Burns’ night is a commemoration held on 25 January to celebrate the life and work of Scottish poet Robert Burns.
Who was Robert Burns?
Born in Alloway on 25 January 1759, Robert Burns was the eldest son of a tenant farmer who, while following his father’s career, managed to devote himself to writing. In fact, he wrote over 700 between poems, lyrics and other texts.
Having led a life full of debts and worries, Burns often wrote about the economic gap between the rich and the poor and empathized with the populace on subjects such as injustice, love, religion and alcohol.
He died in 1796, aged 37, of endocarditis and, tragically, his funeral coincided with the birth of his last child.
His best work is considered to be “Auld Lang Syne” which is sung during the Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year.
| Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne? For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. We twa hae run about the braes, and pou’d the gowans fine; But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit, sin’ auld lang syne. We twa hae paidl’d in the burn, frae morning sun till dine; But seas between us braid hae roar’d sin’ auld lang syne. For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. And surely ye’ll be your pint-stoup! and surely I’ll be mine! And we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere! and gie’s a hand o’ thine! And we’ll tak’ a right gude-willie waught, for auld lang syne. For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. |
How is Burns’ night celebrated?
The first dinner in honour of Scottish poet Robert Burns was hosted by nine of his closest friends on the fifth anniversary of his death. Since then, it has become an annual celebration that is considered by the Scottish Parliament a key event for the cultural heritage of the nation, since the bard had used the Scottish language to write his works. It is also hoped that this will push more and more authors to use the Scots in their works, thus ensuring its continuation.
A typical Burns’ night dinner includes all typical Scottish dishes often featured in the poet’s works. In particular, haggis with a side of mashed potatoes and whiskey sauce and the scotch broth cannot be missing.
During the dinner, the author’s poems are recited, there are dances and Scottish bagpipes to be listened to.
The Robert Burns statue in Leith
Erected by the Leith Burns Club of Edinburgh in 1898, the one on the corner of Constitution Street is a bronze statue representing Robert Burns which rests on a sandstone pedestal decorated with four bronze plaques representing some verses of the poet.
 | The priest-like father reads the sacred page, How Abram was the friend of God on high; Or, Moses bade eternal warfare wage With Amalek’s ungracious progeny; Or, how the royal Bard did groaning lie Beneath the stroke of Heaven’s avenging ire; Or Job’s pathetic plaint, and wailing cry; Or rapt Isaiah’s wild, seraphic fire; Or other holy Seers that tune the sacred lyre. |
| In order, on the clean hearth-stone, The porrigers three are ranged, And every time great care is taken, To see them duly changed: Old Uncle John, wanted wedlock joys Since Mar’s year did desire, Because he got the empty dish three times, He heaved them on the fire In anger that night. |  |
 | I there wi’ Something did forgather, That pat me in an eerie swither; An’ awfu’ scythe, out-owre ae shouther, Clear-dangling, hang; A three-tae’d leister on the ither Lay, large an’ lang. |
| When Vulcan gies his bellows breath, And ploughmen gather wi’ their graith, O rare ! to see thee fizz and freath I’ th’ lugget caup ! Then Burnewin comes on like death At ev’ry chaup. |  |
In 2019 the statue was removed to allow an easier construction of the tram line. On this occasion, the presence of a time capsule at its base was discovered.
The contents of the bottle included intact items such as Scotsman newspapers, coins, police crime reports and letters on the creation of the club dating back to 1898. Items dating back to 1961 were also found, suggesting an early move of the statue, including newspapers and letters.
In December 2021, poems and stories written by Victoria Primary School students, coins, face masks and other small artefacts were added to the capsule.
