Fèisean across the country made a welcome return to in-person activities during the Easter holidays after a 2-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic. A number of week-long tuition events, workshop days and concerts were held during the school break, welcoming hundreds of excited young people to learn traditional music, Gaelic song, drama and art from highly skilled tutors, all of which were organised by volunteer-led committees.
During the pandemic Fèisean embraced technology and continued to deliver vast programmes of tuition with regular online lessons and workshops, keeping participants engaged and providing employment opportunities for tutors who lost other sources of income. This has been a positive step for Fèisean, with many additional skills gained by committees and tutors and the young people who were able to access these opportunities.
With restrictions being eased, the opportunity for Fèisean to return to face-to-face activities is very much welcomed by committees, tutors and participants alike.
In the run-up to these in-person Easter fèisean, Development Manager at Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Calum Alex MacMillan said:
“Fèisean nan Gàidheal is delighted to be supporting Fèisean as they make a return to in-person events over the Easter holidays. Covid has caused so many events and activities to be cancelled and postponed, with our young people missing out on so much. Although the focus of the Fèisean is tuition in the traditional Gaelic arts, they provide much more than that, giving young people and their communities, opportunities to come together and learn, socialise, develop skills and knowledge of their local culture as well as supporting the local economy. It is fantastic to see the excitement and enthusiasm of the Fèis committees and we wish them every success with their upcoming events”.
The following events took place over the Easter break:
2nd April
Fèis Phaislig Easter Concert – Paisley
4 & 5th April
Fèis Obar Dheathain – Aberdeen
4th – 8th April
Fèis an Earraich – Skye & Lochalsh
Fèis Latharna – Oban
Fèis Rois Oigridh – Ross-shire
8th April
Fèis a’ Bhaile Easter Fèis Day – Inverness
8th & 9th April
Luach – Lewis & Harris
11th – 15th April
Fèis Taigh Dhonnchaidh – Isle of Lewis
Chaidh Fèis Taigh Dhonnchaidh a chumail eadar 11 – 15 Giblean 2022 ann an Nis ann an Eilean Leòdhais. Bha com-pàirtichean eadar aois 4 – 18 an lathair agus chòrd e ris a h-uile duine a bhith air ais còmhla aghaidh ri aghaidh. Bha tòrr spòrs a’ dol!
Fèis Taigh Dhonnchaidh took place between 11-15th April 2022 in Ness in the Isle of Lewis. It was very well attended by participants aged 4-18 and everyone was delighted to be back together face to face again.
Fèisgoil activities continue with almost all provision now happening face-to-face in school classrooms as well as continuing to embrace outdoor learning where appropriate.
For more information on Fèisean nan Gàidheal events visit www.feisean.org or find us on facebook.com/feisean