A major photographic competition, administered by the Colmcille project, aimed at capturing the lives of speakers of Scottish or Irish Gaelic or of the life of the Scottish Gaidhealtachd/Irish Gaeltacht, has been launched by the Minister for Gaelic Michael Russell MSP.
A keen photographer himself, with a long-term interest in various aspects of the history of photography, as well as being accustomed to being at the sharp end of a lens in his Ministerial role, Mr. Russell will be one of the judges casting his eye over the entrants for the 2009 competition.
Prizes of up to £2,000 are available in the competition which is for either colour or monochrome photographs depicting any aspect of the life of speakers of Scottish or Irish Gaelic or of the life of the Scottish Gaidhealtachd/Irish Gaeltacht.
There will be five prize-winners in all, in two categories: ADULT (16+) First prize £2000 /€2200; Second prize £750/€ 850; Third prize £500/€ 565 and JUNIOR (5-15 on 31/08/09) First prize £ 500/€565: Second prize £ 250/€280. Each prize-winner will also receive a framed copy of the Tìr Cholm Chille map.
Launching the competition in Edinburgh, the Minister said: “This is an excellent initiative which will focus on some of the most interesting and attractive aspects of Scottish and Irish life including our landscape, culture and heritage. I would like to commend Colmcille for taking forward this initiative. Colmcille has an important role to play in promoting the shared Gaelic language and culture of Ireland and Scotland and this competition provides another opportunity to celebrate and promote this. I look forward to hearing how the competition progresses and to judging the entries.”
Colmcille, (formerly Iomairt Cholm Chille, The Columba Initiative) is jointly managed by Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Foras na Gaelige as part of their mainstream activities. Mairi Murray, Colmcille’s Development Officer in Scotland said: “Since we launched this competition in its first format three years ago, we have been hugely encouraged by the innovation and imagination shown by entrants. The competition offers people within the Gaelic communities of Scotland and Ireland a great opportunity to capture their own environments, work situations, family occasions and the magnificent environments in which we all communicate. It is a great opportunity for amateur photographers to have their work recognised and offered to a wider audience through the calendars and other materials we produce through Colmcille and I have no doubt that this year will offer as a great selection and a significant challenge for the judges.”
Photographic entries for the competition must be submitted by 6pm, Monday 31st August, 2009.