What is a Fèis?
fèis, -ean, s.f. Feast, gathering, festival.
Fèis (plural Fèisean) is the Gaelic word for a festival or feast. However over the past few years the word has become synonomous with the Fèis movement; a group of Gaelic arts tuition festivals, mainly for young people, which now take place throughout Scotland.
A Fèis is an opportunity for individuals to come together to develop skills in the Gaelic arts - song, dance, drama, and traditional music on a wide range of instruments. Tuition is accessible and fun, but professional and effective. The focus of activity for most Fèisean is an annual, week-long festival, but increasingly Fèisean offer a full programme of year-round follow-on classes to ensure sustained provision.
The Fèis movement came about when a group of parents and other individuals on the Isle of Barra became concerned that local traditions were dying out and that island children were not being taught traditional music in the context of formal education. To address this issue the first Fèis Bharraigh was held on the island in 1981.
Inspired by the success of this first Fèis, many other communities throughout Scotland established similar events. Fèis Bharraigh celebrated its 21st birthday in 2002, and 22 years on, there are now over 35 Fèisean, each one community-led and tailored to local needs. Volunteers still form the core of most local Fèisean.
The skills taught at Fèisean are a highly-valued aspect of the informal education of young people, as demonstrated by the level of volunteer committment and parental support in local areas. Most importantly, the Fèis experience is valued by the young participants themselves. At national level, the Fèisean are seen by many as one of the most successful arts initiatives in Scotland.
When heads of state visit this country I'm proud to show them our architectural heritage whether it's a castle, a cottage, or a House for an Art Lover. I'm delighted they can hear young musicians from [the RSAMD], and from the Fèis movement, play the music of our country.
First Minister Jack McConnell MSP, St Andrew's Day 2003
More than 3,500 young people currently participate in the 37 Fèisean which take place annually, four of which offer tuition entirely through the medium of Gaelic. Over 450 tutor posts are provided by Fèisean - 132 individuals - which, along with Fèisean nan Gàidheal's staff, and Fèis Rois paid workers, equates to 24.8 full-time equivalent posts.
The 37 Fèisean are corporate members of Fèisean nan Gàidheal, and Fèisean nan Gàidheal's board is composed of representatives chosen from, and elected by, the member Fèisean. Fèisean come together at the Association's Annual Conference, and occasional national and regional showcase concerts. Information is shared through the Faileas newsletter.
As a natural development of the maturation of the Fèis movement, 1999 saw the launch of Fèis Alba, a national, Fèisean nan Gàidheal-run 'masterclass' fèis for older, advanced participants.
Fèisean represent excellence in youth work in the arts and strengthening of community skills, and offer significant employment opportunities and good value for money. Committment to Gaelic language and culture is central to the Fèis ethos, and Fèisean nan Gàidheal and the Fèisean consistently strive to develop opportunities for the use and transmission of Gaelic language within the Fèisean.
What others have said:
"Essentially [the Fèis movement] is a revival in Gaelic culture. It has been very inspiring."
Magnus Linklater, Former Chair, Scottish Arts Council
"Rarely have I seen work whose quality and value spoke so eloquently for itself than that which I witnessed [in the Fèis movement] in Scotland"
Francois Matarasso, Use of Ornament
"I point to our own home-grown Fèis movement, which has enjoyed staggering growth and success"
Dr James Hunter, Chair, Highlands & Islands Enterprise
