Comhairlichean a’ moladh Fèis Blas

Tha Buill Comataidh Gàidhlig Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd air fàilte a chur air tuairmse caomhnach gu bheil buaidh eaconamach £7.6M air a bhith aig Fèis Blas air eaconamaidh na Gàidhealtachd thairis air na 18 bliadhna a chaidh seachad.

Chaidh fiosrachadh a thoirt do chomhairlichean ann an aithisg mu thoraidhean Fèis Blas 2022 a lìbhrig còrr is 40 tachartas coimhearsnachd, turas dràma ann an sgoiltean, tachartasan air-loidhne, bùithtean-obrach an-asgaidh, consairtean air an sruthadh beò, agus seisean de dh’òrain Ghàidhlig.

Ann an 2022, chaidh Fèis Blas a chumail bho 2 gu 10 dhen t-Sultain. B’ e com-pàirteachas a bha san fhèis an toiseach eadar Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd agus Fèisean nan Gàidheal (FnaG) agus tha an fhèis a-nis air a bhith a’ dol air adhart fad 18 bliadhna.

Tha taic na Comhairle air cothrom a thoirt do FnaG maoineachadh a tharraing bho Alba Chruthachail agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig, agus ann an 2022 bho Thaighean-tasgaidh agus Gailearaidhean na h-Alba.

Tro naoi làithean Blas, chaidh 43 consairt is cèilidh a chumail a bharrachd air seisean òrain Ghàidhlig, sia bùithtean-obrach do dh’inbhich is do chloinn, agus dealbh-chluiche stèidhichte air Bliadhna Sgeulachdan na h-Alba a chaidh timcheall nan sgoiltean.

Ghabh còrr is 4,500 neach pàirt ann am Blas 2022 le dìreach beagan nas lugha na 4,000 neach san luchd-èisteachd agus iad a’ toirt seachad luachadh iomlan 93.6% airson riarachas luchd-èisteachd.

Bhon a thòisich Fèis Blas, tha i air cosnadh a thoirt do 4,944 neach-ciùil is seinneadair a’ cluiche aig 1,310 tachartas air feadh na Gàidhealtachd do luchd-èisteachd san robh còrr is 126,000 neach.

Thuirt Cathraiche Comataidh Gàidhlig Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd, an Comhairliche Calum Rothach: “Tha ainm Gàidhlig air Fèis Blas agus chan e a-mhàin blas ach fèist a tha i a’ toirt seachad dhaibhsan aig a bheil ùidh ann an cànan na Gàidhlig.

“Tha a’ Ghàidhlig a’ nochdadh gu làidir ann an litreachadh brosnachail Fèis Blas, anns na tha an fhèis a’ tabhann air-loidhne agus aig a h-uile tachartas Blas.

“Tha i a’ sìor chur ri gealltanasan Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd do chànan na Gàidhlig agus a’ leantainn air adhart mar thachartas cudromach a thaobh a bhith a’ cur air adhart cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig.”

Councillors commend Blas Festival performance

A ‘conservative’ estimate of a £7.6M economic impact of the Blas Festival on the Highland economy over the past 18 years has been welcomed by Members of The Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee.

Councillors were informed in a report on the outcomes of the 2022 Blas Festival which delivered over 40 community events, a schools drama tour and online-events, free workshops, livestreamed concerts, and a Gaelic song session.

In 2022 the Blas Festival ran from 2 – 10 September. The 18 year old festival was initially a partnership between The Highland Council and Fèisean nan Gàidheal (FnaG).

The Council’s support has enabled FnaG to attract funding from Creative Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and in 2022 from Museums and Galleries Scotland.

During the 9 days of Blas, 43 concerts and cèilidhs, a Gaelic song session, 6 online workshops for adults and children, and a play based on Scotland’s Year of Stories toured schools.

Over 4,500 people participated in Blas 2022 with just under 4,000 audience who gave an overall 93.6% rating for audience satisfaction.

Since its inception Blas Festival has employed 4,944 musicians and singers performing at 1,310 events across the Highlands to audiences of more than 126,000 people.

Chair of the Council’s Gaelic Committee Cllr Calum Munro said: “Blas Festival means ‘Taste’ and provides not just a taste but a feast for those interested in Gaelic language.

“Gaelic is featured strongly in all Blas Festival promotional literature, in its online offering and at every Blas event.

“It has continued to support Highland Council’s commitments to the Gaelic Language and continues to be an important event regarding the promotion of Gaelic and its associated Culture.”