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Tuesday, 25 January, 2000, 17:04 GMT

Welsh rival to Burns Night

The Welsh poet Dylan Thomas is taking on Robert Burns in a cultural battle of the nations.

25 January is traditionally Burns Night in Scotland but the Red Lion pub in Cyffylliog, near Ruthin in Denbighshire, has decided to celebrate 'Dylan Thomas Night'.

Instead of haggis, 'tatties' and 'neeps', Dylan revellers will enjoy leek and potato soup followed by cold Welsh lamb and oatmeal.

The drinkers will toast Thomas with a glass of whisky.

The organisers have arranged for actor Gwyn Hughes to read his favourite verses from the radio play 'Under Milk Wood'. Haggis

Denbighshire poet Barbara Trippier will perform her salute to Wales and its agriculture in the style of Dylan Thomas.

The event is being supported by the National Farmers' Union, who hope to use it to promote Welsh produce.

Robert Burns, who was born in Ayrshire on 25 January 1759, is remembered as Scotland's national poet.

"Burns Night' has been celebrated for generations, with revellers celebrating to the sound of pipes and with drams of whisky.

Burns is known for his poems in Scot's dialect, such as 'My Love is Like a Red Red Rose' and 'To a Mouse' - and for his songs, including 'Auld Lang Syne".

Dylan Thomas, by contrast, has no 'official' status but is perhaps the most famous 20th Century Welsh poet and writer.

A notorious drinker, Swansea-born Thomas died during a lecture tour of the United States in 1953.

Both poets have one thing in common - they remain cult figures in their countries of birth.

Related to this story:
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Spirit of Rabbie warms Scots' hearts (25 Jan 98 | UK)
Dylan Thomas - a talent scuppered by tragedy (27 Jul 98 | Entertainment)
Why did Dylan Thomas die so young? (28 Jul 98 | Entertainment)
Poet Dylan leads arts field (01 Jan 00 | Wales)
Scottish bard's poems 'unearthed' (31 Dec 98 | UK)

Internet Links: Dylan Thomas information Robert Burns official website
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