WHO IS ROBBIE BURNS
Robert Burns, (25 Jan. 1759 – 21 July 1796) also known as Rabbie Burns, Scotland's favourite son and in Scotland as simply The Bard, was a poet and a lyricist. His poem, and song, Auld Lang Syne is sung at Hogmanay (New Year) around the world.
He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and celebrated worldwide. He is the best-known of the poets who wrote in the Scots language, although much of his writing is also in English and a 'light' Scots dialect. He also wrote in standard English, and in these pieces, his political or civil commentary is often at its most blunt.
He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement and after his death became an important source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism.
Burns Night, effectively a second national day, is celebrated on 25 January with Burns suppers around the world, and is still more widely observed than the official national day, Saint Andrew's Day, or the North American celebration Tartan Day.
The format of Burns suppers has not changed since Robert's death in 1796. The basic format starts with a general welcome and announcements followed with the Selkirk Grace. After grace comes the piping & cutting of a Haggis, where his famous Address To a Haggis is read, and the haggis is cut open. The event usually allows for people to start eating just after the haggis is presented. This is when the reading called the immortal memory, an overview of Robert's life and work is given; usually followed by the singing of Auld Lang Syne.
As well as making original compositions, Burns also collected folk songs from across Scotland, often revising or adapting them. His song Scots Wha Hae was the unofficial national anthem of Scotland. Other poems and songs that remain well-known across the world today, include A Red, Red Rose, A Man's A Man for A' That, To a Louse, To a Mouse, The Battle of Sherramuir, and Ae Fond Kis
