A new book from Fèisean nan Gaidheal, which celebrates 25 years since the first fèis was held on the Isle of Barra in 1981, will be launched at the Traditional Music Awards in Fort William on Saturday 2nd of December 2006. The publication ‘Fèis: the first 25 years of the fèis movement’ tells the story of the people who have been involved in the fèisean, alongside views and opinions from those who have an interest in the movement.

Since the first fèis was held 25 years ago, there are now over 40 individual fèisean throughout Scotland. These developments are followed throughout the book, visiting each fèis through the decades focusing on how they were established, their current situation and the positive effects their fèis has had on the surrounding community.

The book also concentrates on both community and national fèis-connected developments, with contributions from Peter Peacock, MSP and former Scottish Minister for Education, Young People and Gaelic, Calum MacDonald from the well-known band Runrig and Father Colin MacInnes, who was instrumental in establishing the very first fèis on the Isle of Barra.

This full-colour publication is also packed with great photographs taken at fèisean events over the years, with contributions from professional photographers including Cailean Maclean, Sam Maynard and Anthony MacMillan. There is also a fine selection of photographs from those who were attending a fèis at the time.

The entire project took three years to complete, during which time the team travelled the length and breadth of Scotland interviewing the different individuals who have been involved in the fèisean over the years, such as committee members, tutors or former and current fèis participants.

Kate Martin, lecturer in Community Education at the University of Dundee, was the editor of the publication. She had previously been involved in establishing a number of fèisean in the Highlands during the mid-eighties and nineties.

Arthur Cormack, Director of Fèisean nan Gàidheal said “The number of fèisean has dramatically increased from Fèis Bharraigh in 1981 to 43 individual fèisean this year. This book celebrates the hard work of everyone who has been involved in the success of the movement over the past 25 years”.

The publication received financial assistance from the Scottish Arts Council, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Seirbhis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig, The Highland Council, Pròiseact nan Ealan and Comunn na Gàidhlig.

Fèis: A’ Comharrachadh a’ chiad 25 bliadhna de na fèisean

Leabhar Ùr bho Fhèisean nan Gàidheal

Thèid leabhar ùr fhoillseachadh le Fèisean nan Gàidheal aig na Duaisean Ciùil Traidiseanta sa Ghearasdan air Disathairne 2 Dùbhlachd. Bidh an leabhar a' comharrachadh còig bliadhna thar fhichead bho chaidh a' chiad fhèis a chumail ann an Eilean Bharraigh ann an 1981. Tha an leabhar ag innse sgeulachdan dhaoine a th’ air a bhith an sàs anns na fèisean, cuide ri beachdan bho dhaoine aig a bheil ùidh anns an iomairt.

Bho chaidh a' chiad fhèis a chumail bho chionn 25 bliadhna air ais, tha a nise còrr is 40 fèis ionadail air feadh Alba. Tha na leasachaidhean seo air an leantainn tron leabhar, a' tadhal air gach fèis tro na bliadhnaichean agus a' toirt sùil air mar a chaidh an stèidheachadh, an suidheachadh anns a bheil iad an-dràsta agus a' sealltainn buaidh a th’ aig nam fèisean air na coimhearsnachdan mun cuairt orra.

Tha an leabhar cuideachd a' sgrùdadh nan leasachaidhean coimhearsnachd agus nàiseanta a tha ceangailte ris na fèisean, le aithrisean bho Pheadar Peacock, a bha na Mhinistear Albannach airson Foghlam, Òigridh agus Gàidhlig, Calum Dòmhnallach bhon a' chòmhlan ainmeil Runrig, agus Mgr Cailean MacAonghais, a chuir a' chiad Fhèis air bhonn an Eilean Bharraigh.

Tha an leabhar ùr làn dealbhan sònraichte a chaidh a thogail aig na diofar fhèisean thairis air na bliadhnaichean, bho dhealbhadairean proifeiseanta leithid Cailean MacIlleathain, Sam Maynard agus Anthony MacMhaolain, a bharrachd air measgachadh mòr de dhealbhan a chaidh a thogail leis na daoine a bha an sàs aig an àm.

Mhair am pròiseact trì bliadhna agus, le taic bho Fhèisean nan Gàidheal, chaidh sgioba an leabhair air feadh Alba a bhruidhinn ri tòrr dhaoine a bha an sàs anns na fèisean; comataidhean, luchd-teagaisg agus com-pàirtaichean a' frithealadh nam fèisean.

'S i Kate Martin, Òraidiche ann an Oilthigh Dhùn Dè, a bha os cionn a' phròiseict seo, as dèidh dhi a bhith ag obair airson Fòghlam sa Choimhearsnachd aig Comhairle Roinn na Gaidhealtachd. Mar phàirt den dreuchd seo, bha i an sàs ann a bhith a' stèidheachadh fèisean air feadh na Gaidhealtachd anns na h-ochdadan is na naochadan.

Thuirt Art MacCarmaig, Stiùiriche Fhèisean nan Gàidheal: “Tha àireamh nam fèisean air sìor fhàs bho Fhèis Bharraigh ann an 1981 gu 43 am bliadhna. Tha an leabhar seo a’ comharrachadh na h-obrach chruaidh a rinn a h-uile duine a th’ air a bhith an sàs anns na fèisean thairis nam bliadhnaichean”.

Fhuair an leabhar taic-airgid bho Chomhairle Ealan na h-Alba, Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Seirbhis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig, Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, Pròiseact nan Ealan agus Comunn na Gàidhlig.