The Fèisean have picked up an award at the Scots Traditional Music Awards, held in Fort William at the weekend (2 December 2006). Fèisean nan Gàidheal, a movement which started in Barra in 1981, and which now offers tuition in Gaelic song, music, drama and language to around 13,000 participants annually, was given the award for Best Community Project.

Accepting the award, the Director of Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Gaelic Singer Arthur Cormack said: “The award is accepted on behalf of all the Fèisean, and it is the volunteers and professionals who work together who deserve to be honoured. Their contribution remains huge, and I pay tribute to all those involved in the Fèis Movement. I would also like to thank the four main supporters of the Fèis movement over the years: the Scottish Arts Council, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and The Highland Council, whose support has been sterling.”

The award was particularly apposite, coming at the end of a day that saw the launch of a new book from Fèisean nan Gaidheal, which celebrates 25 years of the movement. The publication ‘Fèis: the first 25 years of the fèis movement’ tells the story of the people who have been involved in the fèisean, alongside views and opinions from those who have an interest in the movement.

The launch event featured contributions from Jim Tough, Director of Arts and Deputy Chief Executive of the Scottish Arts Council, some young musicians from Fèis Lochabair, and from Kate Martin, the book’s editor, now a lecturer in Community Education at the University of Dundee, but who had previously been involved in establishing a number of fèisean in the Highlands during the mid-eighties and nineties.

The publication received financial assistance from the Scottish Arts Council, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Seirbhis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig, The Highland Council, Pròiseact nan Ealan and Comunn na Gàidhlig.

Iomairt nam Fèisean a’ faighinn urram aig na Duaisean Chìuil Traidiseanta

Thog na Fèisean duais aig na Duaisean Chiùil Traidiseanta a bha a’ tachairt anns a’ Ghearasdan aig an deireadh sheachdain. Fhuair Fèisean nan Gàidheal, an iomairt a thòisich ann an 1981 ann an Eilean Bharraigh agus a tha a-nise a’ toirt oideachaidh ann an Seinn Gàidhlig, ceòl traidiseanta, drama agus cànan do timcheall air 13,000 gach bliadhna, duais airson na Tachartas Coimhearsnachd a B’ fhèarr.

A’ togail na duais, thuirt Stiùiriche Fhèisean nan Gàidheal, an t-seinneadair Gàidhlig Art MacCarmaig: “’S ann airson na fèisean uile a tha an duais a tha seo, agus is iad na daoine a tha ag obair gu saor-thoileach agus na proifeiseantaich a tha ag obair còmhla riutha a tha airidh air urram, agus tha mi a’ cur beannachd dhan a h-uile duine a tha an-sàs anns na fèisean. Bu mhath leam taing shònraichte a thoirt dha na buidhnean a tha air a bhith gar maoineachadh thairis nam bliadhnaichean: Comhairle Ealain na h-Alba, Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean, Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, a tha air taic ionmholta a thoirt dhuinn.”

Bha an duais gu math iomchaidh a’ tighinn aig deireadh latha air an dh’fhoillsich Fèisean nan Gàidheal leabhar ùr a' comharrachadh còig bliadhna thar fhichead de dh’iomairt nam fèisean. Tha an leabhar ‘Fèis: the first 25 years of the fèis movement’ ag innse sgeulachdan dhaoine a th’ air a bhith an sàs anns na fèisean, cuide ri beachdan bho dhaoine aig a bheil ùidh anns an iomairt.

Chuala na bha an làthair iomradh bho Jim Tough, Stiùiriche Ealain Chomhairle nan Ealan, ceòl bho luchd-ciùil òga Fhèis Lochabair, agus òraid bho Cheit Mhàrtainn, an diugh na h-Òraidiche ann an Oilthigh Dhùn Dè, ach a bha an-sàs ann a bhith a' stèidheachadh fèisean air feadh na Gaidhealtachd anns na h-ochdadan is na naochadan.

Fhuair an leabhar taic-airgid bho Chomhairle Ealan na h-Alba, Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig, Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, Pròiseact nan Ealan agus Comunn na Gàidhlig.