‘Classic’ event returns to St Andrews

From Pictish fights to comic plays, school pupils from all over Scotland will demonstrate the enduring appeal of the ancient subject of Classics at a special event in St Andrews tomorrow (Wednesday 14th June 2006).

Around 100 young classics scholars will gather at the University of St Andrews, hosts of the traditional Annual Recitation and Project Competition.

The group will travel from Aberdeen, Tayside, Edinburgh, Perthshire and within Fife to perform recitals and short dramas in ancient Greek and Latin, competing against their contemporaries for cash and trophy prizes.

The competition, which has been running for around 50 years, is organised by The Tayside Branch of the Classical Association in conjunction with the University of St Andrews’ School of Classics.

This year, it has attracted entrants from secondary schools throughout Scotland, including Glenalmond College, Dundee’s Harris Academy, Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon’s College, Edinburgh’s George Watson’s and Kilgraston from Bridge Of Earn. They join local school pupils from Madras College and St Leonards School.

The competition will award prizes at junior, intermediate and senior level – the older pupils will perform readings of Latin and Greek poetry and prose while the Juniors will perform a short comic play in Latin, set in a tavern near Gretna in the year AD 360, and depicting a fight between local Picts and Roman soldiers. The judging panel consists of members of staff from the School of Classics.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS –

DETAILS OF THE WINNERS WILL BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY AFTER 4PM ON WEDNESDAY 15TH JUNE. PLEASE CONTACT ANDREW LANG, TREASURER OF THE TAYSIDE CLASSICAL ASSOCIATION on 01334 472126 or 01334 850562 [email protected]

THE SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING ARE: Glenalmond College Perth, Madras College St Andrews, High School Dundee, St Margaret’s Aberdeen, Robert Gordons Aberdeen, St Leonards School St Andrews, Harris Academy Dundee, Kilgraston School Bridge of Earn, George Watson’s Edinburgh

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YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER / PHOTOGRAPHER TO:

The Buchanan lecture theatre, Union St, St Andrews on Wednesday 14th June, 2006 at 3.50pm as the winners of the Tayside Classical Organisation’s annual recitation and project competition are announced.

Photos of the winners will be taken immediately afterwards on St Salvator’s Quad if weather fine, or the Buchanan Lecture Theatre if weather poor.

Issued by Beattie Media On behalf of the University of St Andrews

Contact Gayle Cook 01334 467227, mobile 07900 050103, or email [email protected] Ref: Classic event pr 130606.doc View the latest University news at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk