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Grand Tour for Great Book
14/09/2009
An international tour of 100 works of Gaelic art will extend its reach thanks to support from the Scottish Government.
Addressing the Islands Emigrants conference in Leverburgh, Harris, at the weekend Minister for Gaelic Michael Russell announced funding of £15,000 to support a series of events and other activity during The Great Book of Gaelic's tour of Nova Scotia, Canada.
The Great Book of Gaelic project is a collection of 100 commissioned artworks based on Scottish and Irish Gaelic poems.
As well as this exhibition of the original artwork, it is a book, CD of songs, BBC film, DVD, several radio series, an education pack and a website. It has toured 45 venues in Scotland and Ireland and has reached out overseas to areas where Scottish emigrants have settled.
Mr Russell said:
"The Island Emigrants conference has focused on the stories of the many people who have left these islands and settled in other parts of the world.
"Many strong links now exist between communities here and around the world. The Great Book of Gaelic is a fantastic example of how these links can and do enrich the cultural lives of communities on both sides.
"I have been a strong supporter of The Great Book project and I am glad we have been able to support its ever more ambitious programme as it embarks on this run in Nova Scotia."
The Great Book of Gaelic exhibition will open at Cape Breton University, Sydney on September 25. It will tour Port Hawkesbury, Halifax and Kentville next Spring before ending this leg of its tour in Antigonish later in the year.
Malcolm MacLean, Director of Pròiseact nan Ealan, said:
"We warmly welcome this support from the Scottish Government towards the Leabhar Mòr tour of Nova Scotia. The exhibition has been touring now for nearly seven years to prestige venues in 50 locations and has been seen by more than two million people. We are delighted to be working with the Nova Scotia Government who are sponsoring and organising the tour which will continue into 2011. This support from the Scottish Government demonstrates support for the project and the important links that exist between Scotland and Nova Scotia."
The Great Book of Gaelic exhibition has generated more than 150 associated events, been visited by more than 100 schools and inspired the numerous 'Wee Books of Gaelic'.