Aiseirigh - The Songs of Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair

According to the Scottish poetry Library’s official biography, “Modern poetry in Scottish Gaelic begins with the brilliant, controversial figure of Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair”, whose solo book-length collection, published in 1751, was the first to be printed in any Celtic language. An active rebel in the ’45, he sought to rebuild connections between Gaelic and mainland European cultures, deploying a range of voice and style from classically-influenced formality to uniquely Gaelic ribaldry and invective. Jointly produced by An Lòchran, Celtic Connections and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Aiseirigh marks 2020’s 250th anniversary of the bard’s death, highlighting his continued influence as both a revivalist and innovator, celebrated tonight with special guests including Fiona J Mackenzie, Rachel Walker, Ailean Dòmhnallach, Mairead Stiùbhart, Rory MacDiarmid, Jamie MacDonald, Martainn Skene and Seonaidh MacIntyre.