Portrait of a Nation Finale
Young people from across the Highlands and Islands set off for Liverpool on Sunday (30 November) to take part in a two-day celebration of the UK’s heritage and cultural identity. They will be joining with young people from all over the country to talk about why their home area is special, discuss what their culture and identity means to them and share their hopes for the future.
The Portrait of a Nation finale event will take place at St Georges Hall over 1st-2nd December 2008, as part of the Liverpool, European Capital of Culture celebrations. Young People will be showcasing the creative work that has come out of their exploration of their city or area’s cultural heritage.
They will also take part in a summit debate, where they will have the opportunity to discuss what it means to be a young British person in 2008 and what they want for our country in the future with key decision makers from the worlds of government, media and design.
The two-year long Portrait of a Nation campaign has been headed up by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Liverpool Culture Company. It is the biggest youth project of its kind in the UK, and has involved over 3000 young people in 17 cities from Brighton to Inverness. From local dialects to fashion, the places they like to hang out, the music they listen to, young people’s lives are shaped by the cultures, places and people in their home town as much as what’s going on in the rest of the country.
The Highlands and Islands’ contribution to Portrait of a Nation - Dealbh Dùthcha - is led by Fèisean nan Gàidheal with support from Highland 2007. Focusing on the use of traditional music and the promotion of the Gaelic language and culture, Fèisean encourage young people to explore and appreciate their heritage for their own personal development.
Dealbh Dùthcha was commissioned from renowned Highland composer and artist, Blair Douglas. Some 29 of the very best young musicians, singers and dancers from the Highlands & Islands Fèisean perform the piece. Incorporating several elements of Highland culture - music, Gaelic song, step dance and the landscape - Dealbh Dùthcha gives a real flavour of Highland culture by giving traditional music and Gaelic song a contemporary edge.
Carole Souter, Chief Executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “Through Portrait of a Nation, young people from across the UK have been exploring where they come from, who they are and what they hope for the future. It is so exciting that this two-year conversation is now coming together in a festival of creativity and debate. These two days promise to be an incredible celebration of our nation’s cultural heritage and identity, as seen through the eyes of young people.”
Councillor Sandy Park Chair of Highland 2007, said: “It is very exciting to see this talented group of young people travelling to represent the Highlands and Islands at the Portrait of a Nation Festival, one of the finale events for Liverpool’s year of culture celebrations. The whole project has been an incredible journey for them as they worked with composer Blair Douglas on this performance representing their own heritage and the culture of the area.”
Arthur Cormack, Chief Executive of Fèisean nan Gàidheal, said: “We are delighted that young people from Highland and Island Fèisean are getting a fabulous opportunity to take part in a national project of this nature and scale. Dealbh Dùthcha was created specifically for the Portrait of a Nation event in Liverpool, although it premiered at the end-of-Highland 2007 celebrations. This was entirely appropriate as it is a lasting legacy of that year which encapsulates so much what is unique about Highland culture. The young participants will continue to sing the songs and play the tunes, and remember their participation in this event, for years to come.”