Published: 23 Jun 2017
Schoolchildren from across Glasgow have today (Friday 23 June) joined together for the grand unveiling of the logo for the Royal National Mòd 2019.
Glasgow will host An Comunn Gàidhealach’s Royal National Mòd in 2019 – the first time it has been held in the city for 29 years - and the logo has been developed to show a modern and vibrant face for the week-long festival of Gaelic language, music and culture.
The ambition of the local organising committee of Mòd Ghlaschu 2019, along with the support of Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life, is to help An Comunn Gàidhealach deliver a Mòd that is ambitious and forward-looking whilst respecting the traditions of the Mòd and its cultural roots.
Leading Glasgow-based design agency The Creative Cell (An Còmhlan Cruthachail) has worked closely with the local organising committee to develop a logo that will work in print and across social media and it is hoped the fresh new look will increase awareness amongst both Gaelic and non-Gaelic speakers and generate engagement from participants, volunteers and spectators.
The 2019 festival will continue to offer a range of competitions for both children and adults – in oral, singing and instrumental performance. The Highland Dancing and Piping competitions may also find a new place within the festival to allow for the full breadth of talent to be showcased.
In addition to the competitions, there will be an eclectic Fringe programme that will showcase some of Scotland’s finest musical talents in the run-up to and during the Mòd week, and providing entertainment from some of Gaeldom’s premiere performers.
Donald Iain Brown, chair of Mòd Ghlaschu 2019, said: “When Glasgow won the bid to host the Mòd 2019 we knew then that we had to create a vibrant brand to take the festival forward and to present an inclusive and welcoming message for the people of Glasgow that Gaelic culture is here to be embraced by all, regardless if they speak Gaelic or not.
“Music and song performed in any language is a unifying experience and our intention as an organising committee is to engage as many people as possible and encourage the City of Glasgow to support and enjoy all that their cultural heritage has to offer.”
Councillor David McDonald, deputy leader of Glasgow City Council and board member of Glasgow Life, said: “The city’s relationship with An Comunn Gàidhealach stretches back over 120 years since the Mòd’s inception in 1891. It has been nearly 30 years since the Mòd was last held in Glasgow and today’s logo unveiling is an exciting step towards its welcome return in 2019.
“Glasgow City Council is committed to supporting Gaelic development through its Gaelic Language Plan, which is at the heart of shaping and progressing our activity in education, communities, workplaces, arts, media, heritage and tourism to promote Gaelic and widen its availability. Today, for example, Glasgow is home to the largest number of pupils in Gaelic Medium Education outside the Highlands and Islands.
“Glasgow also has a strong reputation as a world-class host for major events and delivering the Royal National Mòd in two years’ time will further reinforce our events credentials and provide a high-profile platform for the sustainable growth of Gaelic in Glasgow in the years to come.”
John Morrison, Chief Executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach said: “We’re thrilled that The Royal National Mòd will be returning to Glasgow after almost three decades. The city is renowned, world-wide, as an incredible hub of music and arts and we feel this logo represents the vibrancy of the festival, as well as Glasgow. The Mòd is a huge highlight in Scotland’s cultural calendar, attracting Gaels and non-Gaels from across the world to celebrate our diverse range of events and competitions and we look forward to receiving a warm welcome from Glasgow in 2019.”
Gaelic is deeply rooted in the City of Glasgow. Its connection with Gaelic speaking Highlanders dates back to the 15th Century, and today there is a renaissance of Gaelic in the city, with the number of children attending Gaelic Medium Education (GME) rising considerably over the last decade.
By 2019, it is planned that there will be three Gaelic primary schools in Glasgow, a high school and many feeder nurseries, all supported by a well-developed Gaelic arts and engagement strategy.
The Royal National Mòd 2019 competitions will take place in the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow from Friday 11 – Saturday 19 October and will bring thousands of competitors from Scotland and across the world to the city to take part in Highland dancing, sport, literature and drama, as well as Gaelic music and song.
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