Brian Ó hEadhra, an Inverness-based musician and cultural development worker, has been appointed as Artistic Co-ordinator of Blas, the initiative to establish a Highland Celtic Communities Music Festival.  Brian is a graduate of Irish Folklore & English Literature from University College of Dublin and has, since coming to Scotland, become a stalwart of the Gaelic and Celtic music scene.  After studying at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye, Brian worked as director of various music and cultural festivals such as Ceòl Nis & Fèis nan Òran and also as Entertainment Manager of MacNab's, the Celtic music venue in Inverness.

As Artistic Coordinator, Brian will work with the Blas Action Group which was established to shape, plan and deliver the festival.  He will be responsible for ensuring the Festival’s artistic integrity and input and will liaise with community groups such as the Fèisean, PAN and others who wish to be involved in the initiative.

The aim of Blas is to create a festival that celebrates traditional music in the Highlands and promotes interest in and the use of Gaelic.  This initiative is particularly apposite at this time given that 2007 is to be the Scottish Year of Highland Culture, and it is expected that the festival will be one of the centrepieces of the 2007 events.  Blas will be both innovative and exciting and will have a strong youth focus and Gaelic language dimension.  While aiming to achieve the vibrancy of Nova Scotia’s Celtic Colours Festival, Blas will develop it own special character reflecting the cultural background of the Highlands.

According to Brian, his work with Blas will be challenging but he relishes the prospect of working to realise the project’s considerable potential.

“I am looking forward to being involved in this new festival, and having the opportunity to create a new, innovative and unique festival for the Highlands.  With a very well organised network of PAN promoters and local Fèisean throughout the Highlands, we have a good starting point, but we would be particularly happy to hear from anyone not part of those two organisations, who may like to have an involvement with Blas”, says Brian.

Brian can be contacted on 07717 224360, or by e-mail on arts@blas-festival.com.

Brath-Naidheachd Co-òrdanaiche ealain air fhasdadh

Chaidh Brian Ó hEadhra fhasdadh mar Cho-òrdanaiche ealain airson Blas, an iomairt a tha air ùr stèidheachadh gus fèis ciùil Cheilteach a chur air bhonn air a’ Ghaidhealtachd.
Tha Brian na fhear-ciùil a tha air cliù a chosnadh dha fhèin bhon a thàinig e a dh’fhuireach san dùthaich seo agus tha e cuideachd air a bhith an sàs ann an diofar iomairtean ealain air a’ Ghaidhealtachd, a leithid Ceòl Nis agus Fèis nan Oran. ‘S ann a Baile Àtha Cliath a tha Brian agus thug e a-mach ceum ann am beul-aithris Eireannach agus Litreachas na Beurla aig oilthigh sa bhaile sin. Bha Brian cuideachd na oileanach aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.

Anns an dreuchd ùr seo bi Brian ag obair cuide ri Buidheann Stiùiridh Bhlas gus dreach a chuir air an fhèis, gnothaichean a chuir an òrdugh airson na fèise, agus an fhèis fhèin a ruith. An cois nan gnìomhan seo bi Brian a còmhradh ri buidhnean ealain anns a’ choimhearsnachd gus beachdan agus comhairle mu’n chùis fhaighinn bhuapa.

Se rùn Blas fèis mhòr a chur air bhonn a tha stèidhichte air ceòl dùthchasach na Gaidhealtachd agus ùidh anns a’ Ghàidhlig agus dualchas nan Gàidheal a bhrosnachadh.  Tha an t-oidhirp gu math iomchaidh aig an àm seo o chionn ‘s gu bheil 2007 air a comharrachadh mar bhliadhna shònraichte airson dualchas na Gàidhlig agus nan Gàidheal.  ‘Se amas Blas a bhith cho beòthail agus tarraingeach ris an fhèis ainmeil Celtic Colours ann an Alba Nuadh.

A-rèir Brian tha obair mhòr roimhe mar Cho-òrdanaiche Ealain Bhlas ach tha e làn dhùil gum bi an obair inntinneach agus, gur e toradh na h-obrach a bhios ri dhèanamh, fèis tlachdmhor, chudthromach a bheir toileachas do mhòran ‘sa sgìre agus do dhiofar cheàrnaidhean dhen dùthaich.

“Tha mi air leth toilichte an obair seo fhaighinn”, thuirt e. Saoilidh mi gu bheil e uamhachas cudtromach do bheatha na Gàidhlig agus dualchas nan Gàidheal gu bheil cothrom ann fèisean ùra dhen t-seòrsa seo a chuir air bhonn. Se toiseach tòiseachaidh math a th’ann gu bheil buidhnean mar na fèisean ionadal agus PAN ann mar thrath gus cuideachadh leis an Fhèis ach bu mhath leinn cuideachd beachdan agus comhairle fhaighinn bho dhaoine eile sa choimhearsnachd aig a bheil ùidh ann an ceòl agus dualchas na Gaidhealtachd.”