News
Naidheachd
Culture Minister takes to the stage for Highland Homecoming
28th September 2009
Michael Russell MSP is taking to the stage, bringing culture directly to his audience, as part of a week-long event to celebrate Highland Homecoming, a highlight of Homecoming Scotland’s autumn programme .
And he’ll be travelling from one performance to the next in the production’s unique tour bus – and old Macbrayne 1950’s bus, with a top speed of 40mph!
The Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution is due to perform in The Flight of the Arctic Tern, providing historical and environmental commentary along with esteemed BBC veteran, Iain Anderson, the narrator of the story.
Michael Russell MSP said: “I think this is a work that is particularly moving in the year of the Homecoming. It tells the story of the terrible hardship of all of those who had to go, in search of a better life. I have greatly enjoyed performing and look forward to bringing this story alive as part of the Highland’s Homecoming.”
Writer and composer, Mark Sheridan’s The Flight of the Arctic Tern tells the story of Alexander Gunn’s journey from Durness to Australia. Through the eyes of one young migrant Alexander, Sheridan takes his audience on a journey reminiscent of the tens of thousands of migrants who fled the Highland Clearances.
Alexander’s story draws parallels to the journey of the Arctic Tern, a small bird that migrates the farthest from the Arctic to the Antarctic, as far as Australia. The 35,000 km epic journey of the Arctic Tern is an appropriate analogy to the story of migrants, in the year of the Homecoming.
Mark Sheridan said: “The Arctic Tern travels farther than any other bird, from the North of Scotland to the southern pack ice of the Antarctic. It acts as a reminder of all those left the Highlands and endured long and treacherous journeys to the other end of the earth. I have brought their stories to life through a mixture of narration, images and music.”
The Flight of the Arctic Tern is on from the 19th -24th of October in Caol Community Hall, Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Raasay Community Hall, Eden Court in Inverness, Ullapool Village Hall and Durness Hall.
Michael Russell’s vodcast on his role in The Flight of the Arctic Tern can be downloaded from facebook and youtube.
To find out more about Highland Homecoming and the programme of events log on to http://www.highlandeventsandfestivals.com
Ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
Images available
Principal Partners: Homecoming Scotland, The Highland Council Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Major Partners: Scottish Arts Council, LEADER, EventScotland
In Kind Partner: Ashers’ Bakeries
Event Partners: UHI, University of Aberdeen, University of Edinburgh, Centre for Battlefield Archaeology, University of Glasgow
Homecoming Scotland 2009
1. Homecoming Scotland 2009 aims to engage Scots at home as well as motivate people of Scottish descent and those who simply love Scotland, to take part in an inspirational celebration of our culture, heritage and some of the many great contributions Scotland has given to the world.
2. 2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, with the programme’s design guided by Scotland’s unique position as the home of Burns himself, Golf, Whisky, Great Minds and Innovations, and Scotland’s culture and heritage which lives on at home and through Scotland’s global family.
3. The budget for Homecoming is £5.5million and the target is for an 8 to 1 return on investment i.e. £44 million revenue additionality.
4. Homecoming Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government and is managed by EventScotland the national events agency in partnership with VisitScotland, the country’s national tourism agency. Homecoming is part financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.
5. For more information on Homecoming Scotland please visit: http://www.homecomingscotland2009.com
« Back to News.