Saturday, May 18, 2024

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National Fiddling Day celebrations:

Goverment of Canada: National Fiddling Day Act

https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/N-7.6/page-1.html

S.C. 2015, c. 6

Assented to 2015-03-31

An Act respecting National Fiddling Day

Preamble

Whereas the art of fiddle playing has a significant role in the cultural and social history of Canada and is practised in all of the regions of Canada;

Whereas newcomers to Canada and their Canadian descendants have enriched the culture and the different styles and repertoires of fiddle music during many generations;

Whereas in 2012 an international campaign began among fiddle players to encourage popular recognition and acclaim of a World Fiddle Day on the third Saturday in May each year, to celebrate the appreciation, beauty and history of fiddle music, and in honour of Antonio Stradivari, the renowned crafter of stringed instruments;

And whereas it is in the interest of all Canadians to become more familiar with the traditional and contemporary importance of fiddling and its importance to Canadian heritage and Canadian society;

Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

National Fiddling Day marked for the first time

The recognition comes as a result of efforts by two Maritimers on Parliament Hill
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/national-fiddling-day-marked-for-the-first-time-1.3077071

CBC News · Posted: May 16, 2015 12:03 PM AT | Last Updated: May 16, 2015

The third Saturday in May has been designated National Fiddling Day in Canada, paying tribute to the country's fiddling heritage.

Today, it's being marked for the first time as a result of efforts spearheaded by two Maritimers on Parliament Hill.

Miramichi MP Tilly O'Neill-Gordon introduced the bill in the House of Commons. Senator Elizabeth Hubley from P.E.I. created the private members bill.

Hubley says love of the instrument is shared nationwide.

"Well, who loves fiddles more than the Maritimes," she said. "They're certainly loved just across Canada. I've certainly found out from the enthusiasm, from the reports I've received since this bill came through."

Hubley says it's about more than just the music.

"The fiddle is an intricate part of community lives in Canada," she said.

"A national fiddle day is to recognize the men and women and young people who have mastered the instrument and continue to play for céilidh and benefits and they do just so much work within their communities."

National Fiddling Day will be observed on P.E.I. with two concerts, one held in a church, and one held in the afternoon in a pub.

An event was also held in Ottawa.

Erin O'Toole - former Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and former Minister of Veterans Affairs, CPC
*while speaking on the floor of the House of Commons, March 25 2015

"Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for bringing this subject up in the House of Commons to recognize the unique cultural impact that the fiddle and fiddle music have had throughout Canada, rural Canada, Cape Breton Island, and southern Ontario. My riding is very proud to be the home of Mark Sullivan, a three-time national fiddle champion who now lives in British Columbia. We wish he would come back and share his music in Ontario more than he does, but the Sullivan family in Bowmanville is very proud of his accomplishments. He is part of a network of fiddle music and traditional Celtic music that really makes this country a better place. They work together. In Cape Breton, they have the Leahys in Lakefield. They have Mark Sullivan from Bowmanville connecting through with New Brunswick and western Canada. My question for the member is simply this: has the community recognized her work in spreading the important message of the impact of this wonderful music to our culture?"

-Re: National Fiddling Day Act - Private Members' Business, March 25th, 2015 / 6:45 p.m

Source: https://openparliament.ca/debates/2015/3/25/erin-otoole-4/

“I envisioned National Fiddling Day to be a whole day of celebration where fiddlers share their talent, lifting spirits and making people happy. Like Canada, it [fiddling] embraces and accommodates many different styles and traditions, allowing each to thrive and flourish — even while we create an entirely new sound.”

— Senator Elizabeth Hubley May 18 2016