Next Monday, Jan. 25, marks the annual celebrations around the world of the birth of Robert (Robbie) Burns, the Scottish poet famous for writing Auld Lang Syne.
The day is usually marked by a traditional “Robbie Burns Night” or supper, whereby full Highland dress is encouraged, a haggis is ceremonially sliced open, poetic verses are proclaimed and, of course, whisky is the drink of choice.
However, with the pandemic still gripping most of the planet, any effort to remember Burns will be extremely low-key and likely online only.
Quite what Burns himself – who was born in Alloway, Ayrshire in 1759 – would make of it all, one can only imagine. Perhaps he would’ve taken pen (or quill) to paper and written a poem to capture the way many of us are feeling right now?
Despite the lack of pipers, kilts, haggis and whisky this year, a Scots heritage organization – the Clan MacLeod of Greater Vancouver Society – is still determined to make sure the day doesn’t pass without some kind of acknowledgement.
The society, which has members from across the Lower Mainland, including Richmond, is hosting a free, invitation-only "Wee Bit o' Burns" Zoom Event on Sunday Jan. 24 from 2 to 3 p.m.
The event will have the same traditional “addresses” and rituals as most Robbie Burns Nights, as well as live music.
