Robert Burns Days are Here Again

Addressing the haggis at last year's Burns Supper

Just when you were missing the holiday season, here is a great excuse for a party.  If you’re looking for a reason to invite people over for good food and good fun, you’ll find one in these weeks around January 25, the anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth.  Burns Season is here!  Burns Suppers, those unique events which include readings of his poetry, a toast to his immortal memory and, if at all possible, a haggis, have been held from 1802 (just six years after his death) until now.

This year we’ll be celebrating Burns Night twice, on January 20th with friends away from home, and here on February 4th.  If you’re going to be in the D.C. area on the 4th and you’d like to attend, please let me know (soon!).  We will be holding our meal in a smallish living room/dining room with limited seating.  If you’d like to host your own Burns Supper, let me know and I’ll be happy to offer suggestions.  If it’s possible, I would love to attend your meal and address the Haggis, recite some Burns poetry, and chat a little about the great poet. 

Burns was a man of the people and of the earth.  A farmer who always seemed to struggle to make ends meet, he loved life and living.  He believed people should be true to their word, that freedom is a basic human right, and that government and religion should be more inclusive, more supportive of the men and women whose lives are so influenced by each.  His poetry combines these beliefs with his gift for words and his zest for life, and are part of what makes a Burns Supper a fun celebration.

A Burns Supper also provides an opportunity for every guest to participate by reading poems and singing songs.  I enjoy watching the people around the table get in the swing of the event and become transformed through the power of beautiful words shared in the context of a meal.  Burns Suppers are really not difficult.  All you need is food, guests, a toast to Burns and a reading of at least one of his poems.  You can add more elements if you’d like, but essentially, along with haggis which I think actually tastes pretty good, that’s it.  Consider hosting one yourself.

Here is the first Burns Supper post from last year which explains the thing in a bit more detail.  Also, click on the Literary Event link in the right-hand column of this page, for the Burns Supper stories and posts from last year or search for Burns Supper.

 

About literarylee

I sling words for a living. Always have, always will. Some have been interesting and fun; most not. These days, I write the fun words early in the morning before the adults are up and make me eat my Cream of Wheat.
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