Glasgow’s year-long 850th anniversary celebrations are taking a creative turn this week, with over 40,000 primary school pupils across the city set to receive commemorative badges and a specially designed themed lunch menu as part of the Glasgow 850 Schools’ Festival.
A Culinary Celebration of City Symbols
At the heart of the week-long festival is a special 850-themed school menu inspired by Glasgow’s iconic Coat of Arms and the legend of St Mungo, the city’s patron saint. The menu transforms the traditional heraldic symbols into fun and accessible meals, blending history with nutrition in a way designed to spark pupils’ imagination.
Here’s what’s on the menu:
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Roast chicken (with halal option) — representing “the bird that never flew”
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Breaded fish — symbolising “the fish that never swam”
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Stuffed bell peppers — echoing “the bell that never rang”
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Steamed broccoli — standing in for “the tree that never grew”
The symbolic menu connects directly to St Mungo’s legendary miracles and Glasgow’s founding story, engaging children with their city’s past through the medium of food.
Badges and Memory-Making
In addition to the themed meals, every Glasgow primary pupil will receive a special commemorative badge, designed in pink and decorated with the city’s familiar icons. The badges, created specifically for the Glasgow 850 celebrations, blend symbols from the Coat of Arms with other modern landmarks and cultural references to the city.
The aim, according to organisers, is to foster civic pride and ensure every young Glaswegian feels a part of the city’s historic milestone.
Building Civic Connection Through Schools
The Glasgow 850 Schools’ Festival is part of a wider programme of community engagement during the city’s anniversary year. By using school events to teach children about Glasgow’s heritage in interactive ways, the council hopes to build stronger ties between future generations and the story of their hometown.
This week’s initiative is one of many under the Glasgow 850 umbrella, which includes citywide arts, cultural, and community events throughout 2025. It reflects an ongoing effort to make celebrations inclusive, grassroots-driven, and focused on shared identity.
