Liverpool, like so many other northern industrial cities, has enjoyed a massive boom over the last two decades, and has now been awarded the title 'European City of Culture', in 2008. As well as giving the world a host of singers, songwriters, poets, playwrights and artists, the city has a wonderful array of galleries, theatres, and performance spaces, where local and international talent is on show. Liverpool is home to two premiership football clubs, and Aintree, where the Grand National is held each year.
2009 marks the 250th anniversary of Scottish poet Robert Burns' birth. Burns was a poet and a lyricist and is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland.
The Burns Supper was started a few years after his death by a group of his friends; they held the supper to honour and remember Burns. The tradition caught on and the ritual of Burns Supper is now held all around the world.
His life and work will be celebrated throughout the year at many Burns-related events.
