ON Burns Night, STV is to mark Scotland's celebration of its national poet by using material from its archives.
Robert Burns: Hidden Treasures, broadcast on 25 January, with a voiceover by Cat Hepburn,will look at Burns Nights past, featuring songs and performances from the past 60 years,
It will feature material from the 1950s, 60s and 1980s.
Stephen O’Donnell, director of programme strategy and marketing at STV, said: "I hope viewers will enjoy this nostalgic and affectionate collection of Burns songs and performances from the past as we unlock the archive to reveal some true gems."
It will include A Guid New Year from 1957, STV’s first ever Hogmanay show, broadcast live from the Tolbooth Steeple at Glasgow Cross and featuring a version of Auld Lang Syne sung by the crowd.
Burns – In Search of the Auld Sangs from 1987 features singer Jean Redpath and award-winning American director and composer John Mauceri while Burns the Jolly Beggar from 1968 features the actor John Cairney, who played Scotland's national bard in this drama.
www.stv.tv
THE art of Kirill Sokolov is to be highlighted in a new exhibition at the Granary Gallery in Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Kirill Sokolov: A Russian Painter in Northumberland at The Granary Gallery on Saturday 2nd February between 4-6pm.
Sokolov was born 27 September 1930 in Moscow. He left Russia in 1974 and settled in Berwick-upon-Tweed, which became his home and inspiration.
The show, A Russian Painter in Northumberland, explores Kirill’s life in Berwick and Northumberland, how his Russian art education influenced the work he produced in the town.
It will run from 2 February to 5 May in the town, which is in Northumberland, two miles south of the Scottish border.
www.berwickvisualarts.co.uk
THE BIG Burns Supper festival, based in Dumfries, is championing LGBTQ artists this year.
The festival runs from 24 January to 3 February, and is now in its 8th year.
Artists performing include Frank Turner, who will be performing a special solo gig with support from protest singer, LGBTQ+ activist, folk singer, socialist and social commentator, Grace Petrie, who is making her Scottish debut.
It will also include Queer Haggis (26 January) a cabaret show.
Also on the programme is The Decriminalisation Monologues, three monologues exploring the recent decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland and Jock Tamson's Bairns, "an immersive theatrical experience exploring themes around growing up gay in Scotland".
Graham Main, executive producer, said: “Burns Night is a perfect opportunity to encourage all members of our community to come together.
"We make a bigger deal about this at Big Burns Supper because we live in a much more rural and isolated part of Scotland, so our open invitation is even more important to encourage those that might not have the same confidence as others in our community to join us.
"Big Burns Supper continues to strive to create a safe and welcoming space for everyone and we as a festival and community are hugely proud of that.”
Ben Macpherson, Minister for Europe, International Development and Europe, said: “Burns Night is one of Scotland’s most well-known and best loved national days, celebrated by millions around the world. This is a chance for us to come together every year, celebrate Burns’ poetry and affirm some of our country’s most important values – fairness, equality and internationalism.
“I am pleased to see the Big Burns Supper festival mark the Bard’s 260th birthday by championing LGBTQ artists and rights.
"This year’s theme focuses not solely on the Bard’s legacy, but also on a collective spirit of inclusion, equality and community, all so important to a modern Burns supper.”
www.bigburnssupper.com
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