World Fiddle Day Explained

World Fiddle Day is an annual celebration of fiddle music, held on the third Saturday of May.^{[1] [2]} World Fiddle Day events are held around the world, in areas where fiddle music is popular.^[3]

History

World Fiddle Day was founded by County Donegal fiddler Caoimhin Mac Aoidh in 2012.^{[4] [5]} The May date was chosen to coincide with the 1737 death of Italian violin craftsman Antonio Stradivari.^[6] The first Toronto celebration was held in 2013 and that year there was a celebration in Winnipeg as well.

In 2015, Canada declared World Fiddle Day to be National Fiddle Day as well.^{[7] [8]} There were celebrations in Owen Sound, Ontario,^[9] St. John's, Newfoundland and Toronto.^[10] The Ottawa Fiddle and Stepdancing Competition was held in Richmond, Ontario.^[11]

In 2016 a World Fiddle Day celebration was held at Fort York in Toronto on May 21. Yosvani Castañeda Valdés demonstrated Cuban fiddling, while Dan MacDonald performed and presented a workshop about Cape Breton fiddling style.^{[12] [13]} Other events were held in Owen Sound, Ontario and Scartaglen, County Kerry, Ireland.

In 2019 Kincardine, Ontario, held its fifth annual World Fiddle Day celebration with a downtown open air fiddling show.^[14] The Scartaglen celebration that year included lectures about the lives of local fiddlers Denis Murphy and Julia Clifford.^[15]

Notes and References

1. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/fiddle-violin-cape-breton-donald-maclennan-music-1.3594078 "National Fiddle Day: The difference between a fiddle and a violin"
2. https://www.thetelegram.com/news/local/fiddlers-flock-to-celebrate-world-fiddle-day-in-st-johns-129702/ "Fiddlers flock to celebrate World Fiddle Day in St. John's"
3. http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsfilmtv/world-fiddle-day-in-kerry-village-of-scartaglin-pays-tribute-to-sliabh-luachra-master-padraig-okeeffe-399193.html "World Fiddle Day in Kerry village of Scartaglin pays tribute to Sliabh Luachra master Pádraig O’Keeffe"
4. http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2015-05-12/article-4144523/Cape-Breton-fiddler-patron-of-World-Fiddle-Day/1 "Cape Breton fiddler patron of World Fiddle Day"
5. http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1286749-strike-up-the-bows-c.b.-musician-named-world-fiddle-day-patron "Strike up the bows! C.B. musician named World Fiddle Day patron"
6. http://www.fiddling.ca/news/1st-world-fiddle-day "1st World Fiddle Day"
7. http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/2016/05/21/fiddle-playing-food-for-the-soul "Fiddle playing food for the soul"
8. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/first-canadian-fiddle-day-kicks-off-with-tunes-in-st-john-s-1.3069275 "First Canadian fiddle day kicks off with tunes in St. John's"
9. http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/2015/05/17/for-the-love-of-the-fiddle "For the love of the fiddle"
10. http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=875517 "World Fiddle Day embraced"
11. http://www.ottawacommunitynews.com/news-story/5654918-fiddling-stepdancing-event-held-in-richmond/ "Fiddling, stepdancing event held in Richmond"
12. http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/6566121-world-fiddle-day-toronto-at-fort-york-inspires-musicians/ " World Fiddle Day Toronto at Fort York inspires musicians"
13. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/05/21/a-fine-day-for-fiddling-around-fort-york-hosts-a-celebration-of-stringed-joy.html "A fine day for fiddling around: Fort York hosts a celebration of stringed joy"
14. https://kincardinerecord.ca/story.php?id=7525 "Cool, clear weather for World Fiddle Day in downtown Kincardine"
15. https://www.radiokerry.ie/world-fiddle-day-attracts-hundreds-sliabh-luachra-capital/ "World Fiddle Day attracts hundreds to Sliabh Luachra capital"