A GAELIC version of this news release follows the English version below. Also, a photograph is available to download free to accompany this story at www.scottishviewpoint.info/Feisean
The economic impact of the fèis movement is £2m annually, according to a report for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
The summary findings of the ‘Economic and Social Impacts of the Fèisean’ will be announced at Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s annual general meeting in Ullapool today (Friday September 24).
The summary findings of the ‘Economic and Social Impacts of the Fèisean’ show that 49 posts were sustained in the Highlands and Islands alone through the movement which is responsible for organising traditional music, dance festivals and events.
The study also suggests a significant impact in the region’s ‘fragile areas’, contributing earnings of over a quarter of a million pounds within them.
HIE announced three-year funding of £540,000 to Fèisean nan Gàidheal in September 2009 to allow the agency, along with other sources, to support the development of the popular traditional arts movement across the Highlands and Islands and further afield.
The report estimates that since the very first Fèis Bharraigh in Barra in 1981, the number of fèisean in Scotland has grown to 42 in 2008, of which 35 were held in the Highlands and Islands. The continuity and growth has led to many former fèis students becoming tutors and providing the next generation in turn with future job opportunities.
Around 13,000 young people participate in activities supported by Fèisean nan Gàidheal across Scotland. Social, artistic and linguistic benefits are the prime motivations of those who organise fèisean in local communities.
The report highlights that a range of local people who having been regular fèis participants have progressed into training and careers, including Catriona Watt, who won the BBC Young Traditional Music award in 2007 and the acclaimed Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis.
Head of Community Growth at HIE, Neil Ross, said: “The report highlights the range of social impacts the 42 Fèisean which took place across Scotland in 2008-9 had on its communities, over and above the economic impact.
“The evidence from contacts with local groups confirms that fèisean are important in encouraging the use of the Gaelic language and generally strengthening Gaelic culture across the Highlands and Islands. It delivered a whole range of workshops and classes including Cèilidh Trail events, cultural trips abroad and concerts.”
The fèisean provides a feedstock of talented performers for the creative industries which is one of Scotland’s key sectors supporting the tourism economy and work opportunities in fragile and remote areas. The Blas Festival which is organised by Fèisean nan Gàidheal saw a 27 per cent increase in people attending last year compared to 2008 with an audience of 12,000. This year’s Blas festival took place from 3-12 September across the Highlands.
Chief executive of Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Arthur Cormack, said: “There has never been a time when more young people have been skilled in playing musical instruments and singing songs. This report highlights that the fèis movement has been a major success story bringing hard economic benefits to the Highlands and Islands as well as other areas across Scotland, which is important in tough economic conditions.
“However, the social and linguistic benefits are also extremely important and I believe that interest and ability in traditional Gaelic music in Scotland has grown exponentially over the past 30 years.
“I am certain the success of so many fèisean throughout the land has been the main driver behind this growth and has helped enormously in raising awareness of traditional music and the Gaelic language.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
The report can be viewed at www.hie.co.uk/support-for-communities/arts-culture-heritage/gaelic-projects.html
Fèis Rois was established in 1986 in Wester Ross. Fèisean followed in Skye, Sutherland, Tiree, Ardnamurchan, Speyside, Lewis, Harris, South Uist and Inverness. There are now 35 fèisean within the Highlands and Islands.
In Tiree the Fèis recorded 67 local participants – but the actual number of people involved swelled to 850 through associated activities including a township walk, children’s dance and a cèilidh.
In Stornoway, the Fèis attracted 18 families who came to stay on Lewis specifically to take part in the fèis workshops. Comann nam Pàrant organised ULPAN Gaelic classes while the weekly group sessions during term time led to six-eight youngsters playing at cèilidhs who have now formed their own band.
From the Farr fèis, Heather Forbes has gone on to be a whistle tutor and is studying Gaelic and traditional music at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.
Fèis na h-Òige has run a week long main Fèis in Inverness High School since 2000. There are also workshops, weekly classes, group work and teenage Gaelic drama classes. Several fèis participants have gone to working Gaelic arts, broadcasting, drama and tutoring.
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Buaidh Làidir aig na Fèisean air Feadh na h-Alba
Tha buaidh eaconamach nam fèisean a’ cur còrr is £2m gach bliadhna, a rèir aithisg a chaidh iarraidh le Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan (HIE).
Thèid an aithisg air bhog aig coinneamh Bhliadhnail Fèisean nan Gàidheal an diugh (Dihaoine Sultain 24) ann an Ulapul.
Tha geàrr-chunntas san aithisg ùir ‘Buaidh Eaconamach is Sòisealta nam Fèisean’ ag innse gu bheil 49 cosnaidhean làn-thìde air a’ Ghàidhealtachd agus anns na h-Eileanan tro iomairt nam fèisean a tha an urra ri cur an dòigh ceòl traidiseanta, fèisean agus tachartasan. Tha an sgrùdadh cuideachd a’ dearbhadh buaidh chudromach anns na ‘sgìrean cugallach’ far a bheil na fèisean a’ cur còrr air cairteal a’ mhillean nota do thuarastail annta.
Chuir HIE an cèill maoineachadh £540,000 a dh’ionnsaigh Fèisean nan Gàidheal san t-Sultain ann an 2009. Tha HIE agus buidhnean eile a’ cur airgead-tasgaidh a-steach a leasachadh nam Fèisean tron bhuidheann a chumas taic ri lìonra nam fèisean diofar iomairtean ùra a chuir an gnìomh air feadh na sgìre.
Thòisich a’ chiad fhèis ann am Barraigh tràth sna 1980an agus bha 42 fèisean ann an Alba an uiridh – 35 anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan. Tha an fhàs seo air cruthachadh iomadh cothroman cosnaidh, agus tha grunn oileanaich a ghabh pàirt sna fèisean a-nise ag obair mar luchd-teagaisg iad fhèin.
Tha mu 13,000 duine òga a’ gabhail pàirt gach bliadhna ann an tachartasan le taic bho Fèisean nan Gàidheal air feadh na h-Alba. Tha na coimhearsnachdan a bhios a’ cur air dòigh fèisean air an gluasad a chionn ’s gu bheil buannachdan sòisealta, ealanta agus cànanach ann dhaibh.
Tha an aithisg a’ cur cudrom air grunn dhaoine ionadail a chleachd a bhith a’ gabhail pàirt anns na fèisean tric agus a tha a nise a’ trèanadh no ag obair ann an obair co-cheangailte, mar Catriona Watt, a bhuannaich an fharpais ‘Neach Ciùil Òg Tradiseanta 2007’ agus an seinneadair ainmeil Julie Fowlis.
Thuirt Niall Rois, Ceann Roinn Fàs Choimhearsnachdan: “Tha an aithisg a’ cur cudrom air na buaidhean sòisealta air na coimhearsnachdan, a th’aig na 42 fèisean a ghabh àite air feadh na h-Alba ann an 2008-09, a bharrachd air na buaidhean eaconamach. Tha fèisean cudromach ann a bhith brosnachadh agus a’ neartachadh cultar na Gàidhlig air feadh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean, a-rèir fianais bho dhaoine ann am buidhnean ionadail. Thachair grunn bhùthan-obrach agus clasaichean, a’ gabhail a-steach tachartasan Cèilidhean air Chuairt, cuairtean thall thairis agus cuirmean-ciùil.”
Tha na fèisean a’ tabhainn luchd-cluiche tàlantach airson na gnìomhachasan cruthachail – aon dhen phrìomh roinnean ann an Alba a tha a’ cumail taic ri eaconamaidh turasachd agus cothroman obrach ann an sgìrean dùbhlanach. Tha Fèisean nan Gàidheal a’ cur air dòigh Fèis Bhlas agus chaidh an àireamh de luchd-amhairc a bha a’ frithealadh na fèise seo suas 27% an-uiridh. Bha fèis na bliadhna sa air a cumail eadar 3 agus 12 Sultain.
Thuirt Ceannard Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Art MacCarmaig: “Cha robh a-riamh àm ann nuair a bha barrachd dhaoine òga a’ cluich ionnsramaidean ciùil agus a’ seinn òrain. Tha an aithisg seo a’ cur cudrom air cho soirbheachail sa tha na fèisean ann a bhith a’ toirt buannachdan eaconamach don Ghàidhealtachd is do na h-Eileanan agus àitean eile air feadh Alba, agus a tha sin gu math cudromach ri linn staid na h-eaconamaidh. Tha na buannachdan sòisealta agus cànanach cuideachd uabhasach cudromach agus tha mi dhen bheachd gu bheil ùidh agus comas ann an ceòl traidiseanta ann an Alba, air fàs gu mòr thar na 30 bliadhnaichean a chaidh seachad. Tha mi cinnteach gur e cho soirbheachail sa tha na fèisean a’ phrìomh adhbhar airson an fhàs seo tha a’ cuideachadh gu mòr ann a bhith a’ togail aire dhaoine ri cèol traidiseanta agus a’ daingneachadh inbhe na Gàidhlig.”
Crìoch.
Notes to editors
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) delivers the Scottish Government’s economic strategy by supporting the sustainable growth of ambitious businesses and communities across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. You can visit our website at http://www.hie.co.uk and follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/highlandsandislandsenterprise
HIE’s activities contribute to a comprehensive range of measures introduced across the public sector as part of the Scottish Government’s Economic Recovery Plan. For more information visit: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy/economic-situation
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