Twenty-fifth of January
If you’re careful and choose a culinary winner,
You can join Burns’ spirit for a “Burns Supper” dinner.
With haggis n’ single malt ’n poetry n’ pipes,
Twenty fifth January! One of poetry’s top nights!
© Forrest W. Heaton 12 January 2020
What is a Burns Supper?
“A Burns supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of the poet, Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796), the author of many Scots poems. The suppers are normally held on or near the poet's birthday, 25 January, occasionally known as Robert Burns Day (or Robbie Burns Day[1]) but more commonly known as Burns Night (Scots: Burns Nicht). However, in principle, celebrations may be held at any other time of the year.
The first supper was held in memoriam at Burns Cottage by Burns' friends, on 21 July 1801, the fifth anniversary of his death; it has been a regular occurrence ever since. The first still extant Burns Club was founded in Greenock in 1801 by merchants who were born in Ayrshire, some of whom had known Burns. They held the first Burns supper on what they thought was his birthday, 29 January 1802, but in 1803, they discovered the Ayr parish records that noted his date of birth was actually 25 January 1759 [2]. Since then, suppers have been held on or about 25 January.
Burns suppers may be formal or informal. Both typically include haggis (a traditional Scottish dish celebrated by Burns in Address to a Haggis), Scotch whisky and the recitation of Burns poetry. Formal dinners are hosted by organisations such as Burns clubs, the Freemasons or St. Andrews Societies; they occasionally end with dancing when ladies are present. Formal suppers follow a standard order.”
The above information obtained from Wikipedia.
A Scottish friend who kindly reviewed the above information prior to our posting this blog post, reminded us to include the following:
“Every Burns supper includes an Immortal Memory. The Immortal Memory is someone giving a eulogy describing Burns, his life and what he did for posterity to make him so famous still today. It is an integral part of the evening.”
Do you want to attend a Burns Supper?
Check your local area for Burns Suppers by searching at: https://www.eventbrite.com
This website will probably not list all Burns Suppers in your area (only the places who registered with Eventbrite) so feel free to do your own online search! As always, when choosing, be sure to look at the reviews to ensure your Robert Burns Night is the best it can be!
Do you want to host a Burns Supper?
If you are an ambitious soul, feel free to host your own Burns Supper!
We found the following website that lists the simple steps to host a wonderful Burns Supper:
Your own poem in Scottish brogue?
For those of you writing or wanting to write poetry, you might find it fun to write a poem in Scottish brogue to share at your upcoming Burns Supper!
The Selkirk Grace
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat
Sae let the Lord be thankit.
Robert Burns