I knew that haggis was special...

[auld argonian]

...but I never knew that it had its own special feast day.

I was reading some of the posts about St. Andrew's Day and I thought that I'd relate this little conversation that I had with a fella a couple of weeks ago.

I went downtown on a Friday night to meet up with a few folks that I have the occasional cocktail with and I decided that it was definitely a night to wear the kilt and the Argyle Jacket. So the first stop on this pub crawl is The Italian Village and after I'm seated, one of the regulars says, "So...you must be celebrating The Feast Of The Haggis." And I say, "Well, I'm certainly no authority but I don't think that I've ever heard of The Feast Of The Haggis...do you mean St. Andrew's Day? That's coming up in a couple of weeks."

"No," quoth he, "I mean The Feast Of The Haggis."

"Perhaps you're thinking of Robert Burns Day...that's in January."

At this point the guy is starting to become a little exasperated.

"NO...I mean The Feast Of The Haggis...my wife is Scottish and we go to it every year."

Now I know that this fella must have it wrong and his missus is dragging him to a St. Andrew's Night or a Burns Supper but he really doesn't know or care what it is...I start looking around expecting to see Rod Serling introducing this increasingly weird encounter as my entre into the Twilight Zone.

But I can't resist a little fun...

"So do you wear your kilt when you attend this Feast Of The Haggis?"

"Oh, hell no...I'd never wear one of those things...I haven't got the legs for it."

"You should join in the spirit of the thing...I bet that your wife would really be proud of you if you went out and rented a formal kilt ensemble for the evening."

Turns out that the only thing about this event that this guy is on board for is the whisky and no amount of cajoling is going to convince him that he should be a sport and get kilted even though I'm sure that it would enhance his enjoyment of the whisky 100%.

So, to all of you in this, the beginning of what I hope will be a very warm and joyous Holiday Season, you have my wishes for, among other things, a very merry joyous and blessed FEAST OF THE HAGGIS (?)...and if there's a guy there who isn't wearing a kilt, you'll know it's that guy from the Italian Village in Chicago so you have my permission to give him the business.

Best

AA

[beloitpiper]

Don't fret--I've never heard of it either!

[HeathBar]

Google is your friend:

Scottish celebration “Feast of the Haggis” isn’t just about Bagpipes, Brigadoon and Braveheart: Chicago Scots celebrate contemporary Scottish identity and US-Scottish friendship


Hotel InterContinental, Friday November 20th 2009, 6.00pm – midnight



The 164th annual “Feast of the Haggis” may be Chicago’s longest running black tie benefit dinner and at first glance the kilts, haggis and bagpipes may indicate an overwhelming sentimentality for the traditions of yesterday - Chicago’s Scottish Society, the Illinois Saint Andrew Society is, after all, the oldest 501(c)3 charity in Illinois – but this year, the Chicago Scots are focused on the future.



“The focus of this year’s event is to reach out to and enhance the Society’s relevance and connection to a new generation of Chicago Scots,” said Gus Noble, President of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society. “We have formed a committee of young Scots and challenged them to redesign the Feast, to make it the kind of event that they will want to attend with their friends. The best way of involving people is to put them in charge.”



The young Scots have indeed taken charge. With great respect for tradition, they have ensured that the “Feast of the Haggis” will retain its Scottish character – the tartan, highland dance and pipe-bands will remain – but they will be given a contemporary Scottish presentation.



The event will feature Skerryvore, one of Scotland’s best up and coming Celtic Rock bands, who are known for their blazing bagpipes, fearsome fiddle and aggressive accordion.



Each year at the Feast, the Society recognizes the achievements of a Chicago Scot by presenting him or her with the “Distinguished Citizen” award. Former recipients include Governor James R. Thompson, Chief Judge William Campbell, Arthur MacDougall Wood, Dawn Clark Netsch, Judge William J. Bauer and Johnny “Red” Kerr. Last year Arne Duncan accepted the award just days before being confirmed as President Barack Obama’s Secretary for Education.



This year, the Chicago Scots, with their focus on celebrating contemporary Scotland, will honor Glasgow born Azeem Ibrahim, who at the age of just 33, has been described by his peers as a brilliant young scholar, financial wizard and gifted entrepreneur. A self-made multi-millionaire, Mr Ibrahim obtained an MBA and an M.Sc.(Econ) in Strategic Studies, then read for a PhD at the University of Cambridge on Geopolitical Strategy. Mr Ibrahim also served as a Research Scholar on the International Security Program at the JFK School of Government at Harvard University. Azeem’s professional experience cuts across the fields of finance, academia, diplomacy, the military, and philanthropy. In 2004, he founded the European Commerce and Mercantile Bank, a private bank specializing in commercial accounts for clients involved in global commodity trading. He subsequently founded ECM Investment Management Fund, a regulated private equity hedge fund, and the Ibrahim Foundation, a private grant giving foundation for community projects. An officer cadet in the British Army’s elite airborne infantry reserve, Ibrahim is also an active member of several leading think tank and advocacy groups, including the Aspen Cultural Diplomacy Group, the UK National Defence Association, the International Institute of Strategic Studies, Chatham House, and the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies. In 2009 Mr Ibrahim was named as one of Yale University’s 15 World Fellows. A citizen of both the US and the UK, Azeem now lives in Chicago with his wife and children.



“Azeem is an inspirational representation of what is to be Scottish in the 21st Century – an interesting mix of humanitarianism, capitalism, humility and grit,” said Gus Noble, “The mission of our Illinois Saint Andrew Society is to nourish Scottish identity –. I cannot think of anyone who embodies contemporary Scottish identity better than Azeem.”



Since it was established in 1845, when Chicago’s population was less than 12,000, the Illinois Saint Andrew Society has hosted the “Feast of the Haggis” to celebrate Scottish accomplishments in and contributions to North America - never missing a single year despite the Great Fire, Depression and World Wars. It would seem that just as the Illinois Saint Andrew Society was born at the “Feast of the Haggis” on December 1st 1845, the Chicago Scots will be reborn on November 20th 2009.



Ends


The “Feast of the Haggis” benefits the philanthropic work of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society and its’ Scottish Home for the elderly. As well as offering support for Scottish arts, scholarships and hosting events to promote Scottish culture, the Society offers a wide range of outstanding services from assisted living to nursing care.



The Illinois Saint Andrew Society nourishes Scottish identity through service, fellowship and celebration of Scottish culture. The Society welcomes everyone who is Scottish by birth, by heritage or simply by inclination.



The Feast of the Haggis. Friday November 20th 2009, 6.00pm – midnight

Hotel InterContinental, 505 N Michigan Ave, Chicago IL 60611







Tickets and more information: www.chicagoscots.org or call (708) 447-5092.

[auld argonian]

Well I'll be jiggered.

But considering the timing I wonder if it isn't essentially just another way of having a St. Andrew's Night only making it a bit more non-sectarian?

Anyway, I stand corrected...and amazed that anything that anybody ever told me while sitting at a bar turned out to be true!

Best

AA

[Bigkahuna]

Any one know if The Chicago Highland Rifles will be there??

[macwilkin]

Any one know if The Chicago Highland Rifles will be there??

Their web site has been down for quite some time now...are they still even around?

T.

[beloitpiper]

Their web site has been down for quite some time now...are they still even around?

T.

They show up at the Chicago Highland Games every year.

[McFarkus]

Yeah, I got an invitation to it, but I'm not one for formal events. That's why I've attended local Robby Burns dinners rather than the formal event held by the St. Andrew's Society.

[BEEDEE]

Since St Andrews Day so often falls right about Thanksgiving, having a separate function 10 days or so earlier makes sense. I like the idea of calling it the 'Feast of the Haggis'.

Brian

[dfmacliam]

Sounds like a real well to do event.. It would probably be a great event to attend. It's too bad I am going to the Chicago area for work, about a week too late.. but since i'll be there for a couple months, maybe I can find something else to crash..lol