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THE CELTIC CONNECTION • MARCH 1993
Letter from the Publisher
Our Culture Offers Hope For the Future
By MAURA McCAY
SOME OF YOU, our dear and valued Celtic readers, may not be aware that there are in fact three Celtic countries celebrating the feast of their Patron Saint in the month of March. On March 1, the Welsh celebrate St. David's Day; on March 5, the Cornish celebrate St. Piran's Day and on March 17, Irish the world over celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
With all of the feasting and celebrating involved, we sometimes forget that essentially these are Holy Days on which to remember men whose mission was to bring the word of God to the people.
Whether you agree or disagree with the work these men did for their countries, no one can deny the changes they brought about in their respective areas and the sincerity with which they carried out their missions.
Many people ask me today why the word "Celtic" evokes such strong feelings in so many different nationalities and cross-sections of the community. It seems that we have moved so far away from our roots, that often we sense ourselves to be free-falling, while searching for an extended branch of a tree to which we can cling.
There is such dilution in our present society, families are separating and moving away and the old structures no longer in place. We no longer have contact with birthing and dying. Our children are raised by strangers and our old people are shut away in homes to die alone. Our connection with the Earth is so far removed that we have forgotten that our ancestors recognized it as a living entity to be respected and revered.
The uniting factor for all Celts is our roots and our history, mythology, art, music, songs and dance. It is an exquisite legacy and now, in these times of trial and confusion, there is a world-wide Celtic revival.
People seem to have become aware that we have been left something so precious and beautiful that it can transcend boundaries and raise our consciousness to give us hope.
We have endeavoured to provide a balance between the old world and the new one in The Celtic Connection. This is not the commercial view given to us by Hollywood and TV commercials, but the real one, given to us by our old ones and kept alive through our culture.
Somehow, we are providing a link between these two worlds and I believe that through our work we are assisting with this transition. Like all growth and change, it is exciting, challenging, intriguing, often funny and sometimes very painful.
The pain that we experience in our struggle for survival, I liken to a mother giving birth to her child. We love the life that we carry and understand that in order to grow we must walk through the fire. It is like an initiation into a deeper awareness of ourselves and the world around us.
Sometimes, when the nights seem very long and morale seems to stumble, something wonderful happens. Often we receive a letter from one of our readers, giving us the encouragement to continue. This month, the recognition from Irish-America magazine in New York City was an enormous boost. I was deeply honoured to be named as one of their top 100 Irish-Americans of 1993.
Thanks for all your support, please continue to tell your friends and relations about our wonderful vehicle for communication and encourage them to become a part of The Celtic Connection.
With love, ^nOQjurv^.
LETTERS
We are Honoured
Dear Maura:
An estimated 44 million Irish Americans are living in the U.S. However there are only 100 in Irish America's magazine's top 100 Irish Americans.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to our 1993 Top 100 Irish Americans, which will be published in our March issue. Your contributions both to your heritage and your country have made a difference and we are proud to be able to acknowledge them.
We will host a reception in March 11 to honour the Top 100 Irish Americans. This will be held in New York City at the Plaza Hotel. You will be receiving an invitation shortly. I hope you will be able to attend and look forward to seeing you there.
Congratulations.
Sincerely, Niall O'Dowd, Publisher, Irish America Magazine
ABOUT THE ARTIST
The Celtic warrior on the back cover of this month's issue was provided by a Vancouver-based Celtic artist known as Cormac. He is known for his beautifully illustrated Celtic t-shirts.
Brian Cormac Isaac has been a visual artist since birth. He has been doing Gaelic art for the past eight years and studied in both Canada and in Cork, Ireland. Cormac's inspiration comes from the Irish republican struggle for self-determination. Part of that struggle is to revitalize Irish arts and culture.
Cormac strives to be a well-rounded Gael, concerned with politics as well as culture. His original designs follow the spirit of traditional art, and may be found adorning canvases, walls, bodies and many other objects. Cormac is currently exhibiting his work at Cafe S'il Vous Plait at 500 Robson Street in Vancouver.
WIN A TRIP TO THE MOVIES
Here's your chance to win two free passes to the Royal Centre cinema in Vancouver and support The Celtic Connection. The first three people to stop by our offices with three co m pie ted subscrip Hon forms will each win two passes to see any movie at the cinema until May 31.
Celtic Graphics By Ron Johnston
Can You Spare 3 Hours a Month?
We've had good response to our calls for help with the distribution of The Celtic Connection. Thank you for responding to our call.
We are still looking for reliable drivers with their own vehicles in the following areas: UBC/ West Side, East Vancouver, White Rock, Burnaby and the Fraser Valley.
If you have time to volunteer a few hours a month, please call Vivienne Connolly at (604) 681-5562.
THE CELTIC CONNECTION
Volume 3, Number 2 822 - 510 West Hastings St. Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1L8
Tel: (604) 681-5562 Fax:681-2988
Maura McCay
Publisher/Editor
Jack Wallace
Consulting Editor
Tom Collins
Design/Art Director
Alicia Martin
Assistant Editor
Cathollne Egan
Display Advertising
Richard Carrlck
Display Advertising
Lorle McCambley
Sales Co-Ordinator
Marie Bruce
Distribution
Errln Clutton
Editorial Assistant
Subscription rate $26.00 Cdn or U.S. Published 11 times per year. Unsolicited submissions must be accompanied by a Canadian stamped envelope. Contents copyright 1993 The Celtic Connection.
Canada Post Canadian Publications Agreement477842. Printed in Canada.
CELTIC TRIVIA QUIZ
Last month we asked our readers to send in a postcard with the correct answer to the following question: Name three films which have featured the music of Clannad?
The following people sent in their answers and we are pleased to send them out a CD of Celtic music compliments of Tom Coxworth. Tom writes a music column for The Celtic Connection and hosts In the Tradition radio show in Edmonton:
Shawn Kenney of Port Coquitlam, B.C. Won: Serrated Edge, Tempest.
Art Wilson of Delta, B.C. Won: Yon Castle Wa, Heather Heywood.
T. Lyle Davles of Vancouver, B.C. Won: The Last of the Mohicans soundtrack.
W. Paskiewith of Vancouver, B.C. Won: Heyday, Fairport Convention.
Lyle Skinner of Winnipeg, Manitoba Won: Full House, Fairport Convention.
Congratulations and thanks for your cards and letters.
This month we have a new trivia question and it's a little tricker this time: Scottish singer, songwriter, activist Ewan Mac-Coll wrote a song for his wife Peggy Seeger In 1957. This song was a major hit for Roberta Flack in 1972. What was the name of the song?
Send your answers to: The Celtic Connection, Suite #822 - 510 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1L9.