Porridge Day celebrations set to cause a stir

Published on Saturday 3 October 2009 19:43

WE'VE already got Burns Night, Tartan Week, Hogmanay and St Andrew's Day.

But Scots around the world are set to get another Caledonian celebration to add to their packed social diaries.

The first World Porridge Day has been declared next weekend and organisers are seeking United Nations approval to make it an official celebration.

To be held on the second Sunday of every October, World Porridge Day will see oatmeal-related events held across the globe.

This year, there is a porridge hunt being held in Sweden, and even in Malawi they are marking the day in local schools by tucking into a local maize-based version of the dish, named Likuni Phala.

The day has been "declared" by Carrbridge Community Council, organisers of the World Porridge Making championships, which take place every year in the Highland village.

The events will raise money for Argyll-based charity Mary's Meals, which provides a healthy daily meal for 350,000 children across the world.

Organiser Linda Jolly said: "Porridge is one of the best things that Scotland has given to the world. It has really struck a chord, and we have celebrations taking place in Scotland, of course, but also in Africa, Sweden, North America and even Bosnia.

"In our view, it is the traditional national dish of Scotland. Burns himself declared Porridge the chief of Scotia's food. We've made enquiries about how we get the day officially marked as there is a UN list of 'official' days."

Burns enthusiasts, however, are unsure that "parridge" day -as the bard would have called it - would catch on. Murdo Morrison, spokesman for the Ayrshire-based World Burns Federation, said: "There are thousands of Burns Suppers held around the world, and they are a well-established part of the calendar for Scots everywhere. I'm not sure a porridge supper would go down quite so well. I can't see it replacing haggis as the national dish."

Morrison added: "Burns appeared to be a fan of porridge, but it doesn't get the same treatment that haggis does."

The date of World Porridge Day has been chosen to tie in with the annual World Porridge Making Championship next Sunday.