September 2018 FORUM

The history of the Caledonian Ball dates
back to the 1840s, when George, Duke
of Atholl, and his wife Anne wanted
to entertain their Scottish friends residing
in London. It soon became a fundraiser for
Scottish charities. Today, The Royal Caledonian
Charities Trust supports Scottish causes in the
following areas: the elderly, children, those
with disabilities, the military, the injured, and
the homeless.
AMSOC-CAMPINAS
September 2018
5 Reasons to Get Excited for This Year’s Caledonian Ball!
by Jennifer Licko, Scottish Dancer and Scots Gaelic Singer, Marketing and Graphics, Campinas Chapter
It is estimated that over 3 million pounds
has been given to worthy Scottish causes
since the Caledonian Ball's inception. Scottish
Organizations all over the world host their own
Caledonian Ball where attendees wear their
finest Highland Evening dress.
There is no doubt that the Scots are a people of
love and pride for their land. If you watch the
hit TV show Outlander, then you have some
insight about the passion the Scots hold for
their country.
After the battle of Culloden in 1746, the British
government approved an act of parliament
which meant many of these Scottish traditions
were considered a penal offense. The act
was repealed in 1785, but almost an entire
generation of Highlanders were not allowed to
honor their own culture. This history intensifies
the 5 reasons to get excited about attending
this year’s ball!
The American Society of São Paulo FORUM Newsletter
#1 Highland Dancing
The Highland Fling was traditionally danced by
men as a celebration of a battle won. To see this
stationary dance in its entirety will make you
appreciate the strength and stamina it takes
to be a highland dancer. Highland dances are
typically danced solo and in competition—
where men and women compete equally. One
study showed that a half hour of dance was
equal to a game of soccer.
#2 Scottish Country Dancing
The event is known for its Scottish country
dancing and it is tradition for all ball attendees
to dance every reel.
#3 The Great Highland Bagpipe
The highland bagpipe was named
as an instrument of war and was
also banned for nearly half a
century in the 1700s.
#4 The Whiskey!
Whiskey is Scotland’s national drink and
their biggest export, so out of respect for the
culture, it’s important to enjoy it! Scottish
distillers take the purest water from streams of
the highlands and add the golden barley from
the fields to create the spirit found in oak casks
maturing in Scotland. It is not a Scotch until it
has aged in Scotland for at least three years,
but most single malts are dormant in Scotland
for much longer.
#5 The Kilts
If Sean Connery showed the world anything,
it was that preserving the highland culture
and executing it by wearing a kilt is beyond
cool! The truth is that the kilt is a historic
piece of clothing that has stood the test of
time for warmth, comfort, and durability.
In the Highlands of Scotland the kilt
traditionally became synonymous with the
symbol of clan kinship.
The St. Andrew Society of São Paulo will be
holding their Caledonian Ball, to be held at
Espaço Transatlantico, on Saturday, September
29 th , and their mission is to promote Scottish
culture in São Paulo.
For more information send an email to
2018standrew@gmail.com. §
Caledonia
The Ancient Name of Scotland
“For if I should become a stranger, you
know that it would make me more
than sad. Caledonia’s been everything
I’ve ever had.”
—as written by one of Scotland’s wellloved
songwriters, Dougie MacLean.
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