“Burns and Whisky Gang Thegither – in China

This message is courtesy of my friend Russell Walker in Scotland.  http://www.friendsofscotland.gov.uk/

Todd

You may be interested in this news snippet; I’ll try to find out if any copies of the translated poetry are available.

“Burns and Whisky Gang Thegither – in China

Two of Scotland's greatest assets –
Robert Burns and Scotch Whisky – were at the heart of a Chinese charm
offensive this week in Beijing by Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace.
Figures released by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) show that sales
of whisky continued to soar in China last year –  in the first ten
months of 2004, the volume of Scotch exports to China rose by 137 per
cent.This is the equivalent of an extra 3.7 million bottles of whisky
being shipped to China compared to the same period in 2003. Mr Wallace
was also promoting the publishing of a book of Burns poetry specially
translated into Chinese to mark a Burns Night celebration in Beijing. 
Songs such as Auld Lang Syne are very well known there and feature
prominently at celebrations such as the Chinese New Year (February 9th
in 2005), weddings and graduations. The Scottish Executive is stepping
up its promotion of Scotland in China following a recent agreement that
Chinese people will now be able to travel to Scotland as tourists,
following the removal of travel restrictions.”

 Russell Walker
“Global Friends of Scotland” at the Scottish Executive
  5 Cadogan St, Glasgow
     G2 6AT
 +44 (0) 141 242 5791

 Check our features on modern, outward looking Scotland at
http://www.friendsofscotland.gov.uk/