THE Royal National Mod has been hailed as a “huge success” after a hybrid festival was joined by attendees from around the world.
The event, which was first held in 1892, had to be postponed in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. However it was brought back this year with a hybrid approach this year - with performances, competitions and cultural activities in-person and online.
Running from October 8-16, organisers said that the Mod “closed in style as the sounds of singing from choirs the length and breadth of Scotland rang out across Inverness, celebrating the nine-day festival’s triumphant return”.
The 129-year-old event celebrating Gaelic language and culture was held at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness and closed with a Massed Choirs Event, where the Mod flag was handed over to the city of Perth - which is due to host the event in 2022.
Organisers said there were 16 senior choirs present, with 320 choristers taking part in showcase concerts.
Meanwhile, there were more than 400 online participants across 86 online competitions, including piping, poetry and accordion. These drew in online viewers from as far afield as the US, New Zealand, and Japan.
James Graham, CEO of An Comunn Gàidhealach - which organises the Mod, said: “It’s safe to say that the Mod has been a huge success this year and we’re over the moon that the hybrid approach has given everyone the opportunity to enjoy the festivities at home and in countries right around the world.
“Inverness has been well worth the wait and an important step towards a full-scale in-person Mod next year - thanks to everyone who made this possible.
“We are very much looking forward to bringing our Gaelic festival of culture and song to Perth in 2022. The Mòd will bring a boost in culture and tourism to The Fair City as thousands of Gaels gather in celebration once more and I’m sure attendees will enjoy the beautiful scenery and excellent hospitality Perth has to offer.”
Perth and Kinross Councillor John Duff, a regular competitor in the Mod, added: “The Royal National Mod is a wonderful celebration and will give us a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Gaelic heritage of Perth and Kinross.
“Since the last time the Mod was in Perth, the Concert Hall has opened, Perth Theatre has been completely refurbished and we have created an amazing new outdoor performance space at St Paul’s. We’ve worked hard to improve the cultural offering in Perth and the Mod’s return is testament to that ambition.”
The Royal National Mòd is supported by EventScotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, The Highland Council, EventScotland, The Scottish Government, HIE, Caledonian MacBrayne and SQA.
Next year’s Mòd will take place in Perth from October 14-22, 2022. For more information, visit https://www.ancomunn.co.uk/
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