Artikel
Burning Burns at StAnza 2009
2 maart 2009
The 250th anniversary of Robert Burns is at the heart of this year’s Homecoming Scotland celebrations, and StAnza is one of 100 events which has been chosen to promote Scotland’s cultural heritage and international connections. Homecoming is one of the festival’s main themes and this is reflected in the list of over 80 participants: major poetic and artistic talents from home and abroad, many with Scottish connections, including Bill Manhire and Kate Clanchy.
‘StAnza this year is creating a contemporary link between Burns’ poetic heritage for Scotland and the current vibrant literary scene,’ says Brian Johnstone. ‘We are engaging ‘diaspora’ Scots in the celebratory nature of StAnza and in the huge variety of voices and approaches we present. On top of that internationalism, we are re-interpreting Burns for the 21st century. All of this I’m sure the poet himself would applaud.’
The launch of StAnza, which is free and open to the public, takes place at 7pm on 18 March at the Byre Theatre, St Andrews. The festival runs until 22 March. For full programme details and event tickets, visit www.stanzapoetry.org
ANNIE KELLY
The launch of StAnza: Scotland’s International Poetry Festival on 18 March is set to be an inflammatory affair. On the 10th anniversary of the festival, Alastair Reid set fire to ‘Scotland’ (his poem, not the country). This year StAnza goes in for pyrotechnics once again, celebrating its central theme of Homecoming, and the 250th anniversary of Scotland’s most famous poet, by setting fire to Robert Burns!
The man in charge of burning Burns is artist David Mach, famous for his ‘Big Heids’ sculptures, visible to drivers along the M8. In response to a commission from StAnza, he has created two life-size match-head sculptures of the head of Robert Burns, one of which he will set alight at the launch – straight after a welcoming speech by First Minister Alex Salmond, who will be officially opening the festival at the Byre Theatre, St Andrews. ‘What the First Minister’s expression will be when he sees Burns set alight we can only guess,’ said Brian, ‘but we hope he will see it as a wonderful metaphor for the power of the Bard's imagination.’The 250th anniversary of Robert Burns is at the heart of this year’s Homecoming Scotland celebrations, and StAnza is one of 100 events which has been chosen to promote Scotland’s cultural heritage and international connections. Homecoming is one of the festival’s main themes and this is reflected in the list of over 80 participants: major poetic and artistic talents from home and abroad, many with Scottish connections, including Bill Manhire and Kate Clanchy.
‘StAnza this year is creating a contemporary link between Burns’ poetic heritage for Scotland and the current vibrant literary scene,’ says Brian Johnstone. ‘We are engaging ‘diaspora’ Scots in the celebratory nature of StAnza and in the huge variety of voices and approaches we present. On top of that internationalism, we are re-interpreting Burns for the 21st century. All of this I’m sure the poet himself would applaud.’
The launch of StAnza, which is free and open to the public, takes place at 7pm on 18 March at the Byre Theatre, St Andrews. The festival runs until 22 March. For full programme details and event tickets, visit www.stanzapoetry.org
ANNIE KELLY
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