From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Royal National Mod (Scottish Gaelic: Am Mòd Nàiseanta
Rìoghail) is the annual national mod, a festival
of Scottish Gaelic song, arts and culture.
The Mod is run by An Comunn Gàidhealach (The
Gaelic Association), and includes competitions and awards.
History
The Mod was founded by An Comunn Gàidhealach. St
Columba's Church, Glasgow also greatly influenced the Mod's
inception when, in 1891, its choir was invited to give a Gaelic
Concert in Oban, presided over by
Lord Archibald Campbell.[1]
The concert was a huge success and was attended by most of the
nobility, including Louise, Princess
Royal and Duchess of Fife. After the Concert the Choir were
entertained to supper at the Alexandra Hotel, and a description of
the entertainment is given in one of William Black's novels.[1]
This concert was the prelude to the Gaelic Mod, the first being
held at Oban the following year, when St. Columba Choir were
successful in the Choir competition.[1]
The Mod has been held most years in October since 1892. The only
years in which the National Mod was not held were the war years of
1914-1919 and 1939-1946. The "Royal" was not originally part of the
name. It is still the practice of the St Columba's Church to send a
Concert Party to start off the fund-raising when the Mod visits Oban. As well as winning the premier
Choir competition for the first three years, the church has also
had many Mod Gold Medallists over the years.
Competitions
The Mod largely takes the form of formal competitions. Choral
events and traditional music including Gaelic
song, fiddle, bagpipe, clarsach
and folk groups dominate. Spoken word events include children and
adult's poetry reading,
storytelling and Bible reading,
and categories such as Ancient Folk Tale or Humorous Monologue. Children can
also present an original drama,
and there are competitions in written literature. The Mod also runs an annual shinty competition, the Mod Cup,
between the two shinty teams closest to the place where the Mod is
taking place.
The winners of each day's competitions are invited to perform in
the winners' céilidhs
held every evening.
One of the aims of the Mod is "securing the future of Gaelic
language and culture".[2]
Culturally, the Mod is comparable to the Welsh Eisteddfod.
The Mod
Fringe
The Mod draws a large crowd, which leads local venues to put on
various events in addition to the official Mod events. These events
are collectively referred to as The Mod Fringe,
analogous to the Edinburgh Festival
Fringe, which began as a group of independent artists
performing in Edinburgh at the same time as the Edinburgh International
Festival.
To participants, the Mod is also an opportunity to meet with old
friends and make new ones. The Mod is popularly known as the "Whisky
Olympics",[2]
considered "either a vicious slur or fair comment".[3]
Media
coverage
BBC Scotland
has traditionally broadcasts Mod highlights on both BBC Two and
Radio nan Gàidheal.[2]
Since its introduction in 2008, BBC Alba has provided coverage in
Gaelic.
Presenters have included traditional musician, Gaelic speaker
and broadcaster, Mary Ann Kennedy and Gaelic
broadcaster Cathy Crombie.[2]
Past
and Future festivals
The Mod is held each October, and has been held in locations
throughout Scotland, both
highland and lowland. Recent and future locations
include:
References
External
links
Wikis
Quiz
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