Burns Night

Robert Burns (1759 -1796) A British (Scottish) poet, author of numerous poems and verses

Fact File Birth name: Robert Burns Date of birth: January 25, 1759 Place of birth: Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland Date of death: July 21, 1796 Place of death: Dumfries, Scotland Citizenship: the United Kingdom Occupation: poet Years of work: 1774-1796 Direction: Romanticism Genre: poems, songs, ballads, anthems Debut: O’ Once I Lov’d a Bonnie Lass (1774)

Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet, was born on January 25, 1759 in Scotland. His father, William Burns, was a poor farmer. There were seven children in the family and Robert was the eldest. Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet, was born on January 25, 1759 in Scotland. His father, William Burns, was a poor farmer. There were seven children in the family and Robert was the eldest.

Robert was sent to school at the age of six, but he attended school in turn with his brother. Later Robert’s father taught him reading and writing, arithmetic, English grammar, history, literature, even Latin - that was Robert Burns' education. Robert was sent to school at the age of six, but he attended school in turn with his brother. Later Robert’s father taught him reading and writing, arithmetic, English grammar, history, literature, even Latin - that was Robert Burns' education.

Robert Burns became fond of reading. He read whatever he could lay his hands on. His favourite writers were Shakespeare, Smolett, Robert Fergusson, a talented Scottish poet. Fergusson’s tragic fate deeply touched Burns. Burns devoted many verses to Fergusson.

Robert Burns began to write poetry when he was fifteen. He composed verses to the melodies of folksongs. He sang of the woods, fields and wonderful valleys of his native land.

The first works Burns published some of his poems in 1786. Their success made Robert Burns well known and popular.

Works of Burns Among 560 poems and songs , the most loved are : Ae Fond Kiss A Red Red Rose Tam O’Shanter Address to the Haggis My heart's in the Highlands A Man’s a Man for A’ That Auld Lang Syne

Popularity By 1785 Burns became popular as the author of dramatic monologues and satire.

But soon Robert Burns left Edinburgh and returned to his native village with enough money to buy a farm and marry Jean Armour. Burns devoted to Jean many beautiful poems, such as ‘I love my Jean’, ‘Bonnie Jean’.

Although Robert Burns’ poems were very popular, he always remained poor. He worked hard and his health was destroyed. He died in poverty at the age of 37 in 1796. The death room of Robert Burns

Robert Burns’ poems and verses inspired Beethoven, Mendelssohn and other composers who wrote music to them. Burns is a democratic poet. His sympathy was with poor, that is why his funeral was attended by a crowd of ten thousand. They were common Scottish people whom he had loved and for whom he had written his poems and songs.

Burns Monument in Dorchester square, Montréal, Québec Statue of Burns in Dumfries town centre, unveiled in 1882

Burns statue by David Watson Stevenson (1898) in Bernard Street, Leith Burns statue in New Zealand

People like Burns poetry, because it is very close to people’s lives. People like Burns poetry, because it is very close to people’s lives. He wrote about the national struggle of the Scottish people for their liberation from English oppression. Burns considered his literary work as his patriotic duty.

The poetry and songs of Robert Burns The poetry and songs of Robert Burns are famous all over the world.

Robert Burns Mausoleum at St. Michael's churchyard in Dumfries

A Night for All Scots! Burns Night is celebrated by the poet’s fans worldwide.

For the first time, a Burns supper was held at the cottage where Scotland’s national bard was born. The very first Burns supper – including haggis, toasts to the poet and recitals of his work – was held by a group of his friends in the Alloway cottage in 1801. In 1806 the first Burns Supper was held outside Scotland, in Oxford. In the USA and Canada, Burns Suppers have been held every year since 1820.

Burns Suppers celebrate many aspects of Scottish culture including music, whisky, tartan and dancing. At a Burns Supper, a traditional meal is served and there are speeches and poetry recitals. The highlight of the meal is the arrival of the haggis. This Scottish dish is brought to the table with great ceremony to the words of Burns’ poem ‘Address to a Haggis’. A Burns Supper can be formal or informal as it is adapted to suit the guests. Good company, good food and some of Burns’ poems or songs are at the heart of a good Burns Supper.

Piping in the guests A big-time Burns Night calls for a piper to welcome guests. For more formal events, the audience should stand to welcome arriving guests: the piper plays until the high table is ready to be seated.

2. Chairman's welcome The host warmly welcomes and introduces the assembled guests, stating the reason for the gathering. 3. The Selkirk Grace ЗАЗДРАВНЫЙ ТОСТ У которых есть, что есть, - те подчас не могут есть, А другие могут есть, да сидят без хлеба. А у нас тут есть, что есть, да при этом есть, чем есть, Значит, нам благодарить остается небо! The Selkirk Grace is a Scots-language prayer traditionally recited at a Burns supper. When all the guests are seated, just before the haggis comes out, the Selkirk Grace is recited.

Next, another poem by Robert Burns called ‘Address to a Haggis’ is recited. The speaker will dramatically plunge the knife into the haggis so that the pudding is sliced open! As the final lines of the poem are spoken, the plate of haggis is lifted up to the words Gie her a haggis! These words are followed by great applause! A toast is then given to the Haggis and it is taken away to be served later. 4.Piping in the haggis

The traditional meal Starter Cock-a-leekie soup Main course Haggis, neeps & tatties Dessert Clootie Dumpling (a pudding prepared in a linen cloth or cloot) or Typsy Laird (Scottish sherry trifle); Cheeseboard with oatcakes

More speeches and performances of Burns’ poems and songs take place after the meal. Popular choices from the works of Robert Burns are the love song A Red, Red Rose or the spooky tale Tam O’ Shanter. Next, the Immortal Memory speech is made about the life of Robert Burns. It is usually an entertaining speech that talks about Burns’ work and his character. The speaker always finishes by inviting guests to toast the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns.

F F F F T

1. be in for a treat you’ll get a surprise 2. heart the organ which pumps blood around the body 3. liver the organ which neutralizes toxic substances and cleans the blood 4. lungs the organs that you use when breathing Check the words

5. recite to read aloud 6. toasts drinks to the health of … 7. raising their glasses lifting up their glasses 8. turnip a yellow root vegetable with sweet taste 9. accompanied by served with Check the words

Should auld acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind Should auld acquaintance be forgot And auld lang syne For auld lang syne, my dear For auld lang syne We’ll take a cup of kindness yet For auld lang syne For auld lang syne Если старый знакомый будет забыт, То о нем никогда не вспомнят. Если старый знакомый будет забыт - Старое доброе время тоже. За старое доброе время, мой дорогой, За старое доброе время. Мы еще поднимем бокал доброты За старое доброе время, За старое доброе время.