The 100th Anniversary of the Gaelic Society of Vancouver
By JOHN MacLEOD
VANCOUVER - Scottish Gaels in the Vancouver area will mark an important milestone on May 3 at the Scottish Cultural Centre to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Gaelic Society of Vancouver.
The Gaelic Society was formed in 1908 by a group of dedicated Gaelic enthusiasts who wanted to establish a society where they could meet and enjoy each other's company and fellowship.
The first meeting of the Society was held on February 8,1908, at the Sullivan Hall on Cordova Street in Vancouver. The aim of the Society established at that time was to promote the Gaelic language and to preserve all matters of interest to the Celtic race.
In the early days society meetings were held bi-monthly, and they were of great value in providing a community, where people of a common heritage could meet and find solace in the sharing of joys and sorrows. The Society also helped the sick and disabled, and gave financial aid to the indigent.
In the 1920s, the Society began to participate in Mbds, or Gaelic musical festivals in Vancouver, modelled after the Royal National Mbds held annually in Scotland since 1891.
This led to the formation of Mbd Vancouver many years later, and that organization has continued the tradition by holding Mbds in Vancouver every two years, the last one being held in May 2007. Over the years, these festivals have attracted many participants from Scotland, the United States, and from all across Canada.
In 1953, the Gaelic Society was very active in the acquisition of the Scottish Auditorium at Twelfth and Fir Street in Vancouver which provided a venue for all Scottish societies and organizations to meet and hold functions.
The money to purchase the Auditorium was bequeathed in the Will of Mrs. Robert Fiddes, who was Chief of the Gaelic Society from 1926 to1928. The Society Chief at that time, the late Norman Finlayson, was active in initiating the purchase of the old Athlone School on the site, which was transformed into the Scottish Auditorium.
Again in 1983, several members of the Gaelic Society, including past chiefs Murdo and Mary MacIver, Duncan MacKenzie, and Dr. John Angus Smith, together with Duncan Fraser of the B.C. Pipers Association, were very active participants in the acquisition of the land, and organizing the building of the current Scottish Cultural Centre on Hudson Street, in Vancouver.
Throughout the years, the Gaelic Society has held ceilidhs at the Cultural Centre, where Gaelic songs and a variety of other entertainment could be heard and enjoyed by all. The Society has also offered Gaelic language lessons at beginner and intermediate levels for many years under the guidance of Maureen Lyon and Sharron Gunn.
It is encouraging to see that, at present, 100 years after the formation of the Society, these Gaelic language lessons are still well attended by enthusiastic learners, keen to further their knowledge of the language and the culture.
The motto of the Gaelic Society is "Lean gu dljth ri clij do shinnsir," which means "Follow closely the traditions of your ancestors." The Society has always done its utmost to support and encourage the rich heritage and wonderful culture of the Gael.
The Society will be celebrating its 100th anniversary at a gala evening on May 3 at the Scottish Cultural Centre. The evening will include a Scottish banquet and a concert featuring Royal National Mbd medallist and renowned singer Paul McCallum, accordionist and entertainer John Carmichael, and the Vancouver Gaelic Choir.
Tickets for this centennial event are $50 and $25 for students and youth, and are available from Murdo and Linda MacIver at (604) 929- 4781. Everyone is invited to join with the Society members in celebrating 100 years of Gaelic culture in Vancouver.
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