January 25, 2010 marks the 251st birthday of the Scottish poet Robert Burns, author of “Auld Lang Syne” and “My luv’s like a red, red rose.” Each year, the anniversary is commemorated with the celebration of Burns Night, a traditional holiday in Scotland and the UK. Burns Night festivities usually honor the bard of Scotland with a combination of food, song and poetry. The host will serve a dish of haggis with bagpipe music, a whisky toast, and the recitation of Burns’ famous “Address to a Haggis.” The dinner concludes with readings of his poetry and, of course, the singing of Auld Lang Syne.
Alas, for Americans wishing to honor the poet, Burns Night celebrations lack a wee bit of authenticity – haggis has been banned in the United States for over twenty years, due to health concerns about its contents. The dish, which mixes sheep innards with oatmeal and spices, will soon be legal here, thanks to the planned reversal of the longstanding ban by the U.S. department of agriculture, and ending the neccessity for smuggled or “bootleg” haggis, or indeed an apparently substandard version made with beef.
Nevertheless, even without haggis at present, we can still honor Robert Burns, for auld lang syne.
