ISSUE 24 VOLUME 2 Proudly Serving Celts in North America Since 1991 FEBRUARY 2015 WELSH schoolchildren wave the red dragon – the official na- tional flag of Wales. On March 1 Welsh around the world cel- ebrate the feast day of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales. [To learn more, see pages 2 & 8] Are you ready for CelticFest Vancouver? Twelve fun-filled days of Celtic entertainment from March 6-17. Check out the full line-up on page 6. ARTWORK BY: Nataša Ilincic, artist and illustrator. ‘With a heavier back....comes a lighter spirit’ This month’s cover artwork is by artist Nataša Ilincic. She was inspired after a visit to Wales last year where she worked on an organic farm near Llanidloes, experiencing rural life, sleeping in a barn, tending to animals and wandering through the hills nearby. [For more about the artist, see page 2] NORTHERN IRELAND WIN FREE TICKETS SEVENTY-FIVE years since CANADA’S new Ambassador Win free tickets to Festival du Bois Mackin Park, Coquitlam, starting Febru- PARTIES AGREE ON his “finest hour” in leading the to Ireland Kevin Vickers pre- ary 26 (see page 4 for details). Entry by February 19. Mark your entry: A £2 BILLION DEAL fight against fascism in the sented his credentials to Presi- Festival du Bois. Second World War, Winston dent Higgins at Áras an Win tickets to CelticFest, to A Tribute to the Pogues at the Imperial, 319 TO SECURE Churchill is remembered as “a Uachtaráin on January 21. Main Street, Vancouver on March 7 (see page 6 for details). Entry by February great leader and a great His reputation at home was 26. Mark your entry: Pogues. POWER-SHARING SEE PAGE 23 Briton” at events to mark 50 elevated to hero status for his Enter to win a pair (2 tickets) to see Celtic Thunder at Abbotsford Centre, years since the former prime role in stopping a gunman in- Abbotsford on March 10; or in Edmonton at Enmax Hall, Winspear Centre on • March 16; or at Calgary on March 18 at Jack Singer Concert Hall (see page 15 minister’s State funeral. side Canada’s parliament on for details). Entry by: February 26. Only one entry per location. Mark your CATHRYN AND DANNY [See page 11] October 22. [See page 21] entry: Celtic Thunder & the city. QUINN ARE THIS YEAR’S Win a pair (2 tickets) to see The Irish Rovers at the Massey Theatre, New Westminster on March 13 (see page 2 for details). Entry by February 26. HONORARY GRAND Mail Agreement: Publication Mark your entry: Rovers MARSHALS OF SEATTLE’S 40009398 Win tickets to CelticFest Ceilidh at the Imperial, 319 Main Street, Vancouver on March 14 (see page 6 for details). Entry by February 26. Mark your entry: ST. PATRICK’S DAY Ceilidh PARADE ON MARCH 14. Entries by e-mail only. Mark the name of the event on your entry, including OR FULL DETAILS your name and daytime telephone number. (Only one entry per person.) Send F , to: [email protected]. SEE PAGES 24 & 25 PAGE 2 www.celtic-connection.com FEBRUARY 2015 Spring Arrives in Dark Times Time cannot be turned back. On an in- HE Celtic spring arrived at twilight on creasingly heated planet, tempers flare Imbolg, February 1. Yet the caul of win- and life gets cheaper every year. ter holds fast. Perhaps every generation decries the T worsening brutality of its times. Vio- As ever, this column is pre- lence begets violence. By CYNTHIA WALLENTINE pared prior to publication. As Yet in that violence, in the lives snuffed I write this, my heart grieves out, come stories of men and women who were where they were because from the tragic news of the they were trying to help. death of yet another victim in Ordinary people became aid workers, the strife-ridden Middle East. others tried to give voice to those with- out. Kenji Goto, a 47-year old journalist and family man lost his life in the unre- A journalist guessed what was ahead – lenting savagery that has gripped our and still chose to cross the line to save world. another. He lost his life but not in vain. From news reports, we hear Mr. Goto Mr. Goto was an ordinary man with travelled willingly to Syria to try and win extraordinary compassion and courage. the freedom of a countryman. Both men On a planet convulsed in pain, Mr. Goto were mercilessly beheaded. KENJI GOTO was a man who tried to expose and improve the lot of I will not pretend to be adequately in- dreamed of worldwide peace those who suffer, particularly children. formed on the politics of the day, or that and fought for it without guns. In pursuing his personal mandate, he region. Like many, I struggle to keep Let’s remember him as a hero met an untimely and tragic death. head and household above water and of the free world and not as a get through each day. But the deepen- victim of IS. In the small and large moments of every ing cruelty between humans, and its day, and every life, we all make choices. broadening reach, cannot be ignored. Mr. Goto paid the ultimate price for his “Engage our world, choice of compassion. Last night I attended a local school pro- gram. Talented students sang, played instead of He will be missed by those who love musical instruments and danced. him, and those who never knew him. The world is diminished. How many, I wondered, will close their killing it.” eyes on this world as a result of the But Mr. Goto tried. He acted for his personal or impersonal violence that has The minds and lives of children are poi- own, undoubtedly complex, reasons. bullied itself into local and national head- soned by acts and images they are too Precious blood seeps into the ground lines? young to bear. where he fell, giving strength to those Our society is woefully inured to vio- The paths and pursuits of adults are who would follow their heart, aspire to lence. We accept it with grief, then sta- ruthlessly terminated when they hap- courage and walk the thin line between tistics and move on. What else is to be pen into the wrong place at the wrong life and death to try and save a fellow done? I have no answers. time – whether it is a war-torn country, man, woman or child. a sports event, a café or a public build- Throughout history, humans have tried But the creeping bloodstain takes its toll. ing. As minds and hearts toughen to the in- and failed in the darkest of times. They evitability of terrorist and other acts of Violence is endemic to the human race. become our saints, our heroes, our leg- violence, the energy of evil plants itself We are an often cruel and historically ends. St. David: Patron Saint of Wales where it never should grow. violent species. The good earth is stained with their “Be joyful and keep your faith and your creed. blood and their courage is metabolized Do the little things that you have seen me do ABOUT OUR COVER ARTIST into our own. and heard about. I will walk the path Take the small step – or the big one – that our fathers have trod before us.” Nataša Ilincic is an artist and illustrator based to help someone or something today. – St. David, Patron Saint of Wales (D. 569) in Italy. Born in Sarajevo (BiH), she has been Hold a door open, make a contribution, Saint David’s Day (Welsh: Dydd In the Sixth Century, he founded a living in northeast Italy since she was two volunteer some time. Gwyl Dewi,) is the feast day of Saint monastery and church at Glyn years old. After graduating in classical stud- David, the patron saint of Wales, and Rhosyn (Rose Vale) on the banks of Say a kind word, recognize the equal ies she has studied archaeology. She de- falls on 1 March each year. The first the River Alun. humanity of the downtrodden, have day of March was chosen in remem- votes her spare time to art, occasionally cre- courage and try to nourish the seeds brance of the death of Saint David. David’s fame as a teacher and as- ating art on commission for private clients. planted by those who sacrifice for Tradition holds that he died on that cetic spread throughout the Celtic world. The monastic brotherhood he For more information about her work, see her higher aims. day in 569. The date was declared a national day of celebration within founded was very strict – besides blog at: http://natasailincic.blogspot.it, or visit Engage our world, instead of killing it. praying and celebrating masses, they her Facebook page at: https:// Wales in the 18th century. In coming seasons, be someone who cultivated the land and carried out www.facebook.com/natasa.ilincic.art. tries, even if you fail. It matters. David was the son of King Sant of many crafts, including beekeeping, in South Wales and Saint Non. He was order to feed themselves and the ordained a priest and studied under many pilgrims and travellers who Saint Paulinus and was involved in needed lodgings. They also fed and missionary work and opened many clothed the poor and needy. monasteries. THE CELTIC CONNECTION ISSUE 24 VOLUME 2 - Established in 1991 #452 - 4111 Hastings Street, Burnaby, B.C. V5C 6T7 Tel: (604) 434-3747 • www.celtic-connection.com Maura De Freitas - Publisher - • E-Mail: [email protected] Catholine Butler - Advertising - • E-Mail: [email protected] Colleen Carpenter - Copy Editor • Ainsley Baldwin - Ad Production Distribution: Arlyn Lingat • Tom Butler • Allison Moore • Linda Robb • Frank Dudfield in Surrey • Neville Thomas in Burnaby & Coquitlam • Eifion Williams in Burnaby & Coquitlam • Doug Medley in North Vancouver • Gabriel Clark in Coquitlam & Port Moody • Joanne Long in Mission • Bill Duncan in Maple Ridge • Deirdre O’Ruaric, Ray & Mary Fynes, Gerry O’Keefe in White Rock • Nanci Spieker and Heather Murphy in Seattle • Oliver Grealish in Edmonton.