This is the second year in a row that Inverness has been chosen and follows on from the city's success in staging the inaugural launch of the competition last summer. It was broadcast worldwide on the internet and performed live before a large audience at Eden Court Theatre.
Nòs Ùr, meaning 'new style' in Gaelic, is a Celtic and Scots language competition including the following languages: Scots Gaelic, Irish Gaelic, Scots, Ulster Scots, Manx Gaelic, Welsh, Cornish, Breton. It attracted numerous entries for its 2008 launch from all over the UK, Ireland and parts of Europe. Two winners, who were selected by a panel of judges and a public vote, then went on to represent the Celtic languages at a Grand European final in Sweden in October.
The announcement of the city's success in attracting Nòs Ùr came as organisers revealed they are now open to song applications from singers and bands who want to represent their minority language in the 2009 competition.
Event organiser Brian Ó hEadhra said: "The inaugural Nòs Ùr was a great success and Inverness can be proud that it hosted a big competition which is so important to Gaelic and other minority languages. We are now open for entries for 2009 and artistes have until February 28th to send in their applications.
"The regional final will take place at Eden Court Theatre on 20th June. Other related events on the day will include a conference on minority languages hosted by UHI Millennium Institute and a number of music industry workshops for teenage bands singing in minority languages. There will also be a minority language concert on Friday 19th June to give young up and coming artistes an opportunity to play to bigger audiences.
"The 2008 winners received major industry and media interest when they travelled to Lulea in Sweden to partake in the Grand European final which is called Liet Lavlut. We are confident that 2009 will be even more successful with entrants, supporters and media from around Europe descending on Inverness come next June."
The event is being staged by goEvents which promotes and develops creative arts in the Highlands and Islands. It is supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Highland Council, MG Alba, Colmcille, Scottish Arts Council and UHI Millennium Institute. More sponsors to follow.
www.nos-ur.eu