This event, running between 23 - 25 January, forms part of the nationwide Homecoming celebrations marking the 250^th anniversary of Burns’ birth.

A free event on 25 January, featuring a host of performers, will be the climax of the three nights of displays on the City Chambers, delivered by projection artist Ross Ashton of E/T/C UK Ltd. Ross created similiar large-scale projections at Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Jubilee in 2002 and Edinburgh Castle for the Military Tattoo. Images of these projections are available on request.

The performers on 25 January - Burns Night - will include comedian Andy Cameron as MC, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Michelle McManus, choir the Sirens of Titan, The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society and the Phoenix Honda Glasgow Skye Pipe Band. Renowned public speaker David Sibbald will toast the Immortal Memory.

A special ceremony will see schoolchildren laying a wreath of red roses and rose petals around the Burns statue in George Square, and a firework display will signal the end of the Burns Night programme, which will run between 5.45 - 8pm.

The depiction of Burns’ life and times will take the form of a dramatic lighting projection - with accompanying music and narrative soundtrack - creating a rich tapestry of moving images on the façade of the City Chambers every evening between 5.30 - 9pm on 23 and 24 January, and at 6.05pm on 25 January. The projection will run for 15 minutes, and will be shown on a loop on 23 and 24 January.

Glasgow is the home of one of the biggest Burns’ collections in the world, held in the city’s Mitchell Library, with the original manuscript of Auld Lang Syne being a prized part of the collection. Pieces from this collection will be used by Ross Ashton when creating his projections.

Deputy Lord Provost Allan Stewart, leader of the city’s lighting strategy, said: "It was very important that Glasgow recognised the 250^th anniversary of one of Scotland’s greatest sons. Two of Glasgow’s greatest assets - the friendliness of its people and an international outlook - were characteristics shared by Burns and famously expressed in the words of A Man’s A Man For A’ That. Bearing this in mind, it is appropriate that Glasgow hosts this unique event that I am sure the city’s people and visitors will enjoy."

Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: "We are delighted Glasgow is hosting this unique event which will put Burns very firmly in the spotlight. George Square provides the perfect backdrop to tell the story of the life and works of our national poet and, once again, displays Glasgow's prowess as an exceptional venue for exciting and cutting-edge events."

Ross Ashton, creator of the unique projection for the event, said: "Working on this event and reading the words of Robert Burns has been a moving experience. My mother is from Ayr and would often quote Burns to us. It has been very interesting to discover the man behind these words. In this year of celebration I am honoured to have the opportunity to tell the story of Scotland’s most influential poet. It has been a pleasure to work as part of the team that has put this event together and to be carried along with their passion for Robert Burns."

The programme for the 25 January event is as follows:

5.45pm Welcome by Deputy Lord Provost Allan Stewart

5.50pm Lone Piper - from the Phoenix Honda Glasgow Skye Pipe Band - in southern turret of City Chambers playing A Man’s A Man For A’ That

6.05pm Lighting projection on to façade of City Chambers

6.20pm The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society

6.30pm Wreath of red roses laid around Burns statue by school pupils (two P7 pupils from each school) from St Patrick’s Primary & Anderston Primary, who will also scatter rose petals around the statue while Sirens of Titan sing My Love is like a Red Red Rose

6.45pm Sirens of Titan

6.50pm David Sibbald toasts the Immortal Memory

7pm Red Hot Chilli Pipers

7.20pm Spotlight on to (top floor, southern side) window of City Chambers, with performers portraying elements of Holy Willie, Tam O’Shanter and To A Mouse

7.25pm Michelle McManus

7.45pm Phoenix Honda Glasgow Skye Pipe Band perform, closing with Auld Lang Syne

7.55pm Firework display

8pm Close and final lighting projection