An international flavour to virtual National Mòd 2020
The Royal National Mòd 2020 online has been in full swing this week with viewers and contributors taking part from across the globe.
Entries from several states in America, Canada, Netherlands, Buenos Aries, Wales and England, among many others, were sent in earlier this year along with those from Scottish competitors.
James Graham, chief executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: ‘We’re delighted with the international interest in this year’s event and the number of people from around the world who have made the effort to take part in this year’s online Mòd.
‘The online aspect has made it more accessible for people from around the world to take part, people who might ordinarily not have made it to Scotland for the Mòd due to logistical challenges with travel, distance and cost.
‘This has certainly been one of the positives to have come out of the challenge of holding our event online.’
The Virtual Royal National Mòd 2020 kicked off last Friday evening with a fantastic concert, presented by Kirsteen Macdonald, featuring music and song from Mary Ann Kennedy and Finlay Wells, Alasdair Whyte and Graham MacLennan and Keith Morrison.
Among the many overseas performers this year are Argentinian Gaelic choir Ceòlraidh - El Coro.
Started in August 2002, the non-profit, self-sustaining group has the main purpose of promoting the Scottish
Gaelic language and culture in Argentina.
The choir has taken part in many events locally, in Celtic festivals, choral gatherings, events and celebrations of the Scottish community, such as Tartan Day, and many others, with the mission and work of Ceòlraidh receiving an
Award of Recognition by the Legislative Authority of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires in 2015. The number of singers in the choir has fluctuated over the years, from a maximum of 23 to the present eight, the group having suffered through difficult times.
Nevertheless, members have never stopped taking part in events as well as maintaining weekly practices throughout the year.
Directed by Claudia Cano, the group travelled to Scotland in 2018 to be present at the Royal National Mòd in Dunoon and were invited to sing at the opening night at the Fiddlers’ Rally.
Coro Ceòlraidh spokesperson Roberto Domínguez told the Argyllshire Advertiser: ‘While we could not compete because our group was under the minimum 12 members required for any category in the choir competition, we could sing at different venues and enjoyed the experience tremendously. Coming to
Scotland to participate in the Mòd was something we have longed for since the beginning of Ceòlraidh. Distance, travelling costs, work and personal obligations had to be managed to make this possible.
‘During our stay in Dunoon, we had a unique opportunity to learn, share and enjoy music and to make new friends.
‘In the future we expect to attract other people to take part in this wonderful art of Gaelic language, culture and music and hopefully to attend another Mòd to compete.’
Speaking about this year’s online event, Roberto added: ‘We are very grateful An
Comunn Gàidhealach has invited us to participate in the Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail Air Loidhne 2020.
‘We hope our recording will reflect and convey the passion and enthusiasm we put into our presentations and that it will be according to the expectations and quality standards for this event for the enjoyment of the audience.
‘It is great the Mòd is up and running despite Covid-19.’ Results
The results so far are: Saturday results: www. ancomunn.co.uk/news/ acgdetail/instrumental-results Monday results: www.ancomunn.co.uk/news/acgdetail/ monday-results
All events from this year’s virtual event are being shown on Facebook www.facebook.com/RoyalNationalMod and on the Royal National Mòd YouTube channel www. youtube.com/channel/ UCs4-a-mCvJTll8LO8ErbB4A.
Mòd memories to look back on are also being shown throughout the week on Facebook and Instagram www.instagram.com/ royalnationalmod and also www.obantimes.co.uk/mod and www.instagram.com/obantimes
To find out more information on The Royal National Mòd Online 2020 event visit www. ancomunn.co.uk