Highest cultural award for youth festival founder

A teacher who has been at the forefront of a festival promoting young Manx musicians and dancers for nearly 25 years has been given the Isle of Man's highest cultural award.

Juan Garrett has been awarded the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan in recognition of his contribution to Manx culture, particularly dance, for four decades.

Garrett founded the festival Shennaghys Jiu - Manx Gaelic for "tradition today" - to showcase young local talent alongside visiting groups from other Celtic nations.

Culture Vannin said his influence had been "felt across generations" and had had a "lasting effect on the cultural self-confidence" of the island's young people.

Also known as Manannan's Choice of the Year, the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan award is given to people who work to promote and support an aspect of Manx culture.

Recipients are chosen by a panel of organisations.

A longstanding member of Manx traditional dance group Ny Fennee, which was formed in the 1980s, Garrett has been involved in training "successive cohorts of young dancers to the very highest standards".

Those efforts had seen the island's traditions showcased not only at a local level but also at festivals in places including Galicia, Brittany, Ireland and Cornwall.

Outlining Garrett's contribution, Culture Vannin director Dr Breesha Maddrell said Shennagys Jiu was one of the "most cherished celebrations of Manx youth culture", and its longevity was a "testament to Juan's passion and perseverance, influencing thousands of young people who have taken part".

"Through his leadership, Shennaghys Jiu has grown into a major cultural event with both local and international resonance, providing a welcoming platform for Manx young people to explore and share their culture and heritage," she said.

Nominations for the award had "talked of how Juan's work has had a profound and lasting effect on the cultural self-confidence of the Island's young people", which she said was something "crucial for the future of Manx culture".

"The legacy he has built is one that continues to ripple outward [through]families, schools, cultural groups, and the wider community," added Maddrell.

"His influence is woven into the cultural experiences of countless young people and families.

"Juan has helped ensure that Manx culture is lived, shared, and passed on with pride."

As well as having their names added to the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan trophy - which is a depiction of the sea god Manannan - recipients receive a specially designed medal and can use the letters RBV after their name.

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