Toasting Robbie Burns across Greater Sudbury

The influence of Scottish poet Robbie Burns will be celebrated across Greater Sudbury, on and around the date of his birth date, Jan. 25, 1759.

From the Branch 76 Legion Hall in Minnow Lake, to the Parkside Centre and Jubilee Centre in the downtown area, to the Lockerby Legion in the South End, the poems and aphorisms of the Scottish bard will be praised by those present, said organizers.

There will be readings of the poet’s work, toasts, food and music to celebrate the poet’s birthday and his contributions to the arts world. For example, his song Auld Lang Syne, is traditionally sung every New Year’s Eve.

Celebrations begin Jan. 23, at 5:30 p.m. at Branch 76 Legion in Minnow Lake where Burns’ birthday will coincide with the centennial celebration of the Canadian Navy.

“This event will have a piper and other (musicians), who will be playing everything from piano to horn instruments,” said Bernard Andrews, Sudbury Naval Veterans Association president.

“There also will be traditional Robbie Burns poetry and songs, combined with Naval songs and items which congratulate the Canadian Navy for celebrating their 100th anniversary,”

The Laurentian University pipe band will perform at the Lockerby Legion, 2200 Long Lake Rd., Jan. 24, beginning at 5 p.m.

“Consider coming out if you’re Scot or not,” said Derek Young, pipe major in the band.

“It may be cold outside, but inside, it will be warm, as the fine folks at the Lockerby Legion will be serving up a traditional roast beef and haggis dinner,” Young said.

In addition to the Laurentian University Pipe Band and Dancers, the celebration of Scotland’s poet at the Lockerby Legion will also include performances by Andy Lowe, and stories and songs from the works of Burns.

“He was a poet and a ploughman,” Young said. “He is known as ‘the bard’ and Scotland’s favourite son. Earlier this year, during the 250th anniversary of Robbie Burns, he was voted the greatest Scot through a contest run in Scotland.”

Young said Burns is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic Movement, and after his death, became an inspiration for socialism and liberalism. His song, Like A Red Rose, is said to have inspired song writers such as Bob Dylan, he added.

Poet and Laurentian University professor emeritus, Roger Nash, past president of the League of Canadian Poets, said the Lockerby Legion event should be the largest in the city.

“They have captured a Haggis just for this event,” he joked. “It will be piped in by Derek Young’s band. There will also be a troupe of Highland lasses there to perform some jigs.”

Lowe will perform a number of Robbie Burns songs, and will add some colour to the event, Nash said.

“I will perform some of Burns poems in a eulogy in a Scottish dialect. One of his poems speaks to the death of favorite ewe (sheep). He really felt for her.”

Nash described Burns as a proponent of freedom.

“He was against slavery and for the national independence of states that were under colonial rule.”

Another event, celebrated on Burns’ birthday, is at the Parkside (Older Adult ) Centre, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m..

“Enjoy roast beef, haggis, neeps(mashed turnips), tatties (mashed potatoes) and performances from the Sudbury and District Pipe and Drums Band,” stated a press release. Admission is $6.

Nash is also part of another poetic celebration, Four Poets Who Changed the World on Jan 31 at the Jubilee Centre, where Burns and three other poets — Pablo Neruda, Taras Scvchenko and Walt Whitman — will be honoured.