Fèisean nan Gàidheal is delighted to have delivered a series of Mini-fèis days, in partnership with Fife Council, to several schools in the region to engage the pupils there in Gaelic culture and to raise awareness of the connections with the language and culture in their own corner of the country. The Mini-fèisean form part of Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s ongoing work to support Gaelic language learning and traditional arts engagement in schools across Scotland.
Josie Duncan, Innes White and Grace Morton, three Gaelic-speaking musicians with a range of experience tutoring children through Fèisean and Fèisgoil, visited five schools in Fife from Saline to Cupar between the 16th and 20th March and delivered fun-filled, informative workshops on Gaelic songwriting, drama and playing traditional music to over 400 pupils. Ambassadorial talks were also held with each school and children had the chance to hear the tutors play and sing and to hear about the role Gaelic plays in their lives and careers.
Schools were provided with follow-up resources including information on Gaelic placenames in Fife and historical figures and events relating to the language in the area, including the herring boom and the Gaelic-speaking women who would travel round ports on the east coast of the country gutting the fish and sharing their language and song with other fisherfolk. Examples of the herring girls’ songs were included as simple and light-hearted Gaelic songs for the children to engage with.
The children in the five schools involved are learning Gaelic as an additional language as part of the curriculum. But, it is hoped that these Mini-fèis days have sparked a greater interest in furthering their learning, spotting Gaelic around them in their local areas and picking up and using Gaelic phrases and songs.
Here are what some of the schools had to say about their experience of the Mini-fèis:
“A total success. We were really lucky with the three tutors that came out. They were all absolutely fantastic with the pupils, engaging and personable. We are fortunate that they were able to share their talents with us… and personally I appreciated having three other islanders in school!”
“[The Mini-fèis] was absolutely fantastic. Our staff were raving about it and you could hear our children singing the songs throughout the day, showing their enthusiasm. It was an amazing day, such fun for everyone. A huge thank you to Josie, Innes and Grace and to Fèisean nan Gàidheal for arranging!”
“The team were brilliant and our staff and pupils were delighted to have had such a positive day of quality learning and experience!”
For more information on our Mini-fèis events, contact Fèisgoil Manager Eilidh Mackenzie on eilidh@feisean.scot.
