Ahead of Burns Night, the Thran podcast this month features Stephen Dornan, an award-winning poet and admirer of Robert Burns. As you prepare for the celebrations, pour a drink and enjoy this special episode dedicated to the Scottish poet.
The Thran podcast, produced by local company Negative Waves, receives support from Northern Ireland Screen’s Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund.
Burns Night, celebrated on January 25, honors Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. The evening includes traditional food, poetry, and Scottish music, all enjoyed around the world. Known for works such as Auld Lang Syne and Tam o’ Shanter, Burns’ poetry explores themes of love, nature, and humanity. For the Ulster-Scots community in Northern Ireland, Burns Night holds particular significance, reflecting their historical and cultural ties to Scotland. It’s an opportunity to celebrate their identity, traditions, and the lasting impact of Burns’ legacy.
Ahead of these celebrations, the Thran podcast presents an interview with Dornan, featuring his reading of Burns’ McPherson’s Farewell, a poem about Scottish outlaw James MacPherson, who defiantly faces execution. Dornan also shares his own poem, The Gellick, a humorous story about an earwig that crawls into people’s ears, making them speak Ulster-Scots.
Thran, a monthly Ulster-Scots podcast, has featured notable poets like Charlie Gillen, Anne McMaster, and Angeline King. It also brings new perspectives on Ulster-Scots culture, with guests such as Bonny Cooper, from China, and Adelaide Mensah, from Ghana. They provide unique views on the relationship between languages and dialects in their countries.
This special episode will air on fUSe FM on Wednesday, January 22, and will be available on Spotify shortly after.
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