Place and Family in Celtic Mythology
Discussed at SFU Lecture Series
By MAURA McCAY
VANCOUVER - Dr. James Acken of the Centre for Scottish Studies at Simon Fraser University presented a lecture on Place and Family in Celtic Mythology at the Harbour Centre campus on October 17.
Dr. Acken teaches courses in literature, history, mythology and religion for the Humanities Department and specializes in the Medieval Gaelic culture of Scotland and Ireland.
There is a waiting list of applications for the classes in Medieval Gaelic Culture at SFU, so the lecture series evolved as an ongoing discussion which is now open to the public at no charge. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in either Scottish Irish mythology to learn more about this fascinating insight into the culture.
At the lecture on Place and Family in Celtic Mythology, Acken spoke about the close historical connections between Scotland and Ireland and how the connection is always mythology and topography.
Up until the Sixteenth Century and the dissolution of the bardic system, there was a common literary culture between the two countries. Bards could easily move between both Ireland and Scotland and the culture was the same.
Acken spoke in depth about the deep attachment of family to place. Questions such as "Who are you related to?" and "Where do you live?" identified you. There was a reverence for the landscape and the presentation covered a broad range of sacred sites in the Celtic world.
The SFU lecture series continues this autumn. There is no admission charge and everyone is welcome but reservations are recommended. For details, contact James Acken at acken@sfu.ca, or Leith Davis at leith@sfu.ca.
"A Rage for Works of Fancy:" Edinburgh in the Age of Scott
This year's St. Andrews and Caledonian Society Lecture. Beginning with the question, What happened to the Scottish Enlightenment? The talk will explore the remarkable flowering of imaginative literature that made Edinburgh a rival to London in the first third of the Nineteenth Century. November 15 at 7 PM at the Fletcher Challenge Theatre, reception to follow.
The Rise and Fall of the Gaelic Empire
A broad look at the shape of Gaelic culture and History during the Middle Ages. Delivered by Dr. James Acken on November 28 at 7 PM at the Fletcher Challenge Theatre.
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