Forum of Research on the Languages of Scotland...

30 November 2024, 09:00, Ulster University, Belfast

Runs to 30 November 2024

The 14th Triennial Conference of the Forum for Research on Languages of Scotland and Ulster takes place in Belfast from 29-30 November.

It is fifty years since the Belfast poet and critic, John Hewitt, published his Rhyming Weavers and Other Country Poets of Antrim and Down. This celebration of poetry, drawn from thirty years researching local Ulster writing, made a major contribution to linguistic and literary studies in Northern Ireland and beyond. His collection was groundbreaking and daring. He gathered a range of writers from across many of the counties of Ulster, and for the first time gave serious critical reaction and space to labouring-class authors whose writing, culture and language were heavily inflected by the Scots literary and linguistic traditions in Ireland. 

As much as he was a champion of the Scots language, he was particularly attuned to the established and new languages of Scotland and Ulster. 

In his personal life his house was open to any number of individuals keen to share their language and art. From fostering Basque children after the Spanish Civil war to sharing his table with various displaced person from Ireland and across Europe during and after World War Two his sense of inclusivity and support of those in need was a beacon to many. 

In this year’s conference of the Forum for Research on the Languages of Scotland and Ulster we wish to use the memory of John Hewitt to highlight those individuals, groups and associations who have worked to improve the standing of the languages we cherish.  

The schedule of events can be downloaded, but tickets to the conference must be booked in advance. Secure tickets here.

On Friday 29 November, the FRLSU Conference will be held at the Duncairn Centre, Belfast.  

On Saturday 30 November, the FRLSU Conference will be held at Ulster University, Belfast.  

The Conference is taking place as part of the programme of events for Ulster-Scots Language Week 2024.