Robert Burns, a celebrated Scottish poet, inspired the tradition of Burns’ Night after his death in 1796. The celebration, held on January 25, includes haggis, whiskey, and toasts to Burns and other topics. It has become a popular event worldwide, honoring the poet’s impact on literature and daily life.
Robert Burns is one of Scotland’s most loved and celebrated poets, blending the serious, the romantic and the comic in his many works. Sadly his life was cut short at the age of 37 in 1796, but those in Scotland will not soon forget his impact on literature and even daily life. Indeed, exactly one year after his death on July 21, his friends gathered to pay him due tribute. This marks the birth of the Burns’ Night tradition in 1797, which quickly gained popularity, with a Burns’ Club established in 1800.
Less than 100 years later, over 50 Burns Clubs each held Burns’ Night events, but some changes occurred. The date has been changed to January 25 to reflect the celebration of the birth of Robbie Burns. The celebration not only honored and remembered Burns but also became a party of high revelry and fun.
Scots today can celebrate Burns’ Night in a variety of ways. You can attend very formal events organized by Burns’ Clubs, stay home for small get-togethers with friends or participate in slightly less formal or impromptu celebrations. Whether you’re in your evening dress (kilts for men and formal wear for women) or sitting at home in jeans, most people will follow certain traditions on Burns’ Night.
Typically Burns’ Night will offer dinner, which must have a few notable foods. These include haggis, a Scottish delicacy, which Burns once praised in his poem “Haggis Speech.” Haggis can be brought into a room with much ceremony, and Burns’ poem recited to honor it.
Haggis is usually accompanied by yellow turnips (rutabaga). An important side dish is potatoes: these can be prepared in many ways. Other products exported from Scotland tend to make up the bill, to refer to their relative shortage during the Burns period. These dishes on a Burns Night include: beef or lamb, salmon, and various types of shellfish. Many facets can be added to these traditional offerings, depending on the preferences of people throwing large or small parties.
A typical authentic Burns night usually has plenty of whiskey available for the guests, and many toasts are drunk throughout the night, starting with one toast to Burns’ memory, one to the girls, and a reply from at least one girl if not more . Other toasts may be offered, which may refer to the poet, quote some of his famous lines from him, or be of a personal nature. Singing or reciting the Burns classic Auld Lang Syne usually concludes the evening.
Burns’ Night celebrations are not unique to Scotland. Many people across the UK, USA and a few other countries celebrate and keep the poet immortal by remembering and observing this special celebration.
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