An Leabhar Mòr, The Great Book of Gaelic, is a major contemporary artwork, a 21st century ‘Book of Kells’, that brings together the work of more than 200 visual artists, poets and calligraphers from Scotland and Ireland. After thrilling audiences around the world, promoting and raising the international profile of Gaelic through exhibitions and associated events, the book itself has become a collector’s item and is in higher demand than ever. In response to this demand, Pròiseact nan Ealan - The Gaelic Arts Agency are delighted to announce the eagerly awaited launch of the second edition of The Great Book by MSP Mike Russell at the Scottish Book Trust, Edinburgh on 29th August.

An Leabhar Mòr has moved from strength to strength since its initial publication in 2002. An international touring exhibition of 100 artworks used in the book is still on the road 6 years later. Having completed a successful tour of Ireland in 2006 -2007 the Great Book Exhibition has recently delighted audiences throughout Canada and is currently working its way round an extensive tour of North America. The tour demonstrates the unique nature of the project, its sustainability and long-term impact on audiences throughout the world. The exhibition has already toured to more than 100 locations in 5 countries, and has been seen by more than 1 million people including visits to over 100 schools.

Gavin Wallace, Head of Literature at Scottish Arts Council, said ‘One of the greatest contemporary artworks and artefacts of our times, The Great Book of Gaelic has become both the vessel and the symbol for the profound, indelible impact of Scottish and Irish Gaeldoms - and their distinct yet intimately-related forms of utterance and imagination - on the world.  The re-launch of this exquisite synthesis of the words, stories, and images of two cultures is sure to attract even larger audiences both at home and globally.’

Kevin Anderson, Project Manager, commented: "One of An Leabhar Mor's great successes is its spread throughout and beyond the Gaeltacht. In Scotland the education programme has taken the book to places such as Aberdeen, Ayrshire and Lanarkshire, where children have been learning artforms such as calligraphy and exploring the connection between word, poem and image. This use of visual arts make the project accessible to Gaels and non Gaels alike, and has enabled the exhibition tour to reach audiences wider still, including Australia, Canada and North America."

The 29th August will also see the launch of the new Leabhar Mòr website and online shop, where the book and related merchandise will be available. The website can be found at www.leabharmor.net and contains a host of background information about the book, and copies of all the poetry and imagery used.

Kirstie Anderson, Audience Development Manager for the Gaelic Arts Strategic Development said: "Whilst An Leabhar is founded in the shared history and traditions of Gaelic culture in Ireland and Scotland, forward thinking and engagement with new media has always been close to the heart of the project.  The new website is a further step along this road that started with the live streaming of the exhibition launch connecting 8 art galleries online, from the Outer Hebrides to the deep southwest of Ireland. As well as housing the entire work of An Leabhar Mòr, the new website allows even more ways to engage with this fascinating project."

As well as the book, website and exhibition An Leabhar Mòr has generated a TV documentary (Is Mise an Teanga), a series of BBC radio progammes, and a school’s pack. A music CD, An Leabhar Mòr - Na-h-Orain  (The songs) has also been released featuring Margaret Stewart, Arthur Cormack and Ishbel MacAskill amongst others. These products are also available from the website.

On the 28th August, the evening prior to the launch, Pròiseact nan Ealan will be hosting a collection of readings open to the public at the Scottish Poetry Library. In celebration of the Great Book, a evening’s entertainments will be held exploring the book and its context in more depth: the connections of Scottish-Irish history; the effects of that history; and how a legion of artists and poets took this shared culture to make the most beautiful Gaelic book of our times. The show is told in English and poemed in Gaelic - with translations - by two of Gaeldom’s finest, liveliest, most interesting and approachable poets – Louis de Paor and Aonghas MacNeacail. Starting at 6pm in the Scottish Poetry Library, everyone from Gaelic speakers to complete novices are welcome to come and hear about Irish and Scottish Gaelic culture, history and literature. Tickets are £5/ £3 from Scottish Poetry Library.

For more information go to www.leabharmor.net