What is tradition? The great Scottish folksinger Jean Redpath recalled
that the tradition in her family was to cut the Sunday joint in half
before cooking - on inquiring how this 'family tradition' came about, her
mother told her that it was simply that at one time they didn't have a big
enough pot!
So after ten years the annual Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow,
which starts this week (15 January - 2 February 2003), must now be
considered as 'traditional'. 2003 marks the tenth anniversary of Celtic
Connections which has grown into a major event - last year the attendance
figures reached 94,000 and the expenditure by festival-goers and
organisers was valued at some £3 million. A substantial boost to the
Glasgow economy at a traditionally quiet time of year.
Celtic Connections 2003 takes place across Glasgow. The focal point of the
festival is The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, where performances take place
in every space - from workshops in the foyers, to performances by world-
class artistes (such as Sinead O'Connor and Tom Paxton) in the Main
Auditorium. The Old Fruitmarket plays host to some of the biggest names in
Celtic music including Shane McGowan, formerly of The Pogues. More
traditional music is performed at The Piping Centre whilst
Celtic-influenced jazz, dance and fusion is performed at The Arches. After
the success of last year, more atmospheric performances will take place in
Glasgow Cathedral including fiddler Aly Bain and the BT Scottish
Ensemble.The City Halls is the home of Scottish Highland Dance during
Celtic Connections and other venues are The Barrowlands, The Tron Theatre
and the Tramway. Children across the city experience Celtic Connections in
the community venues that are an integral part of the festival. In
addition, unscheduled performances take place at the legendary Festival
Club.
Celtic Connections plays a vital role encouraging and fostering new and
young talent. Two new projects for the tenth anniversary, 'The Young
Tradition' and 'Inspired Apprentices' aim to showcase existing young
talent working in the Scottish traditional Music scene. 'Danny Kyle's Open
Stage' is an integral part giving talented newcomers an opportunity to get
up and have a go. The late folksinger Danny Kyle would have approved of
this type of tribute to his memory. In its third year at the festival the
BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician exists to encourage young
musicians to keep their tradition alive and to maximise their musical
potential of a career in traditional music.
Celtic Connections has been awarded Scottish Arts Council Lottery funding
for a new Education Programme under the children's and young people's
scheme to increase understanding of performance of traditional music in
schools. This essential work takes place not only during Celtic
Connections but all year round, thus ensuring that the tradition is kept
alive.
A strong line-up of 'Scottish Women' singers including Sheena Wellington,
who sang a 'A Man's A Man' at the official opening of the Scottish
Parliament in 1999, start off the proceedings in the Concert Hall's Main
Auditorium on 15 January. For more details please visit
www.grch.com
At some folk nights back in the 60s and 70s it was the habit to have one
of Scotland's National Dishes - Stovies - during the interval. We don't
know if Stovies will be available during Celtic Connections 2003 but you
can always enjoy a plateful in the comfort of your own home, whilst
playing Scottish Traditional Music and Song in the background.
Gaberlunzies 'Independent Scots' CD would be ideal.
Stovies
Ingredients : 1 oz (25 g ) butter, dripping or margarine; 2 lbs (1 Kg)
potatoes; 8 oz (225 g ) onions; 1/2 pint ( 300 ml) hot water or mutton
stock; salt and pepper to taste
Melt fat in saucepan. Wash, peel and slice potatoes into pan. Peel, slice
and add onions. Toss in saucepan for about a minute, then add water or
stock and salt and pepper. Cover. bring slowly to boil. Simmer gently for
fully 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. When ready, the
potatoes should be tinged here and there with brown. Serve with cold,
boiled or roast mutton or cold roast lamb. A meal fit for a Celtic
Festival.
