The Big Burns Supper festival is back with 150 events across Dumfries, celebrating Scotland’s national poet from January 17 to February 2
You can expect a mix of entertainment, including a light show with five installations, cabaret, comedy, and music. This festival celebrates the life and legacy of Robert Burns, Scotland’s beloved national poet.
Graham Main, the festival’s executive producer, is excited about expanding the event beyond Dumfries. He mentioned that the festival focuses on community and making Burns accessible to everyone.
On Burns Night, January 25, community suppers will take place in various locations like Stranraer, Newton Stewart, and Dumfries, in places like community halls and pubs. One special venue is Ellisland Farm, where Burns lived and created some of his famous works.
Joan McAlpine from the Robert Burns Ellisland Museum said it’s thrilling to invite the community to celebrate in the barn that Burns built. She emphasized that the festival aims to share Scottish culture with everyone, making it inclusive for all ages and backgrounds.
This year is particularly special as there have been many sightings of the Northern Lights. Mr. Main noted that the increased solar activity has led to stunning aurora images from across Scotland, which will be a highlight of the festival.
David Hope-Jones, from the South of Scotland Destination Alliance, believes the festival is crucial for boosting the local economy. He pointed out that it helps local businesses during a tough time of year by attracting visitors to the region.
For more details, you can check out the full program at www.bigburnssupper.com.
