The ''Reih Bleeaney Vanannan'' is the

Isle of Man ) , anthem = "O Land of Our Birth" , image = Isle of Man by Sentinel-2.jpg , image_map = Europe-Isle_of_Man.svg , mapsize = , map_alt = Location of the Isle of Man in Europe , map_caption = Location of the Isle of Man (green) in Europe ...

's most prestigious annual award for culture. It is presented by

Culture Vannin Culture Vannin is the trading name for the Manx Heritage Foundation, established in 1982 by the Isle of Man Government to promote Manx culture, heritage and language. It was rebranded in February 2014, having previously been known as the "Manx Her ...

to the person or group who, in the opinion of the panel of assessors, has made the most outstanding contribution to

Manx culture The culture of the Isle of Man is influenced by its Celtic and, to a lesser extent, its Norse origins, though its close proximity to the United Kingdom, popularity as a UK tourist destination, and recent mass immigration by British migrant worke ...

. It is officially presented by the President of Culture Vannin (the new name of the Manx Heritage Foundation), normally in January each year. Recipients of the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan ('Manannan's Choice of the Year' in

Manx Gaelic Manx ( or , pronounced or ), also known as Manx Gaelic, is a Gaelic language of the insular Celtic branch of the Celtic language family, itself a branch of the Indo-European language family. Manx is the historical language of the Manx peo ...

) are entitled to use the letters RBV after their name. They hold the trophy for one year, as well as receiving a medal and a donation to be split between themselves and a Manx cultural cause of their choice. It was first awarded in 1987, as a part of the Foundation's overarching policy "to support and promote Manx culture" established at the creation of the Foundation through the Manx Heritage Foundation Act 1982 (an Act of

Tynwald Tynwald ( gv, Tinvaal), or more formally, the High Court of Tynwald ( gv, Ard-whaiyl Tinvaal) or Tynwald Court, is the legislature of the Isle of Man. It consists of two chambers, known as the branches of Tynwald: the directly elected House of ...

). The panel of assessors for the award is appointed by Culture Vannin and represents the key Manx cultural organisations. The panel consists of representatives from

Yn Çheshaght Ghailckagh , also known as the Manx Language Society and formerly known as Manx Gaelic Society, was founded in 1899 in the Isle of Man to promote the Manx language. The group's motto is (Without language, without country). History Following the decline ...

Yn Chruinnaght ( Manx for "the gathering"){{cite web , title=Yn Chruinnaght , url=http://www.isleofman.com/attractions/arts-culture/ceremonies-and-festivals/yn-chruinnaght/ , website=isleofman.com , publisher=Manx Telecom Trading Ltd , access-date=8 June 2018 is ...

, the Isle of Man Arts Council, Culture Vannin and

Manx National Heritage Manx National Heritage ( gv, Eiraght Ashoonagh Vannin) is the national heritage organisation for the Isle of Man. The organisation manages a significant proportion of the island’s physical heritage assets including over 3,000 acres of coastlin ...

. Nominations are invited from the public in November of each year. The RBV trophy consists of the figure of the sea-god Manannan standing on a piece of Pooilvaaish marble, resting on a plinth. It also contains traces of

quartz Quartz is a hard, crystalline mineral composed of silica (silicon dioxide). The atoms are linked in a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon-oxygen tetrahedra, with each oxygen being shared between two tetrahedra, giving an overall chemical form ...

from the

South Barrule The South Barrule ( gv, Baarool Jiass) is the highest hill in the south of the Isle of Man. It has the remains of a fort on its summit, which is traditionally the home of the Manx god of the sea Mannanan beg mac y Leir. The hill is largely surro ...

, one of Manannan's fortresses, and a brooch of

Laxey Laxey ( gv, Laksaa) is a village on the east coast of the Isle of Man. Its name derives from the Old Norse ''Laxa'' meaning 'Salmon River'. Its key distinguishing features are its three working vintage railways and the largest working waterwhee ...

silver in the form of the Three Legs of Man presented by

Mona Douglas Mona Douglas (18 September 1898 – 8 October 1987) was a Manx cultural activist, folklorist, poet, novelist and journalist. She is recognised as the main driving force behind the modern revival of Manx culture and is acknowledged as the most ...

.'National Award'
from ''Our Heritage Still: More Memories of the Past in Rushen'', Book Four, Douglas: Norris Modern Press, 1986 (accessed on the Rushen Heritage Trust Facebook page, 29 January 2015) It was designed by the late Eric Austwick. The medal presented to each recipient is designed by Jennie Kissack and executed in silver and enamel by Tony Lewis of Peel.'Reih Bleeaney Vanannan'
on the ''Culture Vannin'' website (accessed February 15, 2014)

Recipients of the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan award

References

{{reflist Manx culture Awards established in 1987 1987 establishments in the United Kingdom