Man of Democracy: an introduction to Robert Burns

Date:     Fri 11/04/14 – Sun 27/04/14

Hours:  10:00am – 5:00pm

Venue:  M.A.D.E (Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka)

Price:    Free upon admission to M.A.D.E

On the 21st of April 1887, a statue of Robert Burns was unveiled on Sturt Street, Ballarat. 20,000 people turned out for the event. The £1000 to commission the Italian-made work was raised by public subscription. In today’s money, that’s $1 million. There were many people who admired Robbie Burns, and his poems, and were prepared to donate the money for his statue.

So who is Robert Burns? As Ballarat goes Scottish with the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s Auld Lang Syne exhibition, the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka introduces this man of democracy.

Robert Burns – farmer, soldier, songwriter, father, taxman and poet. The many faces of Robert Burns will be explored in M.A.D.E’s introduction to Scotland’s favourite son. His quick wit, fierce egalitarianism and love for Scotland has ensured his lasting legacy. Listen to his poems, find out why his views were so controversial in 18th century Scotland and trace Burns life story from farmer to literary star.

Co-presented by the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and the National Trust for Scotland, this exhibition will help visitors understand why there are more statues erected to the memory of Robert Burns around the globe than to any other individual in history!