Statue unveiled amid Burns tributes

Jan 25 2012

A variety of traditional and unique events have taken place across the country to celebrate the birthday of the Bard.

Burns Suppers, poetry recitals and performances have marked 253 years since the birth of Robert Burns.

A new £25,000 statue was unveiled at his birthplace museum in Alloway, Ayrshire, commissioned by STV after Burns was voted The Greatest Scot in a television poll.

Inspired by Burns' work A Fragment, Glasgow artist Kenny Hunter created the sculpture named Liberty Regain'd. The design depicts a fox, a chain and a tree stump as described in the poem, and represents a central theme in Burns' work.

Mr Hunter said: "Liberty, it could be argued, is a central theme for Burns and he often made poems out of its various aspects: personal, economic, social, ecclesiastical, political and international.

"But he always saw freedom concretely, in relation to Scotland's problems and to the paradoxical psychology of her people."

Ahead of the publication of the Scottish Government's consultation on an independence referendum, First Minister Alex Salmond took time out to watch a performance of Tam O'Shanter by schoolchildren at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh.

Visitors to the Palace of Holyroodhouse were also treated to a rendition of Tam O'Shanter - recently voted Scotland's favourite Burns work - to commemorate the poet's birthday.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "Robert Burns is Scotland's greatest cultural icon, recognised and celebrated all around the world. He remains the people's poet and his legacy is of immense value to Scotland and the country's image abroad.

"Scotland's friends the world over will also be joining in the fun, with Burns Night celebrations from Cardiff to Canada and Melbourne to Mexico City, there really will be something for everyone to enjoy."