Blogs

In a rousing speech to the Scottish National Party conference in Aberdeen, Alex Salmond Scotland’s First Minister tells Scots that "in an independent Scotland we will build a system that will be the envy of the world." With the opinion polls showing that Scotland’s voters our moving towards voting Yes to independence Alex Salmond said "make no mistake - momentum is with this campaign.  The people are coming towards us.”

The 43rd Pan Celtic Festival will cross the Irish border for the first time in its history this year as the annual celebration of all things Celtic moves to the city of Derry in Northern Ireland.

It’s a great opportunity for those from the Celtic nations to come together and celebrate the occasion through music and song, attracting a sizeable number of competitors from the Isle of Man, with the assistance of the Isle of Man Arts Council.

After the recent expenses scandal in the UK government, the minister involved resigned. For those abroad and not aware of the issues involved, the expenses claimed by members of the United Kingdom parliament over recent years have been the focal point of public scrutiny and criminal prosecutions. Questions about the previous UK Culture Ministers expenses claims resulted in her stepping down from her position this week.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of the world famous designer and artist Archibald Knox, with a number of events organised by the Archibald Knox Society to celebrate the occasion.

Born on the Isle of Man in 1864, Archibald Knox became one of the most influential figures in the British Art Nouveau/arts and crafts movements of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, particularly in respect of his dynamic partnership with the celebrated Liberty & Co of London.

Citing the 2013 census figures which show that Scots Gaelic has stabilised in the language heartlands, and that fluency is on the rise with speakers younger than 20 years of age, the New Statesman carries a heartening article on the resurgence of Scots Gaelic. Written by Cal Flyn, the article is based on anecdotes from his family who can be best described has "fallen away Gaelic Speakers".

Along with other organisations and groups in Brittany Le Parti Breton (The Breton Party) has called for a large show of support for a rally in support of the reunification of Brittany. The rally will take place in Nantes - Naoned. The city of Nantes and the Loire-Atlantique Department in which it is situated were formerly part of the historic nation of Brittany. Loire-Atlantique, although culturally, historically and geographically united to Brittany, was split from the other four departments by the Vichy regime in 1941. 

In an echo of the rising conflict between government and Celtic language activists across the Irish Sea in Dublin, the Welsh government’s response to issues raised in two separate independent reports on the future of the Welsh tongue has been attacked by the Welsh Language Society (Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg) and the Party Of Wales (Plaid Cymru). 

This new stamp release, in collaboration with Manx National Heritage and Lloyds Bank, marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Manxman Archibald Knox and focuses on designs from his iconic work The Deer’s Cry.

An internationally renowned artist and designer, who became a leading exponent of Celtic and Art Nouveau design at the beginning of the 20th century, his work remains popular amongst collectors.

The Hebcelt Festival for 2014 continues to grow from strength to strength. Announcing an impressive and growing line-up of artists, this year’s festival promises to build on past successes. The festival takes place on 16-19 July in a number of venues in the town of Stornoway, Lewis, Outer Hebrides (Scottish Gaelic: Steòrnabhagh, Leòdhas, Na h-Eileanan Siar).

Emglev Bro an Oriant have called on people to support the rally for the reunification of Brittany to be held in Nantes-Naoned on Saturday 19th April 2014. The gathering assembles in Place Bretagne at 15h in Nantes-Naoned. ‘Bretagne Réunie et le collectif 44=Breizh organisent une grande manifestation en faveur de la réunification le samedi 19 avril prochain à Nantes.’ The city of Nantes and the Loire-Atlantique Department in which it is situated were formerly part of the historic nation of Brittany.