CELTIC Connections paid tribute to the late greats Nelson Mandela and Seamus Heaney at the International Burns Night on Saturday.
With 2014 headlined as the year that Scotland welcomes the world, Celtic Connections celebrated its coming of age on Robert Burns’ birthday at Glasgow’s landmark new national arena, the SSE Hydro, thanks to support from Homecoming Scotland 2014.
Cork musician and singer/songwriter John Spillane paid tribute to Irish bard Seamus Heaney.
Renowned as one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, Heaney wrote over 20 volumes of poetry and won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1995.
Nelson Mandela had a very special relationship with the city of Glasgow.
He made clear how special it was to be a guest of the city when he visited in 1993, maintaining it would always hold a distinguished place in the records of the international campaign against apartheid.
Tribute was paid to Seamus Heaney at the eventOne of Africa’s leading artists Bongani Tembe, who sang at Mandela’s funeral as the military officers accompanied the casket of the former South African President, paid tribute to Mandela during the concert.
The Mahotella Queens from South Africa also performed.
Donald Shaw, Artistic Director of Celtic Connections, said prior to the show: “Mandela and Heaney were both remarkable men who have made significant footprints on the life we all know. I am delighted that the amazing Bongani Tembe and John Spillane have agreed to come along and help Celtic Connections commemorate the life of Nelson Mandela and Seamus Heaney as part of the festival’s International Burns Night.”
Brian Filling, author of The Glasgow Mandela Story and honorary consul for South Africa in Scotland, said: “I’m delighted that we are remembering Nelson Mandela as part of the Celtic Connections International Burns Night.
"This is just the beginning though, there will be a number of events in Glasgow and Scotland that will celebrate Madiba’s life in the run up to Mandela Day on July 18.”
