First meeting for Celtic Media Festival’s 40th in Aviemore - Ciad choinneamh airson 40mh Fèis nam Meadhanan Ceilteach san Aghaidh Mhòir

Photo courtesy of Celtic Media Festival, Left to right in Aviemore: John Greirson- Aviemore Community Council; Liz Cowie, Ward Manager; Iseabail MacTaggart – MG ALBA, David Harron – BBC Scotland, Catriona Logan - Celtic Media Festival Director, Cllr Alister Mackinnon, Jenny Sime - Cairngorms Business Partnership, Morag Anna MacLeod Gaelic Development Officer, Cllr Bill Lobban, Colin Simpson HC Principal Tourisn & Film Manager

The first meeting of the Local Organising Committee of the international Celtic Media Festival recently took place in Aviemore (on Friday 18th January).

The Celtic Media Festival is a prestigious annual three day event that promotes the languages and cultures of Celtic Nations and Regions in media, and in 2019 celebrates its 40th anniversary. The Festival takes place between the 4th and 6th June (inclusive). http://www.celticmediafestival.co.uk;

Highland Councillors and staff met with the Celtic Media Festival Board Members and officials, BBC Scotland, MG Alba, the Chairperson of the Community Council, and the Cairngorm Business Partnership to discuss the Festival Programme and community engagement required to ensure that local businesses and the wider community benefit from the festival coming to the Badenoch area for the first time.

Highland Council Convenor Cllr Bill Lobban who is also a local Ward Member said, “We had an excellent meeting and I look forward to the Festival coming to the area especially as it celebrates its 40th year. We discussed a great deal of opportunities and I look forward to seeing the proposals come to fruition.”

Celtic Media Festival Director, Catriona Logan said: “We are delighted that the Festival is taking place in this part of the Highlands, the area has a huge amount to offer especially in relation the environment, the businesses and visitor attractions, the rich cultural activities, the creative industries, and quality food and drink.”

She added: “The area also has good transport and connectivity links, this forms the basis for an excellent 40th Celtic Media Festival.”

Chumadh a’ chiad choinneamh de Chomataidh Eagrachaidh Ionadail Fèis nam Meadhanan Ceilteach san Aghaidh Mhòir bho chionn ghoirid (Dihaoine 18mh Faoilleach).

’S e tachartas cliùiteach trì latha a th’ ann am Fèis nam Meadhanan Ceilteach agus i a’ brosnachadh chànanan is chultaran nan Dùthchannan is nan Roinnean Ceilteach sna meadhanan. Ann an 2019, tha i a’ comharrachadh a 40mh ceann-bliadhna. Tha an Fhèis a’ gabhail àite eadar an 4 agus an 6 Ògmhios (ion-ghabhalach). http://www.celticmediafestival.co.uk;

Choinnich Buill Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd le Buill agus oifigearan Bòrd Fèis nam Meadhanan Ceilteach, BBC Alba, MG Alba, Cathraiche na Comhairle Coimhearsnachd, agus Com-pàirteachas Gnothachais a’ Mhonaidh Ruaidh gus bruidhinn mu Phrògram na Fèise agus com-pàirteachas coimhearsnachd gus dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil gnothachasan ionadail agus a’ choimhearsnachd san fharsaingeachd a’ faighinn buannachd bhon fhèis a bhith a’ tighinn a Bhàideanach airson a’ chiad uair.

Thuirt Neach-gairm Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd, an Comhairliche Bill Lobban, a tha cuideachd na Bhall Uàird ionadail, “Bha coinneamh air leth againn agus tha mi a’ dèanamh fiughair ris an Fhèis a bhith a’ tighinn dhan sgìre, gu h-àraid seach gu bheil i a’ comharrachadh a 40mh ceann-bliadhna. Bha còmhraidhean againn mu na sàr chothroman a th’ ann dhuinn agus tha mi a’ coimhead air adhart ri toradh nam molaidhean fhaicinn a’ tighinn gu buil.”

Thuirt Stiùiriche Fèis nam Meadhanan Ceilteach, Catriona Logan, “Tha sinn fìor thoilichte gu bheil an Fhèis a’ gabhail àite sa cheàrn seo dhen Ghàidhealtachd. Tha mòran aig an sgìre ri thabhann, gu h-àraid a thaobh na h-àrainneachd, gnothachasan, nithean a tha tarraingeach do luchd-tadhail, tachartasan cultarail beairteach, na gnìomhachasan cruthachail, agus biadh is deoch air leth.”

Lean i air adhart, “Tha an sgìre math cuideachd a thaobh còmhdhail is ceangalan agus tha seo uile na dheagh bhun-stèidh airson fìor dheagh 40mh Fèis nam Meadhanan Ceilteach.”