Homecoming Scotland 2009
Join us in 2009 when Scotland hosts its first ever Homecoming year, created and timed to mark the 250th anniversary of Scotland's national poet and international cultural icon Robert Burns.
From Burns Night to St Andrew's Day 2009, a country-wide programme of exciting and inspirational Homecoming events and activities will celebrate some of Scotland's great contributions to the world: Burns himself, Whisky, Golf, Great Scottish Minds and Innovations and our rich ancestry, culture and heritage which lives on at home and through our global family.
In addition to the World Famous Burns Supper celebration in January 2009 the opening weekend also features other Burns-themed highlights including Auld Lang Syne at Celtic Connections which will celebrate Robert Burns' influence on Scottish music whilst Burns Light a spectacular lantern procession and fire show will wind its way through the heart of Dumfries passing key Burns landmark sites. The National Burns Collection Touring Exhibition brings together for the first time 36,000 objects associated with Robert Burns which will be exhibited across the country between January and November.
Throughout the rest of the year, other Burns events not to be missed include:
- Inspired: an exhibition of contemporary art by internationally renowned artists inspired by the life, poetry and songs of Robert Burns
- Creative Burns: an exhibition exploring Burns' own creative output and his legacy to the present day;
- Festivals of the written word from Glasgow to Aberdeen and from St Andrews to Wigtown, where Burns' literary legacy will be debated and celebrated;
- and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, where the songs and verse of Robert Burns provide the underlying theme
To find out more information on the hundreds of sensational Homecoming Scotland events, including Whisky Month in May, the epic Gathering 2009 in July, a fortnight-long Festival of Highland Culture in October and Homecoming Scotland's Finale Weekend - a major celebration of Scottish music - in November, make sure you visit http://www.homecomingscotland2009.com.
