Men are being urged to take inspiration from Scotland’s national poet this Valentine’s Day. With romance high on the agenda, most men might be considering some grand gesture like a bunch of carnations to declare their undying love. But, Scotland’s panel of experts on all things Burns-related suggest that taking a leaf out of the Bard’s book this Homecoming year might just be the key to helping the romantically-challenged to win over the fairer sex.
As part of Homecoming’s Valentine’s Day celebrations, Zig Zag: The Path’s of Robert Burns exhibition opens in Aberdeen on 14th February 2009. The exhibition features the manuscript of Burns most iconic love poem, Ae Fond Kiss, the wedding ring of Jean Armour and various love letters from Burns himself.
Nat Edwards, of the National Burns Collection believes it shows a softer side to the bard. “As far as romance goes, Burns was highly accomplished. His love poetry is recited the world over while his letters, some of which form part of the exhibition, show a more personal side of his romantic life and a confident character who knew that the best way to win a woman’s heart was to wear his own on his sleeve.”
Valentine’s Day will also see the opening of Creative Burns at the Dick Institute, Kilmarnock which explores the importance of Burns as a creative producer and his influence as an inspiration for artists and writers working today. Creative Burns features new commissioned work by Timorous Beasties, Adam Proctor and Michael Visocchi, poet Rab Wilson and the composer Gavin Reid.
