Amhrán na Leabhar (Song of the Books) on the cello

I have learned this air from Matt Cranitch's book. Interestingly enough, after researching about the name of the tune I found out that I have already known the story about the loss of a priceless collection of books which sunk with a boat that was transporting them.
What I did not know was that this air was about that very story, the owner of the books wasTomás Rua Ó Súilleabháin and that it all happened when Irish language went in decline and was banned for use in public.
It is heartbreaking to think of a language being banned from being used (same thing happened in the Basque Country, where I live). And yet we see once and again how resilient people are when defending their own culture.

[@JJBushfan]

Another fine Irish air as usual, but may I ask a personal question? Your name suggests you're Russian (or at least come from one of the Slavic countries.) You speak and write English better than most native English speakers. Now you say you live in the Basque country. How many languages do you speak fluently?

[@ElenaKoptevaCello]

Thank you! Learning languages is an old hobby of mine. I am using English, Russian and Spanish on a daily basis, and I’d say that I am close to becoming fluent in Basque, although for that I’d need quite a bit of speaking practice.
I used to speak Dutch when I lived in the Netherlands, but it is now in disuse so I don’t think I would be able to make a coherent sentence. Maybe understand some.