A Burns Dinner is a celebration of the life and work of the poet Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796), author of many Scottish poems, including "Auld Lang Syne".
The dinners are normally held on or near the poet's birthday, January 25, known as Burns Night (Scots: Burns Nicht; Scottish Gaelic: Oidhche na Taigeise; also called Robert Burns Day or Rabbie Burns Day).
The first dinner was held in memoriam at Burns Cottage in Ayrshire by friends of Burns, on 21 July 1801, the fifth anniversary of his death.
Burns Night is considered a key cultural heritage event each year by the Scottish Parliament.
Burns dinners can be formal or informal. Both typically include haggis (a traditional Scottish dish celebrated by Burns in Address to a Haggis), Scotch whiskey, and a recitation of Burns' poetry. Formal dinners are hosted by organizations such as universities, sports clubs, Burns Clubs, Freemasons, or St. Andrew's Societies; occasionally they end with a dance or cèilidh.
Burns' Dinner must follow a traditional order:
1. Arrival of the guests
2. Host's welcoming speech
3. Selkirk Grace.
4. Piping in the haggis and Address To a Haggis
5. Main course: Obviously haggis with tatis and neeps
6. Loyal toast / Highland toast
7. Immortal memory: a speech remembering some aspect of Burns's life or poetry.
8. Address to the Lassies
9. Reply to the Laddies
10. Works by Burns
11. Scottish country dancing: Occasionally the dinner may conclude with traditional Scottish dancing, venue permitting.
We invite you to listen to the Burns Supper 2023 Official Playlist on Spotify.
You can find the complete Burns Night program in the following QR.
Thank you very much to all who attended this event and to those who did not, we hope to see you next year as well. Slainte!
Yours aye,
The Saint Andrew's Society of Mexico committee