Fèisean nan Gàidheal is hanging up the bunting once more for Hùb Hàb: Latha Mòr nan Geamaichean Gàidhealach (Hùb Hàb at the Highland Games) as the early years’ drama project heads off on tour once more through schools in Glenurquhart, Skye, Uist and Barra.
For two weeks from 19th May, more than 400 early years pupils will get a taste of an event which takes place in their local area each years the Highland Games and the various events which take place within them.
Young Gaelic speakers will get the opportunity to learn about Highland dancing, the broad jump, tossing the caber and the tug-o-war throughout this interactive performance.
At the heart of the tour is beloved character Hùb Hàb, created by Fèisean nan Gàidheal, who has been the centre of several much-loved performances over the years focusing on topics such as gardening, baking, the weather and, last year, the circus!
Mirren Ward is this year’s Hùb Hàb, bringing her enthusiasm and knowledge of Highland and Irish dancing, gymnastics and sports in general to the table.
However, another character played by Hùb Hàb is set to make an appearance the clan chief himself is set to sing a song which welcomes all the young people to the big day!
The song was written by Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Drama Officer Angus MacLeod to the tune of ‘Scotland the Brave’.
This catchy number, as well as Tha mise falbh air chuairt an-diugh (I’m going on a trip today) which featured last year, will help children to latch on to new vocabulary as they utilise these new words throughout the performance.
As well as appealing songs, resources connected with the subject will be available on Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s website to give the early years further opportunities to reinforce the new vocabulary learned.
With one or two shows now under her belt, performer Mirren Ward said:
“I am loving being out on tour – the engagement from the children and their teachers has been fantastic.
“What fun we have had so far!”
Fèisgoil Manager, Eilidh Mackenzie said:
“It is so important for young children to hear Gaelic in an active learning environment and with our Hùb Hàb performances, we ensure there is plenty repetition and interactive movement paired with specific phrases so understanding is enhanced.
“Mirren plays an excellent Hùb Hàb and brings a real sense of joyful energy to the role that is sure to appeal to our young learners.
“These cultural experiences are vitally important in embedding language for young children and, as always, we are hugely grateful to all our funders, among them Creative Scotland and Bòrd na Gàidhlig”.
As the chief says in his song: bithibh ann no bithibh fann aig Geamaichean nan Gàidheal – be there or be square at the Highland Games!
‘Bithibh ann no bithibh fann’ aig Hùb Hàb: Latha Mòr nan Geamaichean Gàidhealach
Tha Fèisean nan Gàidheal a’ cur fàilte air turas eile le Hùb Hàb ‘s i a’ dèanamh air na Geamaichean Gàidhealach le cuairt tro sgoiltean ann an Gleann Urchadain, san Eilean Sgitheanach agus ann an Uibhist is Barraigh. Fad chola-deug bho Dhiluain 19 An Cèitean, gheibh còrr is 400 sgoilear anns na tràth-bhliadhnaichean blasad de latha mòr a bhios a’ tachairt gach samhradh sna sgìrean aca fhèin – na Geamaichean Gàidhealach – is na diofar thachartasan a thèid air adhart tron latha. Gheibh sgoilearan cothrom eòlas a chur air dannsa Gàidhealach, leum leathann, tilgeil a’ chabair agus drolabha tron taisbeanadh eadar-ghnìomhach seo.
Aig cridhe an turais tha Hùb Hàb, caractar spòrsail a chruthaich Fèisean nan Gàidheal a tha air aire nan sgoilearan a tharraing thairis air na bliadhnaichean le dealbhan-cluiche a leithid Hùb Hàb anns a’ Ghàrradh, Ri Fuine ‘s Fealla-dhà, Cuairt Bheag, Seirm na Sìde agus, an-uiridh, Hùb Hàb aig an t-Siorcas! Am-bliadhna ‘s i Mirren Nic a’ Bhàird a bhios a’ stiùireadh nan sgoilearan tro gach gnìomh leis an eòlas agus dealas a th’ aice a thaobh dannsa Gàidhealach agus Èireannach, lùth-chleasachd agus spòrs san fharsaingeachd.
Bidh caractar eile a’ nochdadh air an latha air a chluich le Hùb Hàb – an ceann-cinnidh fhèin is òran aige gus fàilte is furan a chur air an òigridh don latha mhòr! Chaidh an t-òran a sgrìobhadh le Oifigear Dràma Fhèisean nan Gàidheal, Aonghas MacLeòid, air fonn ‘Scotland the Brave’. Bheir an t-òran seo, cuide ris an òran Tha mise falbh air chuairt an-diugh, taic don òigridh ann a bhith a’ togail briathrachas ùr agus gheibh iad cothrom na faclan ùra seo a chleachdadh agus a chumail air cuimhne tro na gnìomhan a bhios an cois a’ bhùth-obrach. Cuide ri òrain tharraingeach, tha goireas de chur-seachadan ri fhaotainn air làrach-lìn Fèisean nan Gàidheal co-cheangailte ris a’ chuspair gus tuilleadh chothroman a thoirt dhon chloinn am briathrachas a dhaingneachadh.
Le taisbeanadh no dhà seachad mu thràth, thuirt cleasaiche Mirren Nic a’ Bhàird “Tha e còrdadh rium gu mòr a bhith air an turas – tha na sgoilearan agus tidsearan cho èasgaidh pàirt a ghabhail san dealbh-chluich. Abair spòrs a th’air a bhith againn gu ruige seo”.
Thuirt Manaidsear Fèisgoil, Eilidh NicCoinnich, “Tha e cho cudromach do chloinn òga a’ Ghàidhlig a chluinntinn ann an suidheachadh ionnsachaidh ghnìomhach agus leis na taisbeanaidhean Hùb Hàb againn, bidh sinn a’ dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil ath-aithris agus gluasad eadar-ghnìomhach ann gus am bi tuigse air a neartachadh. Bidh Mirren a’ toirt spionnadh dhan character Hùb Hàb am bliadhna agus tha sinn cinnteach gum bi seo tarraingeach do ar luchd-ionnsachaidh òga. Tha cothroman cultarail leithid seo air leth cudromach a thaobh an dòigh sa tha iad a’ neartachadh cànan do chloinn òga agus, mar as àbhaist, tha sinn air leth taingeil do ar luchd-maoineachaidh, nam measg Alba Chruthachail agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig”.
Mar a chanas an ceann-cinnidh fhèin na òran – bithibh ann no bithibh fann aig Geamaichean nan Gàidheal!
