 In
1992, McLaughlin College decided to hold a Burns Night on the
Scottish poet's birthday, January 25. At the same time, we wanted to stimulate the writing
of poetry in the York community, so we instituted the McLaughlin
Poetry Contest, open to all members of York except faculty. Poems
could be in either of Canada's two official languages.
These two events were, of course, made for each other; and the
shade of Burns inspired us to invite all participating poets to
come and read some of their work on the night itself, to give the
audience an idea of their quality and the pleasure of seeing the
poets in the flesh. After the reading, we presented the prizes,
with the poets concerned reading (in some cases, again) their
prize-winning poems. Following the prize-giving we turned to Burns
himself and to the traditional celebration: a piper piped in the
haggis, which was then addressed with Burns's poem in praise of that delicious winter
dish; it was cut open and distributed, after which there was
Scottish music and a good time was had by all.
This event was so
successful (the Senior Common Room was happily crammed), and the
poems so good, that we decided to repeat the experiment. And so it
has gone: we have become addicted. The Poetry Contest has gone on
and on, and here we have just, to our pleased surprise, celebrated
its nineteenth anniversary.
One word about the
prizes. The McLaughlin Poetry Contest is to our knowledge the only
place at York where you can win actual money ($$$) with poetry.
Not much, obviously; but every little helps. The First Prize is
$100; the Second Prize, $75; the Third Prize, $50. Moreover, since
McLaughlin was once designated the Public Policy college, for the
first ten years we have given out a Public Poetry prize, for the
best poem on a subject of public interest.
Report on Robbie
Burns Night - January 25, 2008
 The
16th Annual McLaughlin College Robbie Burns Night, held on the
occasion of the famous Scottish poet's birthday, Friday, January
25, was another roaring success, attended by 70 hardy students,
fellows and guests who defied the cold. Piper Ian Greene, the
College Master, piped in the haggis, and introduced Highland
Dancers Marissa McLelland and Janice Conrick. Twenty or so budding
poets read their poems, introduced by MCs Bob Drummond, Dean of
Arts, and Ian Greene. The first-prize winner was Sarah Wert for
her poem, "Purgatory". Second was Nisa Lawson, and third was Amber
Bond. Ray Gobin won in the Public Policy category, and Margaret
Campbell's "Birthday Greetings Rabbie" was the poem most true to
the spirit of Robbie Burns. Tony Crawford, College Fellow and
stalwart of the Instructional Technology Centre, recited Burns'
Address to the Haggis, while Master Ian Greene expertly carved the
haggis, blades a-flailing. Several Fellows sported their kilts,
including Dean Drummond, Master Greene, Tony Crawford, and
McLaughlin Student Council speaker George Blake. Two haggises were
consumed in their entirety, along with neeps, tatties, and the
occasional scotch. A highlight of the evening was Dean Bob
Drummond's poem poking fun at the year in Canadian and
international politics. The first McLaughlin Burns Night was a result of a
conversation between McLaughlin Fellow Roger Kuin, and the late
Ben Wicks, cartoonist, author, and literacy advocate. Roger has
organized the poetry contest each year, and continues to do so
electronically from his permanent home in France. Now that Roger
is fully retired, he was not physically present for Burns Night
for the first time, but he was definitely there in spirit, having
judged the poems submitted with the help of Professor Emeritus
Maurice Elliot and McLaughlin Fellow Derek Cohen. |
