Burns Dinner

Commonly referred to as Scotland’s National Bard, Robert Burns , is the reason people of all nationalities have enjoyed Burns’ Dinners for well over two hundred years. We here in Salem have celebrated the event with small gatherings , but took the plunge several years ago in organizing and holding a formal Burns Dinner. This is no small task as the traditional dinner is a event with a specific format. Specific readings from Robert Burns works, naturally the Address to the Haggis, as well as many others. There are also a verity of toasts that need to be performed. For those of you that have not attended a traditional Burns Dinner there are many features that you will find entertaining. But I think the one that strikes most people is the entrance of the Haggis. At the start of the evening everyone is asked to take their places and stand as from the back of the room you hear the bagpipes. A small group emerges to deliver the Haggis presented on a platter or tray being led by the piper playing as the procession heads to the podium. The Haggis is displayed in up front for all to see. A gentleman proceeds to read or recite the Address to the Haggis written by Robert Burns. At one point during the reading the speaker draws a sgian dubh ( Gaelic for black knife) or dirk and cuts the haggis open with a bit of flourish. This all makes for some great theatre and if you find the right person to do this. The selection of food can vary from event to event, there is a traditional menu and at many events is mixed with some more American style foods. As one of my friends once said ” it seems as if most Scottish food was based on a dare” . And really you can’t argue with that. Many events include performers other than the bagpipes , but the format of the dinner , the speakers, the toasts, and the presentation of the haggis is actually the traditional entertainment. I personally find any more entertainers than that way too much. I also like to have a large bit of the evening to socialize. You will find at least one Burns Dinner in every major city in the world. Since the Scots visited many countries, as uninvited guests for some. And there are Scots that have immigrated to all parts of the world. Put a Burns Dinner on your list of things to do.