Tha Seachdain na Gàidhlig san treas bliadhna agus thathar ag ullachadh airson prògram nas dian-thograiche na bh’ againn gu ruige seo is na h-eagraichean a’ cur fàilte air a’ chiad sreath de thachartasan sa phrògram airson 2024 a tha loma-làn de rudan fon chuspair Do Chànan. Do Chothrom.

Thèid a’ chiad seachdain cànain nàiseanta oifigeil d’ a leithid ann an Alba, Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2024 a chumail eadar 19mh is 25mh dhen Ghearran agus thèid pailteas de thachartasan beòthail a chumail air feadh na dùthcha agus thall thairis, an dà chuid aghaidh ri aghaidh agus air loidhne.

Eadar bùthan-obrach is tursan coiseachd, maidnean cofaidh is cèilidhean, tha coimhearsnachdan an ìmpis cruinneachadh airson am meas a th’ aca air dualchas agus dearbh-aithne chultarach na h-Alba a chomharradh.

Chaidh 53 tachartas ann an 17 sgìre comhairle am maoineachadh am bliadhna tro mhaoin nan tabhartasan beaga, le taic Bòrd na Gàidhlig. Ach chan ann dìreach dhan fheadhainn a fhuair taic-airgid a tha Seachdain na Gàidhlig , agus tha eagraichean na h-iomairt airson dèanamh soilleir gum faod a h-uile duine pàirt a ghabhail ann.

Mairidh an tachartas seo fad seachdain agus tha e airson fàilte a chur air daoine fa leth, coimhearsnachdan, buidhnean, clubaichean is sgoiltean air dòigh sam bith. Ge be còmhradh neo-fhoirmeil ann an Gàidhlig, co-roinneadh de dh’abairt Ghàidhlig no pàirt a ghabhail ann an gin sam bith dhe na tachartasan a chumar rè na seachdain ann an iomadh àite, cuiridh taic sam bith, beag no mòr, ri grèis-bhrat na fèille fad is farsaing seo. Faodaidh duine sam bith a tha airson pàirt a ghabhail an tachartas acasan a chur ri prògram na seachdaine tro leabhar-latha oifigeil aig: https://seachdainnagaidhlig.scot/events/.

Thèid tachartasan a chumail fad is leud na h-Alba agus thall thairis. Cumaidh Fèis Latharna An Seisean Seinn san Òban, bùth-obrach ciùil do dhaoine eadar 11 is 18 bliadhna a dh’aois o sgìrean an Òbain is Latharna, le taisbeantas neo-fhoirmeil dhan a h-uile duine aig deireadh an tachartais. Cuideachd ann an Earra Ghàidheal is Bòd, cuiridh Bun-sgoil Chàrdan Roiscafaidh air chois dhan sgoil air fad, a’ cur fàilte cuideachd air pàrantan is air a’ choimhearsnachd air fad agus tha Comunn nam Pàrant an Òbain a’ dol a chumail cèilidh teaghlaich do gach ball dhen choimhearsnachd, a’ toirt cothrom do dhaoine le Gàidhlig, ge be dè an ìre, na sgilean cànain aca a chleachdadh.

Cuiridh Buidheann Gàidhlig Mhoireibh, còmhla ri Colaiste Mhoireibh aig Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean, air chois prògram do luchd-ionnsachaidh is luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig agus duine sam bith aig a bheil ùidh ann an eachdraidh is cultar na Gàidhlig. Ann an Glaschu, cumaidh Suas leis a’ Bhingo oidhche bingo sa bhaile agus tha Urras Taigh-tasgaidh Iasgachd na h-Alba Earr. ann am Fìobha a’ cur air dòigh seisean air òrain obrach clann-nighean an sgadain, a’ toirt sùil air òrain obrach Ghàidhlig  do dh’aoighean an taighe-thasgaidh agus muinntir an àite le bùth-obrach eadar-ghnìomhach agus seisean for-ruigheachd sna Dreel Halls.

Tha pailteas de choimhearsnachdan air feadh na Gàidhealtachd a’ gabhail pàirt, eadar seiseanan criadhadaireachd aig Ionad Thròndairnis san Eilean Sgitheanach is clasaichean gluasaid is ciùil aig Sgoil Dannsa Cheryl Heggie ann an Inbhir Nis.

Tha eileanan na h-Alba a’ gabhail pàirt cuideachd, le Fèis Arainn a’ cumail taisbeanadh mu obair Iain Mac an Deòir as leth Dhiùc Earra-Ghàidheal agus tha Comunn na Gàidhlig Ìle a’ toirt cuireadh dhan choimhearsnachd gu feasgar sgeulachdan is òrain co-cheangailte ri bailtean Ìle, le cudrom air sgeulachdan is beul-aithris a chaidh air chall.

Bidh bùthan-obrach air loidhne ann gach lath am bliadhna cuideachd airson sgoiltean a tha a’ gabhail pàirt a’ chiad turas, le goireasan is bùthan-obrach ri am faighinn a tha iomchaidh dha na sgoiltean ge be dè an ìre de Ghàidhlig aca – eadar fìor luchd-tòiseachaidh is feadhainn a tha fileanta. Ma tha ùidh aig sgoil, mholar dhaibh seo a nochdadh aig https://seachdainnagaidhlig.scot/education/.

Mar phàirt dhen fhèill ann an 2024, ’s urrainn do dhaoine òga fo aois 18 pàirt a ghabhail ann an co-fharpais lèine-t, a’ dealbhadh stuth marsantachd oifigeil do thachartas na h-athbhliadhna. Airson cothrom a thoirt dhan ghinealach òg a dhol an sàs cultar na Gàidhlig iad fhèin tro obair-ealain, thèid iarraidh orra sa cho-fharpais dealbhadh a chruthachadh a chuireas an cèill na th’ anns a’ Ghàidhlig dhaibhsan.

’S e Latha na h-abairt Ghàidhlig a bhios air Diardaoin 22mh dhen Ghearran is thathar a’ toirt brosnachadh do dhaoine de dh’aois sam bith, ge be dè an eachdraidh aca fhèin agus dè an ìre de Ghàidhlig aca clip a chlàradh dhiubh fhèin a’ bruidhinn na Gàidhlig agus a cho-roinneadh sna meadhanan sòisealta leis an taga-hais #SeachdainNaGàidhlig2024 no #LathaNahAbairtGhàidhlig.

Cuiridh Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2024 fàilte cuideachd air dà thosgaire Gàidhlig, an tè a bhuannaich Duais Foghlam Gàidhlig 2022 agus Tosgaire Gàidhlig Òg na Bliadhna, Rachel Kellow, agus seinneadair Gàidhlig, preasantair tbh is Tosgaire Gàidhlig na Bliadhna Linda Nicleòid. Tha an dà bhoireannach air obair mhòr a dhèanamh thairis air na bliadhnaichean airson ’s gum bi Gàidhlig ann am beatha làitheil mhòran air feadh na h-Alba agus nas fhaide air falbh agus a chumas orra a’ dèanamh dìreach sin aig Seachdain na Gàidhlig am bliadhna.

Thuirt Joy Dunlop, Ceannard Seachdain na Gàidhlig: “’S e seachdain dhan a h-uile duine a th’ ann an Seachdain na Gàidhlig, chaidh a dhealbhadh airson brosnachadh a thoirt dhan a h-uile duine a chur an cèill na th’ anns a’ Ghàidhlig dhaibhsan is gaol a bhith aca oirre agus faodaidh e a bhith na fhèill chudromach dhen dearbh-aithne chultarach againn. San dà bhliadhna seo chaidh, bha freagairt dho-chreidsinneach ann is chuir luchd-labhairt agus luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig de dh’ìre sam bith gu feum an cothrom seo an cànan a chomharradh is a sgaoileadh air iomadh dòigh chruthachail.

“’S e àm air leth togarrach a th’ ann dhan chànan is sinne an ìmpis Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2024 is pailteas de thachartasan dearbhte againn mar-thà de dh’iomadh seòrsa. Ge be dè cho fileanta ’s a tha thu, tha sinn a’ cur fàilte chridheil ort pàirt a ghabhail ann, ann an Alba no àite sam bith eile! Chan eil e gu diofar a bheil thu a’ cur rudeigin air chois no a’ dol gu tachartas, a’ rùrachadh na làraich-lìn againn airson rudan a tha a’ dol faisg ort no a’ co-roinneadh videothan de dh’abairtean Gàidhlig, bidh an doras fosgailte dhan a h-uile duine rè na seachdaine seo – ge be dè cho fileanta ’s a tha thu. Dhan fheadhainn a th’ air ùr-thighinn dhan Ghàidhlig, seo puing-thòiseachaidh air leth dhan turas agaibh. Ge be cò th’ annad, seo do chànan ’s do chothrom.”

Thuirt Ealasaid Dhòmhnallach, Ceannard Bhòrd na Gàidhlig: “Tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig glè thoilichte taic a chumail ri Sheachdain na Gàidhlig tro Mhaoin nan Tabhartas Beaga a-rithist am bliadhna. ’S e prìomh amas a’ Phlana Nàiseanta Gàidhlig ùr cleachdadh na Gàidhlig a mheudachadh agus tha Seachdain na Gàidhlig a’ cruthachadh diofar chothroman gus Gàidhlig a chleachdadh tro ghnìomhachdan a tha gu math tlachdmhor. ‘S e deagh dhearbhadh a th’ ann an Seachdain na Gàidhlig gu bheil a’ Ghàidhlig beò agus air a chleachdadh ann an dachaighean, coimhearsnachdan, sgoiltean agus àiteachan obrach air feadh na h-Alba – mar sin gabh pàirt ann agus bi mar phàirt de seachdain a tha a bhios, a-rithist, air leth tarraingeach agus spòrsail.”

//

Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) is gearing up for its third and most ambitious year as organisers unveil the first wave of events in the week’s packed programme for 2024, with the theme Do Chànan. Do Chothrom, which translates to Your Language. Your Opportunity.

The first official nationwide language week of its kind in Scotland, Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2024 will run from 19th – 25th February and will see a plethora of vibrant events take place across the country and beyond, both in person and online.

From workshops to walking tours, coffee mornings to cèilidhs, communities are set to come together to share their appreciation for Scotland’s heritage and cultural identity.

This year, 53 events across 17 council areas have been funded with help from the Small Grants Fund, supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig. Seachdain na Gàidhlig is not just for those who have received financial support, however, with organisers keen to emphasise that everyone and anyone can get involved.

The essence of the week-long event lies in welcoming individuals, community groups, clubs and schools to take part in any way they can. Whether it’s a casual conversation in Gaelic, sharing a Gaelic phrase or joining any of the numerous events happening throughout the week, every contribution, no matter how small, enriches the tapestry of this widespread celebration. Anyone keen to take part can add their own event to the week’s programme through the official online diary at: https://seachdainnagaidhlig.scot/events/.

Events are happening across the length and breadth of Scotland and beyond. In Oban, Fèis Latharna will run An Seisean Seinn, a music workshop involving 11-18 year olds from the Oban and Lorn area, with an inclusive, informal performance set to round off the event. Also in Argyll and Bute, Cardross Primary are running a café for the whole school to attend, as well as parents and the wider community, while Comunn nam Pàrant An Òbain are planning a family ceilidh for all members of the community, providing Gaelic users of all levels an opportunity to use and practise their language skills.

Moray Gaelic Group, along with the University of the Highlands and Islands Moray College, are facilitating a programme that supports learners, speakers and anyone interested in Gaelic history and culture. Glasgow’s Suas leis a’ Bhingo is set to host a Gaelic bingo night in the city, while The Scottish Fisheries Museum Trust Ltd in Fife is running a Herring Lass Working Songs session, exploring Gaelic working songs for museum visitors and local families with an interactive workshop and an outreach session at the Dreel Halls.

A host of communities across the Highlands are taking part, from pottery sessions with Ionad Thròndairnis in Skye to music and movement classes at the Cheryl Heggie School of Dance in Inverness.

Scottish islands are also getting involved, with Fèis Arainnhosting a presentation on the work of John Dewar, on behalf of the Duke of Argyll, and the Comunn na Gàidhlig Ìle inviting members of the community to an afternoon of storytelling and songs associated with the local villages of Islay, with a focus on lost stories and folklore.

This year’s festival will also see daily online workshops for schools take place across the country for the first time, offering resources and workshops that are tailored to suit schools with all levels of Gaelic experience – from total beginners to fluent speakers. Schools are encouraged to register their interest at https://seachdainnagaidhlig.scot/education/.

Also as part of the 2024 festival, youngsters under the age of 18 will be invited to take part in a T-shirt competition, designing the official merchandise for the 2025 event. Serving as a platform for the younger generation to engage directly with Gaelic culture through artistic expression, the competition asks participants to create a design based on what Gaelic means to them.

Thursday 22 February will be dubbed Say a Gaelic Phrase Day, with people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds encouraged to film themselves speaking the language and share it on social media, using the hashtag #SeachdainNaGàidhlig2024 or #SayAGaelicPhraseDay.

Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2024 also welcomes two Gaelic Ambassadors, 2022 Gaelic Education Award winner and Young Gaelic Ambassador of the Year Rachel Kellow and Gaelic singer, TV presenter and Gaelic Ambassador of the Year Linda Macleod. Both women have worked hard over the years to bring Gaelic into the everyday lives of countless people across Scotland and further afield, and will continue to do so throughout this year’s Seachdain na Gàidhlig.

Joy Dunlop, Director of Seachdain na Gàidhlig, said: “Seachdain na Gàidhlig is an inclusive week, designed to encourage everyone to embrace and express what the Gaelic language signifies to them and act as an important celebration of our cultural identity. Over the past two years, we’ve witnessed an incredible response, with Gaelic speakers and learners of all proficiencies seizing the opportunity to celebrate and share the language through various creative avenues.

“It’s a very exciting time for the language as we embark on Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2024, which is already boasting a diverse array of confirmed events. Regardless of your fluency, we extend a warm invitation for all to participate, in Scotland and beyond! Whether hosting or attending an event, exploring our website for nearby opportunities or sharing videos of Gaelic phrases, this week is an open door for everyone – regardless of your proficiency level. For those new to Gaelic, this serves as an ideal starting point on your journey. Whoever you are, this is your language and your opportunity.”

Ealasaid MacDonald, Ceannard, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said:“Bòrd na Gàidhlig is very happy to support Seachdain na Gàidhlig through the Small Grants Fund again this year. A primary aim of the new National Gaelic Language Plan is to increase the use of Gàidhlig and Seachdain na Gàidhlig is providing varied opportunities to use Gaelic through some very enjoyable activities. Seachdain na Gàidhlig is a positive demonstration that Gàidhlig is active and vibrant in households, communities, schools and workplaces across Scotland – so join in and be part of what promises to be, once again, an engaging week.”

Over 1,000 people took part in more than 100 events forSeachdain na Gàidhlig 2023, both in person and online, with 51 of these receiving support from the Small Grants Fund.  Schools, community groups, libraries, musicians and football teams were among those who joined in the fun.

Organised by Scottish traditional culture and music organisation Hands Up For Trad, with support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Creative Scotland, Seachdain na Gàidhlig will take place from 19th – 25th February 2024.

Seachdain na Gàidhlig is a charity, donations to support its organisation can be made at https://handsupfortrad.enthuse.com/sng#!/.

For a full list of events running throughout the week and information on how to get involved, please visit: www.seachdainnagaidhlig.scot.