A ‘not so serious’ Burns Night brings poetry, song and dance to Derry

PICTURED ABOVE: Left to right: Georgina Kee-McCarter, Bready & District Ulster-Scots Development Association; DCSDC Deputy Mayor Alderman Niree McMorris; Professor Duncan Morrow, Director of Community Engagement, Ulster University; Stehen Bradley, Performer, Bready Ulster Scots/Blue Eagle Productions; Professor Malachy Ó Néill, Director of Regional Engagement, Ulster University; with Shaun Ryan of the Ulster University Choir (pictured centre). The event featured theatre, music, poetry, dance, and a celebration of Ulster-Scots culture.

The Ulster University Derry Campus hosted a Burns Night celebration on Monday, January 26 where the university and local community gathered to enjoy a showcase of theatre, poetry, song, and dance.

The celebration featured a special performance of ‘Not So Serious Burns’, delivered by Bready Ulster Scots and funded by The Ulster Scots Agency. The performance focused on the life and work of the national bard of the Scots and Ulster Scots, Robert Burns.

The performance combined music and drama, poetry and song, Highland dancing and haggis as well as incorporated the Lallans language.

Other performances included music from the Ulster University Choir, Burns songs by PhD Researcher Grainne Milner McLoone and poetic responses to Burns by poet Niamh McNally.

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Reflecting on the celebration, Professor Malachy Ó Néill, Ulster University Director of Regional Engagement said: “We are delighted to host the Burns Night Celebration at Ulster University as part of our partnership commitment to the cultural and social life of our communities.

“This city and region is renowned for its cultural heritage and creativity and this was showcased in the celebration through song, dance, theatre, and visual artistry.”

Georgina Kee-McCarter, Bready Ulster Scots, said: “It is great to be a part of the Burns Celebrations at Ulster University; we are delighted to be involved. To showcase Ulster-Scots culture as a vibrant and active part of local community is an important opportunity to highlight both its historical significance and its contemporary expression within academic and public life.”