worldculturenet.com

Burns Suppers

A Burns Supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of the Scottish poet Robert Burns. The suppers, also referred to as Burns Night, are held on or near the poet’s birthday on January 25. The tradition has become popular as a celebration of Scottish heritage.

The basic format for the evening has remained unchanged since they were first started by friends of Burns a few years after his death in 1796. The supper begins when the chairman invites the company to stand and receive the “haggis,” a traditional Scottish dish made of sheep’s “pluck” (the heart, liver and lungs), minced with oninon, oatmeal, suet, pices and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally boiled in the animal’s stomach. The guests stand and clap while a piper leads in the chef, carrying the haggis. The chairman or an invited guest then recites Burns’ famous poem “To A Haggis.” When he reaches the line “an cut you up wi’ ready slight,” he cuts open the haggis with a sharp knife. The company traditionally applauds the speaker and then toasts the haggis with a glass of whisky.

A typical Burns supper dinner menu might include a cock-a-leekie soup, the haggis served with potatoes and turnips (tatties and neeps), and a “tipsy laird,” or sherry trifle. After supper, one of the guests is asked to give a short speech on Burns. The main speech is followed by a more light-hearted address to the women in the audience. The tone should be witty, but never offensive. The lassies then respond with a light-hearted toast to the men, or ladies.

Once the speeches are complete, the evening continues with a selection of songs and poems. The supper concludes with the company standing and singing “Auld Lang Syne.”

Popularity: 2% [?]