U of G Scottish Colloquium Celebrates 40th Anniversary
September 19, 2008 - News Release
The University of Guelph is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Scottish Studies Colloquium Sept. 27 in Rozanski Hall.
This year's colloquium will feature a talk by Scotland's registrar general and an exhibit by leading Scottish contemporary artist Calum Colvin.
Since launching the colloquium 40 years ago, U of G has continued to be a leader in Scottish studies and has the largest Scottish studies collection in the world outside of the United Kingdom.
"It's exciting to be celebrating 40 years of the Scottish Studies Colloquium at the University," said Prof. Graeme Morton, Guelph's Scottish Studies Foundation chair.
"Our teaching, research and outreach are enhanced through our wonderful archival collection on Scottish history and literature. It's great that we continue to receive donations to help build up this resource, and the annual fall colloquium is our thank you to the Scottish-Canadian community for its support."
As part of the full day of lectures, Duncan Macniven, Scotland's registrar general, will speak on "Scottish Genealogy, the Census, Scotland's People."
The second annual Jill McKenzie Memorial Lecture will be given by renowned literary historian Cairns Craig of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. He will discuss "Philosophy, Physics and Fantasy in Late 19th-Century Scotland."
Other speakers include Tom Normand of the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, who will present "'Vigorous Imagination': An Exhibition at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in 1987," and Kim Sullivan of the University of Otago in New Zealand, who will offer "A Tale of Two Scotlands: The Endurance of the 'Highland Line' in Early Australia and New Zealand."
This year's colloquium also features the art exhibit "Ossian – Fragments of Ancient Poetry" by Colvin, which will be on display in the McLaughlin Library Sept. 29 to Oct. 24. The free public exhibit explores Scotland's relationship with its cultural heritage.
Colvin, a fine art professor at Dundee University in Scotland, will give a talk at the colloquium.
The day will also feature book sales, piping, a raffle, an awards ceremony and a birthday cake celebration.
"With a special lineup of speakers joining us from Scotland, and the opening of this superb exhibition, there is no sign of a mid-life crisis in the Centre for Scottish Studies," said Morton. "We are delighted to partner with the Government of Scotland to host this exhibition and to house it in the McLaughlin Library for the whole community to see."
For more information on the colloquium, visit the website. To register, call 519-824-4120, Ext. 53209, or send e-mail to scottish@uoguelph.ca.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338/l.hunt@exec.uoguelph.ca, or Deirdre Healey, Ext. 56982/d.healey@exec.uoguelph.ca.
