The University of Edinburgh and British Council India celebrated with Burns Night Supper, an evening of friends to commemorate Robert Burns, a Scottish poet and lyricist who played a significant role in Scottish culture. The supper night witnessed Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea, Vice Chancellor & Principal, the University of Edinburgh and Alan Gemmell OBE, Director British Council India welcoming the guests at British Council, New Delhi.
About the Poet- Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Born on January 25, 1759, Robert Burns is the national poet, or bard, of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He is known as one of the best poets who has written in Scots and English, with his writings often being blunt when it came to political or civil commentary.
Burns Night is a celebration of the life and poetry of Robert Burns, as fans all over the world come together around his birthday with bagpipes, poetry readings, singing, and feast on traditional Scottish delicacies mainly the haggis, tatties, and drinking Scotch whisky.
About the Event- Burns Night Supper
Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea
Speaking at the event, Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea, Vice Chancellor & Principal, the University of Edinburgh said, “Burns Night is one of the biggest celebrations in Scottish culture, and this year, we are tremendously pleased to be here in India to celebrate it with our Indian friends and colleagues. The University of Edinburgh’s connections with India stretch back over many centuries and today we are working in partnership across India to address a wide range of challenges. From solar power and water purification technology, to cutting-edge stem cell research, the protection of wildlife, and the improvement of livestock husbandry, our collaborations with institutions across India are a vital part of the University’s global ambitions.”
Burns Night with a twist
Vegetarian Haggis
This year, as an extension of the Indo-UK relations, Burns Night Supper was organised for the first time. The traditional meat haggis was served along with an interesting vegetarian version. A great ceremony was made of carrying the haggis out of the kitchen, accompanied by a bagpiper and then was set down at the table. The reader addressed the haggis, reading the poem “Address to a Haggis” by Burns, as the guests greeted with enthusiastic applause and toasted the haggis with whisky.
Traditionally made from sheep offal and spices; the vegetarian haggis has a delectable set of ingredients such as carrot, swede, leek, celery, oatmeal, barley, lentils, onion, mushroom, kidney beans, chick peas, and spices, packed into a vegetarian (non-edible) plastic casing and boiled.
The haggis was accompanied by Cock-a-Leekie soup, and Scottish classic dessert Cranachan, along with a variety of delicious Indian dishes.
About the Night
Me at the event
The evening then saw the humorous highlight of Burns’ works that was designed to praise the role of women in today’s world. Always delivered with grace, charm and wit, this savaging of the lads’ crude dispositions and social inferiority is always accepted with good humor by the men present.
Overall loved my evening! Looking forward to the next set of events.
