Burns Night

Burns Night Quick Facts - GB

ℹ HashtagsCompiled on05:59	#BurnsNight, #BurnsNight2024
Related Hashtags	#RobertBurns
2024 Date	25 January 2024
2025 Date	25 January 2025

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Robert Burns Night in 2024

Thursday, 25 Jan

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Burns Night History

Burns Night honours one of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, who is widely regarded as one of the most important literary figures in the country's history. The event, observed in Scotland, Northern Ireland and other parts of the United Kingdom, centres around a traditional meal known as the 'Burns Supper,' which typically features a haggis dish as well as other Scottish culinary delights. Additionally, the evening sees a series of speeches and toasts, along with recitations of Burns' most beloved works, making the observance a heartfelt tribute to the esteemed poet.

The origins of Burns Night date back to the late 18th century, following the death of Robert Burns in 1796. Initially, a small group of his friends gathered to commemorate his life and works, and this event was then repeated on an annual basis. The practice eventually gained widespread popularity and has evolved into a significant occasion celebrated by Scottish communities across the United Kingdom. Burns Night is extolled for its capacity to foster a deep sense of pride in Scottish cultural heritage, making it a particularly poignant event for the country's people.

In the United Kingdom, Burns Night is observed in various ways, from informal gatherings among friends and family, to larger-scale dinners hosted by organisations and societies. The crux of the celebration remains the Burns Supper, often accompanied by performances of traditional Scottish music, dances, and poetry readings. In addition, a toast is proposed to the 'Immortal Memory' of Robert Burns, paying homage to his enduring legacy as a revered poet. The observance of Burns Night typically occurs on the 25th of January, which marks the birthday of the renowned poet.

Top Tweets for Burns Night -

Updated 04:57

It’s the anniversary of Robert Burns’ (1759-96) birth, and I’m taking a break from prepping this evening’s ‘Address to a Haggis’ (1786) - a small gathering in London - to wish my fellow Scots, wherever you are around the globe, a very happy Burns’ Night! Slàinte mhath! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 https://t.co/XiGiczNff2
— John J Johnston (@JohnJJohnston) January 25, 2023

#OTD Born 1759 Robert Burns (Burns night) 1874 W Somerset Maugham 1882 Virginia Woolf 1901 Mildred Dunnock 1929 Elizabeth Allen 1931 Stig Anderson 1931 Dean Jones 1936 Diana Hyland 1938 Etta James 1939 Angela Thorne 1942 Eusebio 1943 Tobe Hooper 1945 Leigh Taylor-Young https://t.co/0aJHFWNJAb
— CLASSIC MOVIES DAILY (@Bltmovies) January 25, 2023

Last night, I hosted a wonderful #BurnsNight supper, celebrating Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet, and showcasing the very best of Scottish food and drink. An evening rich in music and poetry - and yes, even a little bawdy in the best Burns tradition! Slàinte Mhath! 🥃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 https://t.co/IMBXnLO4gT
— Peter Abbott OBE (@FCDOPeterAbbott) January 20, 2023

Burns Night Facts

While the first celebration of Burns Night Occurred in July 1801, it is estimated that today more than 9.5 million people around the world celebrate Buns Supper each year.
The largest collection of Robert Burn’s work is said to be in Glasgow’s Mitchell Library. His work there has been translated into almost 30 different languages.
According to Scotland.org, with the exception of Queen Victoria and Christopher Columbus, there are more statues dedicated to Robert Burns than any other non-religious figure.
Robert Burns became the first person to appear on a commemorative bottle of Coca Cola. His likeness was debuted in 2009.
Due to his family's financial struggles, Burns had limited formal education. However, he was a voracious reader and taught himself many subjects, including literature, politics, and philosophy.

In the News and Trending in the UK for Burns Night

Updated 04:57 PICTURES: Keith and District Young Farmers Club celebrated Robert Burns night with a busy Burns supper

northern-scot.co.uk

Nicholson's Robert Burns Night Marks 25th Anniversary

fox19.com

Scotland's Robert Burns Night: James Cosmo Reads 'To a Mouse'

publishingperspectives.com

2023 Robert Burns Night — The New Mexico Scottish Rite

nmscottishrite.org

Burns Night Top Things to Do

Explore an interactive map of events near you.
Read The Burns Encyclopedia/cite> by Maurice Lindsay.
Read some of Robert Burn's poetry.
Watch the 2021 Burns Night celebration if you missed it.
Learn some traditional Scottish dances and enjoy a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) at home. Dance routines like the Scottish reel or the Highland fling can be learned through online tutorials or dance videos.