Americans celebrate their links to Scotland. One of Scotland's national treasures, William Wallace's sword, left Scotland for the first time in 700 years and was flown to New York for the Tartan Week celebrations of 2005. Equally large events are held in Washington DC and other places in the US and Canada.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Henry James: A life in Letters Philip Horne (ed)
We were reading Henry James in our Literature into Film bookclub at the Library, and as complimentary reading I got this out of the library. What a delightful find, especially with footnotes! I liked the fact that this is a 'real and best biography'. I hunted for the people he corresponded with that I knew and liked (RLStevenson, Edith Wharton, HGWells) before heading to read about people he knew and discussed (e.g. Hopper). Horne is also a wonderful biographer of James, and has a series of books on him.
This was also 'appropriate' reading selection because Henry James was of scottish and irish ancestry, and last week was the Burns Supper all around the world, in recognition of Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet. So I was of course reading Burn's poetry, reciting some as well. Haggis was even made for the occasion.
This was also 'appropriate' reading selection because Henry James was of scottish and irish ancestry, and last week was the Burns Supper all around the world, in recognition of Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet. So I was of course reading Burn's poetry, reciting some as well. Haggis was even made for the occasion.
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