- Local poet Stuart Paterson leads a virtual workshop with Dumfries Academy pupils to support the next generation of bards
This Christmas, Lidl is championing Scots poetry by supporting the next generation of bards with a virtual workshop for Dumfries Academy pupils.
Hosted in partnership with award-winning local poet, Stuart Paterson, the workshop explored the history of the ‘daft days’ and taught pupils how to pen their own ode to the festive season.
The term ‘daft days’ was made famous by 18th century Scots poet, Robert Fergusson. The phrase described the fun, frivolity and merriment of the twelve days that run between Christmas and the 5th January.
Lidl recently commissioned local poet Stuart Paterson to pen his own homage to the ‘daft days’ using the Southern Scots dialect. Stuart is now encouraging pupils at Dumfries Academy and across the region to embrace Scots poetry this festive season.
Poet Stuart Paterson said: “Hosting this virtual workshop and seeing again the passion local school pupils have for their own language and for poetry was fantastic. Poetry is a great way to explore the Scots language, to celebrate our cultural heritage and our culture’s place in the modern world.
“The phrase ‘daft days’ is so unique to Scotland, and this initiative has allowed us to champion the impact which Scots poetry has had on the festive season as it exists today all over the world.”
Ross Millar, Lidl’s Regional Director for Scotland, said: “It’s been great to work with Stuart Paterson to champion the ‘daft days’ and Scots poetry.
“At Lidl we love to celebrate everything that is unique to Scotland, from food to culture, and this project has allowed us to take that even further by championing the next generation of talent.”
Dumfries & Galloway shoppers are being encouraged to pick up a Lidl Book of Big Adventures, in partnership with the National Trust for Scotland, includes a fun activity for kids to try their hand at writing a Scots poem at home.
