Monday, October 27, 2008

Book tour in Scotland coming to a close


Famhair author Lewis MacKinnon and publisher Mike Hunter are in the final days of their book tour in Scotland. The book was launched at the Royal National Mod in Falkirk, then entertained audiences in Aberdeen, Stornoway, Sleat (Isle of Skye) and Fort William. Oct. 27 they are in Edinburgh, the 28th in Glasgow and then Lewis continues on to Ireland for a few days.

Above is a picture from the reading in Skye. We were very pleased to meet Mabou Ridge student Tara Rankin, who is studying at Sabhal Mor Ostaig.
The tour, entitled (in English) "The way we say it in Nova Scotia" is sponsored in part by the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, as well as the Centre for Cape Breton Studies at CBU.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Famhair in Scotland

Falkirk - Following a launch at lomall a' Mhòid today in Falkirk, Lodaidh MacFhionghain, Lewis MacKinnon, embarks on visits and readings at Aberdeen, Stornoway, Sleat, Fort William, Glasgow and Edinburgh (see details below).

Famhair agus dàin Ghàidhlig eile (Giant and other Gaelic poems), is the first book of its kind in Nova Scotia: the first collection of contemporary poems by a single author in the local Gaelic. MacKinnon's poems address a variety of contemporary perspectives—language, culture, politics and matters of the heart.

The book is central to a number of titles being promoted by Cape Breton University Press in Scotland during the next few weeks. The promotion is called "The way we say it in Nova Scotia," a reference to language and music traditions once of Scots origins, but with Nova Scotia's unique flavour.

The tour is sponsored in part by the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, through its industry development program, the Centre for Cape Breton Studies at Cape Breton University and by publisher Cape Breton University Press.


Aberdeen, Monday, Oct. 20, 6 p.m., New King's Hall, Room 10
Sponsored by the University of Aberdeen

Stornoway, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m., An Lanntair, Kenneth St., Stornoway
and Wednesday, Oct. 22, Comunn Eachdraidh Nis - Ness Historical Society
Sponsored by Lews Castle College UHI

Sleat, Isle of Skye, Thursday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m., Seòmar Cruinneachaidh, Arainn Ostaig
Sponsored by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI

Fort William, Saturday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m., Fort William Library
With the assistance of Highland Council

Edinburgh, Monday, Oct. 27, 8 p.m., Canon's Gait, 232 Canongate, Old Town
Sponsored by University of Edinburgh

Glasgow, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 5:30 p.m., 16 University Gardens, Room 5.
Sponsored by University of Glasgow