For the first time in its 120 year history, An Comunn Gàidhealach has crowned a Canadian as its Bàrd in a prestigious ceremony held at this year’s Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail (The Royal National Mòd).
Lewis MacKinnon has been recognised for his contribution to the Gaelic Language, music and culture. He has been involved in numerous Gaelic language initiatives in Nova Scotia and has written songs, music and poetry.
He has also taught Gaelic and has written a book of Gaelic poetry in the Nova Scotian Gaelic dialect. Lewis is hugely respected as a Gaelic Scholar on both sides of the Atlantic. The crowning of a Nova Sotian Bàrd symbolises the strong links between Scotland and Canada and reminds us of the great migrations of Gaels to North America in the last centuries.
Born in Cape Breton, now of Sackville, Nova Scotia, Gaelic poet and singer Lewis “Lodaidh” MacKinnon commences his role this week in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, as part of the annual celebration of Gaelic language, music, and culture, that is the Mòd.
The role of Bàrd is an honour bestowed upon an individual who has contributed significantly to the Gaelic literary world and it carries an ambassadorial role for the language and culture.The role of Bàrd normally extends to a period of three years.
John Macleod, President of An Comunn Gàidhealach said: “We’re delighted to bestow this prestigious honour on Lewis Mackinnon. While the distance between this year's Mòd in the ‘heartland of Gaelic’ and his home in Nova Scotia is considerable, it is really just a short step in linguistic terms across the wide ocean that separates us, and we hope that our event will continue to reinforce these close links. In the words of the Canadian Boat song “mountains divide us, and the waste of seas – yet still the blood is strong.”
As Bàrd, MacKinnon will be observing and writing his impressions about the events and the people surrounding the Royal National Mòd not only the competitions, but the numerous fringe activities which include ceilidhs, open stage music evening, street dances, historical exhibitions and musical workshops.
Lewis Mackinnon said: “I am truly humbled and honoured by the designation of poet laureate for the Mod. Acknowledging the importance the Bard plays in events like the Mod, I accept reticently this role and I hope that in some way I may, through my work, reflect Gaelic Nova Scotia and how it is today, profoundly aware that it has as its origins, the words, actions and historical events of the peoples of Gaelic Scotland."
MacKinnon, author of Famhair/ Giant, a book of original Gaelic and English poetry published by CBU Press (2008) is also director of the Nova Scotia office of Gaelic Affairs and is actively engaged in the language and culture.
The Royal National Mòd which runs from Friday 14th October to Saturday 22nd October 2011 is Scotland’s premier festival celebrating Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage, and has travelled to the Western Isles for the fifth time in its 120 year history, last visiting the Islands in 2005.
Canadian crowned Bàrd at the Royal National Mòd 20/10/11