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Great Book of Gaelic
17/10/2003
Leabhar Mor - the Great Book of Gaelic - links the
cultural heritage shared by Scotland and Ireland, Culture
Minister Frank McAveety said today.
Opening the Edinburgh exhibition of the Great Book of
Gaelic, Mr McAveety praised the strength and vitality of
the Gaelic contribution to Scotland's cultural life.
The exhibition is at the City Arts Centre, Market
Street, Edinburgh for the next three months.
Mr McAveety said:
"Gaelic makes us more aware of our cultural diversity in
Scotland and enables Scotland to develop international
links with other minority language communities.
"The scale of this project is remarkable and whichever
way we look at this project, it is impressive. It took more
than three years, involved over 200 poets, artists and
calligraphers and uses material from the 6th century to the
21st century.
"Like many examples of great art, the Great Book of
Gaelic has both local and global appeal. Its themes are
universal and we hope they will be recognised by other
peoples throughout the world."
The project is co-ordinated by the Gaelic Arts Agency
and was first opened in Glasgow in November 2002. Since
then it has been taken the US and it is planned to tour
several US and Canadian venues in 2005-6.