Games in Europe?

[sandwerfer]

Hi there,

For a research project we have set up an online questionnaire for people who organise Scottish Highland Games or other festivals on the European continent. We are keen to learn more about your festivals and your relationship to Scotland.

If you have (or used to have) a Scottish festival or public event, please fill out the form here: http://www.springen.org/scots/

Many thanks for your help! David Hesse, The University of Edinburgh

[A Hay]

I have attended many Highland Games in Germany, although I have not organized any. You might have good luck directing your inquiries directly to organizers. Suggest you try this link http://www.bagev.de/ . They have links to many of the games. Sometimes they have pages in English although most of it is in German.

Good luck with your research.

Tom
(A_Hay!)

Hi there,

For a research project we have set up an online questionnaire for people who organise Scottish Highland Games or other festivals on the European continent. We are keen to learn more about your festivals and your relationship to Scotland.

If you have (or used to have) a Scottish festival or public event, please fill out the form here: http://www.springen.org/scots/

Many thanks for your help! David Hesse, The University of Edinburgh

[OC Richard]

Highland Games in Germany! I find that so very interesting.

In Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and parts of the United States there's a large proportion of people of Scottish ancestry, so at Highland Games many of the attendees are from Scotland, though a few generations removed.

At a German Highland Games, what percentage of the attendees do you reckon are of Scottish descent? What percentage are speaking English?

Now here in Southern California, the situation is that this area was never a British colony, was never part of the British Empire. It was first Native Americans, then part of the Kingdom of Spain, then part of Mexico, then (briefly) an independant nation (hence our flag bearing a single star and the words CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC) before being admitted into the United States.

With our background it's not surprising that the percentage of Scots here has always been rather small. However there was a large influx of Scots immediately after both WWI and WWII. Most of our Pipe Bands were founded by Scottish or Canadian immigrants.

At a local Highland Games you'll see people of English, Scots, Irish, German, Swedish, Italian, French, Thai, Mexican, Phillipino, Chinese, Japanese, African, and every other nationality all playing pipes and wearing kilts etc.

The Pipe Major of our Pipe Band was named Nonnemacher. The new PM is named Larsen. And so it goes!

I went to that link...very interesting indeed...

Interesting that's it's called the Bagpipe Association of Germany and not the Deutscher Dudelsackbund or whatever.

[A Hay]

There are enclaves of British and Irish throughout Germany.
I've run into many around Nuremberg, Munich, and where I'm at in Garmisch, south of Munich.

At the games I've attended, some of the organizers, several of the pipe majors, and many of the judges have been Scottish ex-pats, or invited over for the event.

Many of the pipers and drummers are Germans, however.

The events tend to be held on Saturday and Sunday, in public parks or at old manor houses. This brings out many Germans, who like to get out and stroll around on warm summer days.

I try to go to 4 or 5 between May and September. I speak German well enough to get around, and I see some acquaintenances repeatedly at some of the Games.

Main activity is the pipe band and solo competitions (they take it very seriously). They also have the games themselves, with team and solo competitions. And of course, food and drink. Guiness seems to be at them all.

I haven't been to any Games in Scotland, but I've also attended many in the USA. The ones in the US tend to have more venues for fiddle players and small group performers. Over here, there is usually the one big concert on Saturday night but not much singing during the day.

I'm looking forward to the season starting in a few months.

Tom