Manx Language Festival to Promote Native Tongue Through 26 Events

The annual Manx language festival, Cooish, is scheduled for November 6-10 and will include 26 events designed to promote the island’s native language next month. Special guests for the festival are award-winning singer and BBC presenter Joy Dunlop, along with fiddle player Ron Jappy. Ruth Keggin, a Manx language officer for Culture Vannin, stated that the festival would offer “something for everybody, regardless of your ability level of Manx.” The planned activities encompass a variety of options, from lectures and family games nights to sea swimming and a workshop on making Manx cocktails. The festival’s name, Cooish, is a Manx term with multiple interpretations, including “meeting” or “cosy chat.” This event began in 1995 as a celebration of the language. Ms. Keggin Gell noted a “growing” interest in Manx language acquisition, evidenced by an increase of approximately 500 speakers between the 2011 and 2021 censuses. She emphasized the “really important” role of structured courses in ensuring the language’s sustainability, enabling learners to progress from beginner to fluent levels. She further stated, “There’s still lots to be done for Manx, a minority language’s work is never done.” Additionally, Ms. Keggin Gell is scheduled to lead several workshops focusing on the Manx language and “easy song” on November 9 at Peel Methodist Church. Musicians Dunlop and Jappy, characterized as “leading lights from the Scottish trad music scene,” are set to conduct multiple free workshops throughout the festival. On November 9, at the Thie dy Vea Retreat House in Peel, Mr. Jappy will also conduct two adult workshops covering Scottish tunes and guitar accompaniment skills. Chloe Woolley, the Manx music development officer, commented that his sessions would be “really useful for musicians who wish to add a few Scottish tunes to their repertoire and learn some tricks of the trade.” Dr. Woolley added, “The guitar skills one will really benefit those who are proficient on the instrument but would like to get more involved in accompanying melody players and strumming along in trad music sessions.” Beyond their participation in a school outreach program organized by the local music charity Soundcheck, Dunlop and Jappy are also scheduled to perform a concert at the Peel Centenary Centre on November 8. Attendees are encouraged to register for events ahead of time.