Ulster-Scots Language Week to be held at Tower Museum in Derry
Ulster-Scots Language Week aims to promote awareness and appreciation of the Ulster-Scots language.
As part of efforts to promote the campaign, the Council has devised a week-long programme of events running in locations in both Derry and Strabane which aim to provide opportunities for the public to learn more about the Ulster-Scots language.
The programme begins at the Tower Museum on Monday 25th November with a lecture by leading Ulster-Scots writer and Professor Emeritus of Irish Studies at the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle-Paris – Wesley Hutchinson – who will deliver a lunchtime talk titled ‘Tracing the Ulster-Scots Imagination’ which will address the legacy of the Ulster-Scots literary tradition and the impact of Ulster-Scots writing both locally and internationally.
On Tuesday 26th November, the Council will be running ‘A Wheen o Wurds’ – an Ulster-Scots Language Taster event delivered in partnership with Matthew Warwick from the Ulster-Scots Community Network.
This event, which will be held at the Council’s Derry Road offices in Strabane, promises to be an engaging and entertaining introduction to the Ulster-Scots language which aims to teach participants basic words, phrases and expressions in Ulster-Scots.
On Friday 29th November, Deirdre Speer-Whyte from the Ulster-Scots Community Network will deliver an informal talk at the Education Space at the Tower Museum titled – ‘An Introduction to the History, Heritage and Language of the Ulster-Scots’.
This event aims to provide participants with an overview of the Ulster-Scots tradition in the local area, focusing in particular on the Ulster-Scots origins of family names and the influence of Ulster-Scots on the variety of English spoken here.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Councillor Michaela Boyle, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council said:
“Ulster-Scots Language Week presents us with a great opportunity to promote the Ulster-Scots linguistic tradition in our local area;.
“We’ve created a diverse programme of events which aims to raise public awareness of Ulster-Scots and which provides opportunities for learning, understanding and celebration.
“I’d like to encourage as many people as possible to come along to our events to find out more about the language and to celebrate this unique week in our cultural calendar.”
The Council’s programme of events for Ulster-Scots Language Week runs from Monday 25th to Friday 30th November 2019. All events are open to the public and are free of charge.
Please be advised that booking for all events is essential.
To reserve your place, please contact Derry City and Strabane District Council on T: 028 71 376579 or email ulsterscots@derrystrabane.com.
All events are free of charge and open to everyone.
You can access the full programme for Ulster-Scots Language Week 2019 in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area at www.derrystrabane.com/ulsterscots and the full regional programme is available at: https://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/news/article/391/ulster-scots-language-week/
