Nominations Invited for Top Manx Cultural Award

An invitation has been extended for individuals to be nominated for a prestigious award recognizing a significant and enduring contribution to the culture of the Isle of Man. This accolade, known as the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan (RBV), translates from Manx Gaelic as Manannan’s Choice of the Year, and serves to acknowledge voluntary efforts dedicated to advancing Manx heritage. Submissions for this esteemed recognition, which has previously honored contributions across fields such as history, music, art, language, and wildlife, will be accepted until December 3. Breesha Maddrell, Director of Culture Vannin, stated that the award provides a means of expressing gratitude to individuals for “what they give so freely to the Isle of Man and its sense of identity”. Established in 1986, the RBV features the sea god Manannan as the symbolic protector of Manx culture and is considered the foremost award within this domain. Candidates are evaluated based on the scope and duration of their impact, the methods by which their work is disseminated, and its originality. In the previous year, Adrian Corkill received the RBV for his extensive effort in creating a database that chronicles over 2,000 historical shipwrecks in Manx waters, a project spanning more than 30 years. In addition to having their name inscribed on the trophy, awardees are presented with a medal and are granted the chance to designate a Manx cultural initiative to be the beneficiary of a donation. Dr. Maddrell described it as a “wonderful way of recognising the contribution to Manx culture by a person or a group or people”. She further commented that it serves as both a celebration and a “ripple effect” for disseminating the positive influence of the work. The eventual winner, whose identity will be revealed in January, is selected by a committee comprising representatives from diverse cultural organizations across the island.