THE LIFE of Scotland's most famous poet laureate will be celebrated on Saturday night at the Liguanea Club, New Kingston. Robert Burns, known most popularly among non-Scots for penning Auld Lang Syne, is recognised annually at Burns Suppers.
Scots worldwide will have their 'Suppers' and toast the life of Burns, who wrote well over 600 poems and songs in his short lifetime. Burns was merely 37 when he died (1759-1796) and the Suppers are held on, or near to his birthdate of January 25. Manager of the Liguanea Club Ian Murphy, himself a Scotsman, estimates that there will be over a thousand Suppers across the world.
He is expecting approximately 200 guests on Saturday night. The gathering will be made up of ex-patriots, special guests and Jamaicans of Scottish descent. A Burns Supper typically involves the drinking of Scottish whiskey, singing of traditional songs and readings of the artiste's work; all interspersed with dining on the national dish, haggis.
Haggis is made of seasoned mince offal and oatmeal, wrapped in the lining of a sheep's stomach and boiled. It is said that haggis is very nutritional. Although it contains the same amount of protein as red meat, it has only one fifth of the fat. Haggis is traditionally served with 'neeps and tatties', Scottish terms for potatoes and turnips.
The event, for the unaccustomed, may seem strictly high profile. However, some Burns Suppers have been known to be rowdy drink-ups in bars, especially in Burns' native Scotland. There are also traditional toasts to the lassies (ladies) and even an address to the haggis before it is consumed.
Mr. Murphy says this year's Supper will have demonstrations of Scottish traditional songs, dance and of course, a continuous supply of haggis. Music from the current genres will also be provided. The function begins at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and the Supper commences at 7:15.
