CHAMPIONS of Scots are encouraging people to share their love of the leid through Gies a Scots Poem Day, as they prepare for this year’s Scots Language Awards.
To coincide with Gies a Scots Poem Day, Hands up for Trad and The National Poetry Library have revealed the date and location of the awards.
The public are being asked to share their favourite verse online with #GiesAScotsPoemDay on 9 June.
The annual event will be held on September 16 at Johnstone Town Hall, and tickets are available now.
Voting will be open to the public between July 17 and 30.
Shaun Moore, who was appointed Tannahill Makar for Renfrewshire last year, will be performing a recital at the event, and has already shared a favourite poem for the campaign:
“We’re haein’ a haunlin’, a halesome hailsin’,
O’ the Scots leid, an’ ah’m vogie an’ vauntie,
Mindfu’ tae gie an imbui, tae the toon o’ Joanstin,
For the collogue’s gaithrin’ in ma hame coonty.”
Language activist and journalist Alistair Heather will be returning as presenter of the 13 awards on offer to those who have fought for the future of the leid, including the coveted Janet Paisley Services to Scots Award.
Previous awards have recognised local heroes, teachers, businesses, schools and well-kent celebrities such as Iona Fyfe and Liz Lochhead.
Following November’s Scottish Languages Bill, musician Simon Thoumire has watched closely how conversation about the topic has developed.
He said: “It’s brilliant to have witnessed such a promising year for the Scots leid, there is of course a lot more to be done but it is fantastic to see the narrative become louder around the language and its position as one of the three languages of our nation continuing to be pushed for.”
Social media has been crucial keeping this conversation on the top of timelines, with Scots content creators on TikTok bringing in millions of new views from around the world.
While promoting the language in his own musical way, Thoumire is also the Hands Up for Trad organiser behind the autumn event.
He added: “Celebrating these achievements is what these awards are all about, recognising those individuals, schools, businesses, and public figures who are advocates and champions for the language across the board, It’s really special.”
Performance may play a leading role in the event, but activists also stress the importance of keeping, or in some places re-establishing, the language as a part of daily life.
Lorraine Cameron, provost for Renfrewshire, said: “It is so important to celebrate the role the Scots language plays not just in arts and culture but in our broader society, in order to acknowledge our past and secure the language’s future.”
