BlogTo mark World Gaelic Week (Seachdain na Gàidhlig), Grant McFarlane, coordinator for local arts and culture group Fèis Phàislig, shares his love for Gaelic culture and his excitement for Paisley hosting The Royal National Mòd later this year.
The second annual Seachdain na Gàidhlig runs from 20 – 26 February.
This year’s celebrations are under the theme of ‘Coming Together’ and prioritise bringing communities together and promoting the importance and use of Gaelic language.
Grant said: “I’m a Gaelic learner myself. It’s such an integral part of our history and heritage and it’s been a brilliant experience finding out more about Gaelic culture and language.
“To celebrate Seachdain na Gàidhlig, Fèis Phàislig will be holding a family ceilidh at the Wynd Centre in Paisley on Saturday 25 February that showcases the songs and poems of Bàrd Phàislig which he wrote while he lived in the town – it also marks our first post-covid performance.
“I think it’ll be a wonderful thing for people to come along to – even if it’s just learning a few words or hearing a bit of Gaelic music for the first time.”
Paisley’s celebrations for Seachdain na Gàidhlig also mark the start of the countdown to the town hosting The Royal National Mòd – a decade since it last staged the prestigious event.
Mòd Phàislig, organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach, is expected to bring thousands of visitors and competitors to the town for the nine-day festival which will take place at venues across Paisley from Friday 13 – Saturday 21 October.
The Mòd festival, Scotland’s premier celebration of Gaelic culture and heritage, will feature a range of competitive disciplines, including Gaelic song, poetry, literature, drama, instrumental, Highland dancing and sport.
The Mòd fringe will see a range of events and opportunities for people to experience and enjoy everything Gaelic arts and culture have to offer, including activities for children and families, alongside the main festival programme.
“The Mòd is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Gaelic culture that is thriving in the town since the event was last here in 2013. Organisations like the Fèis have come to life and there’s a real community in Renfrewshire for Gaelic culture and the Mòd is a great opportunity to develop and expand that community,” said Grant.
Grannd MacPhàrlain a-mach air Seachdain na Gàidhlig
Gus Seachdain na Gàidhlig a chomharrachadh, tha Grannd MacPhàrlain, co-òrdanaiche na buidhne ealain is cultair ionadail Fèis Phàislig, ag innse mun mheas a th’ aige air cultar na Gàidhlig agus gu bheil e air bhioran gum bi Pàislig a’ cumail a’ Mhòid Nàiseanta Rìoghail nas fhaide am-bliadhna.
Bidh an dàrna Seachdain na Gàidhlig bhliadhnail a’ ruith eadar 20 – 26 Gearran. Is e cuspair Seachdain na Gàidhlig am bliadhna ‘Tighinn Còmhla’ agus bithear a’ toirt prìomhachas do choimhearsnachdan a thoirt còmhla agus cudromachd is cleachdadh na Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh.
Thuirt Grannd: “’S e neach-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig a th’ annam fhìn. Tha e na phàirt cho bunaiteach de ar n-eachdraidh agus ar dualchas agus tha e air a bhith sgoinneil faighinn a-mach barrachd mu chultar is cànan na Gàidhlig.
“Airson Seachdain na Gàidhlig a chomharrachadh, bidh Fèis Phàislig a’ cumail cèilidh teaghlaich aig Ionad Wynd ann am Pàislig air Disathairne 25 Gearran leis na h-òrain agus na dàin aig Bàrd Phàislig a rinn e fhad ’s a bha e a’ fuireach sa bhaile – agus ’s e seo cuideachd a’ chiad chuirm againn às dèidh covid.
“Tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gum bi e mìorbhaileach do dhaoine tighinn ann – fiù dìreach airson facal no dhà ionnsachadh no beagan ceòl Gàidhlig a chluinntinn airson a’ chiad uair.”
Bidh Seachdain na Gàidhlig cuideachd na ro-bhlasad dhen ghàirdeachas a chì Pàislig nuair a chumas am baile am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail – deich bliadhna bhon a chùm iad an tachartas cliùiteach mu dheireadh.
Tha dùil gun toir Mòd Phàislig, air a ruith leis a’ Chomunn Ghàidhealach, na mìltean de luchd-tadhail is farpaisich don bhaile airson na fèis naoi-latha a bhios a’ tachairt air feadh Phàislig eadar Dihaoine 13 – Disathairne 21 Dàmhair.
Bidh Am Mòd, prìomh fhèis na h-Alba airson cultar is dualchas na Gàidhlig, a’ nochdadh raon de dh’fharpaisean, a’ gabhail a-steach òrain Ghàidhlig, bàrdachd, litreachas, dràma, ceòl, dannsa Gàidhealach agus spòrs.
Agus air iomall a’ Mhòid bidh raon de thachartasan agus chothroman do dhaoine eòlas fhaighinn air agus tlachd fhaighinn à ealain is cultar na Gàidhlig, a’ gabhail a-steach tachartasan do chlann is teaghlaichean, a’ ruith aig an aon àm ri prìomh phrògram a’ Mhòid.
“’S e cothrom air leth a th’ anns a’ Mhòd gus cultar na Gàidhlig a thaisbeanadh a tha air a bhith a’ soirbheachadh sa bhaile bhon a bha an tachartas an seo ann an 2013. Tha buidhnean leithid na Fèis air nochdadh, tha fìor choimhearsnachd aig cultar na Gàidhlig ann an Siorrachd Rinn Friù agus tha am Mòd na dheagh chothrom a’ choimhearsnachd sin a leasachadh agus a leudachadh,” thuirt Grannd.