Glasgow Scots language stars nominated for national awards

A Glasgow writer and a performer have been nominated for Scots Language Awards.

Article Source: Scots Language Awards
Last Updated: 29 August 2024 11:41

The locals are among 50 outstanding nominees and individuals across 12 categories at the annual ceremony next month. Voting for this year’s Scots Language Awards is open until Sunday 8 September and members of the local community are urged to get behind Glasgow locals and cast their votes.

Martin O' Connor has been nominated for a Scots Language Award for Scots Performer o the Year. Director of the Tron Theatre Young Company, and associate artist with Toonspeak Young People’s Theatre, Martin has worked as a tutor for many years and is currently Artist in Residence with Inverclyde, and with Glasgow Life Creative Communities, working with venues, schools and individuals on a range of poetry activities.

Award-winning Scottish-Indian singer, songwriter and harpist Chloe Matharu from Wemyss Bay has also been nominated for Scots Performer o the Year. Many of her songs draw on her experience as a Navigational Officer in the Merchant Navy sailing around the world on oil tankers, with her thoughtful and sensitive songwriting offering an insight into the modern seafarer’s life.

Nominated for Scots Bairns Book of the Year is The Hoolet Thit Couldnae Fly by award winning author and journalist Emma Grae. The Hoolet Thit Couldnae Fly explores themes of confidence and celebrates the idea that it is okay to be different. Emma’s debut novel, Be Guid tae yer Mammy was awarded Scots Book of the Year at the Scots Language Awards in 2022.

This year, for the first time, the event will be held in Ayrshire – a region steeped in Scots language, culture and tradition and home to celebrated poet Robert Burns.

Taking place at Cumnock Town Hall on Saturday 14 September in partnership with East Ayrshire Council, the sixth annual awards ceremony celebrate the importance of the Scots leid – one of the country’s indigenous languages – and the people who champion its use in daily life, education, business, arts and culture.

Scots Language Awards organiser and Hands up for Trad Creative Director, Simon Thoumire, said: “We’re delighted to announce the nominees for this year’s Scots Language Awards and celebrate the local Scots performers and writers in Glasgow. It’s exciting to be able to bring this national event to the heartlands of Scotland - a huge thank you to East Ayrshire Council for their support in making this happen.

“It’s incredible to have so many talented Scots performers, writers and teachers from across the country championing Scots leid and we can’t wait to celebrate their achievements at this upcoming award ceremony. The language is an integral part of Scottish culture and our national identity and a crucial creative outlet for so many. It is our privilege to be able to honour that. Voting opens today so now it’s over to you. Make sure to get your votes in and we’ll see you at Cumnock Town Hall on Saturday 14 September.”

Entertainment during the ceremony comes from a host of local artists including musical performances from talented Coylton singer, flautist and guitarist Seán Gray, accomplished folk singer Claire Hastings with more to be announced. The house band will be the award winning duo Eryn Rae and Sophie Joint.

Attendees will also be treated to a recital from celebrated National Library of Scotland’s Scots Scriever Susi Briggs and a spoken word performance from writer, broadcaster and advocate Billy Kay and tickets for the night are available now.

As one of Scotland’s three indigenous languages, Scots continues to be a growing tongue. The Scots language has long been used by authors, spoken in our top films, and is experiencing a contemporary renaissance with almost half of Scotland’s population proficient in the language to some capacity. The Scots Language Awards were launched in 2019 to recognise this and the rich culture that is intrinsically linked to the language.

Voting for the Scots Language Awards is open until Sunday 8 September and votes can be cast now at www.scotslanguageawards.com

Tickets to attend the Scots Language Awards are available here: eastayrshireleisure.com/events/scots-language-awards/

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