The official launch of Caarjyn as Fenee, hosted by Friends and Heroes Productions Ltd and the Manx Heritage Foundation, is taking place as part of the island’s Yn Chruinnaght festival, and it would be good to welcome as many Manx speakers and their families as possible to celebrate this major accomplishment.
First shown on BBC TV in 2007, Friends and Heroes or Caarjyn as Fenee, as they’d say in Manx Gaelic (Gaelg) is already available in 11 language versions including: Arabic; Chinese (Mandarin); English; French; German; Hindi/Urdu; Italian; Korean; Portuguese (Brazilian); Russian and Spanish (South American) and has now been translated into Manx with the help of the Manx Heritage Foundation. The complete series with nearly 5? hours of animated excitement is available in a 4-DVD set retailing at a subsidised price of just ?20. Such a low price has been made possible by the voluntary participation of enthusiastic and skilled Manx actors, translators and producers, and by the donated financial and technical support of the AFD Group.
The fun stories are set in the first century AD and follow the adventures of two children, Macky and Portia, as they engage in countless escapades and fight for justice across the Roman world. Throughout each episode they share the timeless stories of the Bible and learn valuable lessons that help them through their trials and tribulations. Each episode uses a combination of traditional hand-drawn and stunning computer generated animation to bring the stories to life.
“This is ‘Yindyssagh erskyn towse’- (Fantastic above all measure) and is a real breakthrough for Manx Gaelic (Gaelg).” said Adrian Cain, Manx Language Officer for the Manx Heritage Foundation. “Each programme features a full Manx soundtrack as well as English and Manx sub-titles, making a fantastic teaching and learning resource and helping give Manx Gaelic a much higher profile both on the island and internationally.”
David Dorricott, MD of the production company said, "The AFD group has thrived since moving to Ramsey, Isle of Man in 1997 - and our staff have enjoyed the superb quality of life here. The Celtic roots of this Island Nation go back many centuries, and they are interwoven with the Celtic Christianity of the Irish and Scottish Celtic saints. When the opportunity arose to make a Manx translation of the Friends and Heroes Children's animation series, which we first produced for the BBC, we were simply delighted. Not only will this provide the very first children’s animation series in the Manx Language; the entertaining adventures of Macky and Portia and their friends also bring the Bible stories, so important to Celtic culture, into 21st Century life.”
To see the first half episode of Friends and Heroes in Manx and to purchase a copy go to www.friendsandheroes.com/manx.
Saturday July 20th, 11am at Peel Centenary Centre. (Admission is free but email: marketing@friendsandheroes.com to reserve a seat.)
