Latest news with #ManxCulture
BBC News
24-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Manx artists to dream up Team Isle of Man Commonwealth baton designs
Manx artists have been invited to submit designs to decorate the Isle of Man's baton set to feature in the King's Baton Relay and at the 2026 Commonwealth games, taking place in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August, will feature a 10-sport programme with athletes from across the the first time, each of the 74 nations and territories set to compete will receive their own baton to customise to reflect the uniqueness of its of the Commonwealth Games Association of the Isle of Man Basil Bielich said the organisation was hoping to see some "inspirational design ideas". Using the theme of Manx culture and heritage, the preferred design will be selected by a local panel of judges in March 2026 after the closing date for submissions of 13 winning artist will then be invited to apply the design to the baton in time for the visit of the King's Baton Relay to the island ahead of the Glasgow Bielich said the association was "excited to be able to offer this opportunity to local creatives".He said "the baton itself is simple and sustainable with no complex electronics or chambers" so the "design potential is broad". The King's Baton Relay is a games tradition that connects communities across the Commonwealth, reaching the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, the Americas, Oceania and Europe in the countdown to the tournament that takes place every four by King Charles at Buckingham Palace in March, the 18th official relay is expected to arrive on Manx shores in the second half of June 74 Batons will be then reunited at the opening ceremony of Glasgow Australian state of Victoria was originally chosen to stage the multi-sport event in 2026 but withdrew July 2023 stating it could no longer afford to overall number of sports at the Glasgow Games has halved from 20 in Birmingham in 2022 to combat rising hosting costs and time more than 200 gold medals will still be contested at venues within an eight-mile corridor of the city. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
President says Tynwald Day to be 'celebration of all things Manx'
The island's national day is a celebration "of all things Manx" as well as the parliament's roots in "ancient Viking history" the parliament's presiding officer has open-air sitting of Tynwald, which is the centre piece of the day, sees politicians, members of the the judiciary and clergy, and other dignitaries gather on Tynwald Hill in St John' of the island's culture are set to take place throughout the weekend, with the Tynwald ceremony itself held on people to celebrate the day, President of Tynwald Laurence Skelly said it was about "recognising who you are and where you're from and that these are ancient traditions". Although usually held on 5 July, as that falls at the weekend this year, the proceedings will take place on said it was a chance to celebrate "our origins" including the parliament's Viking heritage."The Vikings of course who gave us the parliament as we know it today, and Tynwald has stood that test of time," he said."This opportunity for the public to witness that in the outdoor setting that is at St John's is really quite special and unique."Tynwald is considered to be the longest continuous parliament in the world. Skelly said although there had been "subtle changes over the years", the tradition of having a church service, followed by the promulgation of the island's newest laws in Manx and English remained "very important"."The word Tynwald comes from 'assembly field' and people actually came to hear the laws of the land in the spoken word before many people could read and write," Skelly explained. He said one changes that had been brought in for 2025 was a reduction in the tiered seating in the grandstand overlooking the ceremonial walkway, which "reflected the times". He said the decision had been taken as people would often watch from the larger grassed area opposite, and and the seating had "rarely" been full in recent years. As well as the ceremony itself, a number of events are set to take place as part of the celebrations, including a replica Viking and a "global village" celebrating cultures from around the world. Skelly said the celebrations would continue into the evening with a performance by a traditional pipe band on the hill as well as a said it was not only a "day of pride of being Manx" for those born on the island, but also for those who had moved over and and embraced "our culture, and our history and our heritage". Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
