The Council of Europe and other international organisations have praised the regional final of a prestigious new European singing competition which is set to be hosted in Inverness.
Nòs Ùr, meaning 'new style' in Gaelic, is a Celtic and Scots language competition based on the Eurovision Song Contest format and will take place in Eden Court on Saturday 21st June. The winners will go on to represent the Celtic and Scots languages at a Grand European Final called Liet Lavlut in Sweden this October.
Sonia Parayre, Council of Europe Official, co-Secretary of the Committee of Experts to the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages said: “Initiatives such as the Nòs Ùr regional contest and the Liet Lavlut, where Europe's regional and minority languages are in the limelight, provide an ideal opportunity to give these languages a new lease of life and a positive image which is often sorely lacking, particularly among young people. What better way to unite people, than with the universal language of music? These events substantially contribute to the richness of Europe, its culture and its diversity.”
The competition, which will also feature a performance by leading Scots singer Karine Polwart in her role as a guest presenter, will be broadcast live to an internet audience across the world, drawing further international praise for Nòs Ùr.
Birger Winsa, Co-ordinator of Liet Lavlut in Luleå and associate professor at Stockholm University said: “Nòs Ùr is the first song contest for all Celtic and Scots languages and is one important step in the development of cultural infrastructures at a pan-european level for especially small regional or minority languages. This cultural network will improve the quality and quantity of songs in minority languages, attract youngsters to learn more Gaelic and create contacts crossing cultural, national and linguistic borders. It will thereby promote the creation of a pan-european market for songs in minority languages as well as cultural tourism in and between minority regions.”
Onno Falkena of the Liet Foundation in Friesland, the Netherlands, will be just one of the international visitors especially making the trip to Inverness to attend the contest: “I am very excited about this first performance of Nòs Ùr. The level of entries is very good and it is going to be an exciting evening. People who stay at home will definitely miss a unique cultural event. With Scotland, our Scandinavian partners and new partners in the south of Europe we are building a new European tradition.''
Event organiser Brian Ó hEadhra said: “We are pleased to be attracting such wide international support. Staging Nòs Ùr is a feather in the cap for Inverness and Saturday’s event will provide an excellent showcase for the Celtic and Scots languages.”
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, Colmcille, Scottish Arts Council and UHI Millennium Institute.