WWI commemorations on the Western Isles
17 Apr 2014 04:00 PM
The First World War
commemorations on the Western Isles, led by the Gaelic Arts Agency will be
given a funding boost of £10,000 First Minister Alex Salmond announced
today.
The Gaelic Arts Agency will mark
the significant contribution the people of the Western Isles made to the First
World War through a series of five multi-media exhibitions and a series of
community productions based on writings, songs and experiences of those that
lived and died in the Great War.
The First Minister made the
announcement while on Lewis as part of a series of cabinet meetings across
Scotland and he paid tribute to those who perished on HMY Iolaire off the coast
of the Isle of Lewis on January 1, 1919 when returning home from
war.
Visiting the HMY Iolaire
memorial Mr Salmond said:
“In 1919, off the coast of
the Isle of Lewis, more than 200 service personnel returning from war
tragically lost their lives when the HMY Iolaire sank so close to Stornoway
Harbour. It remains one of the largest domestic losses of life in the maritime
history of the British Isles.
“This year, when we mark
the centenary of the start of the Great War, we reflect on the sacrifices made
by generations of service men and women, including those currently
serving.
“The centenary programme
will see commemorations of major battles and the observance of significant
domestic events, such as the loss of HMY Iolaire.”
Chief Executive of the Gaelic
Arts Agency, Erica Morrison, said:
‘This welcome funding
coupled with other sources of financial support will enable Pròiseact na
Ealan to create a series of high quality, multi-media Gaelic exhibitions
capturing community perspectives, illuminating social impacts, legacies and
lessons for the rising generation based on the significant contribution made by
those from the Western Isles to the Great War.’
Notes To Editors
For more information on the WWI
commemorative programme of events visit:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2013/05/ww1-commemorations-in-sc
otland23052013
For more information on the Scottish Commemorations Panel visit:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2013/03/World-War-One11032013