Rool Brittannia!

[janewilliams20]

So there we were sitting in the Renaissance Kingdoms tavern last night, when someone mentioned that they'd have to leave soon, because Last Night of the Proms was about to start. A few of us said things like "ooh, is it? better go and sing along then" and the Americans present looked blank (even by chat room standards). We did a little "singing" for practice, someone explained "it's a UK thing, go and look at Youtube, bye", and off we went.

And much fun was had, sitting* on the sofa with several bears, beers, and a box of chocolates. Neither of us can sing, but that didn't stop us.

But, afterwards, I wonder. Am I right in thinking that this is the only event in the year when open patriotism is celebrated and acceptable? St Georges Day? Silence. Queen's birthday? When's that? Trafalgar Day? Can't celebrate that, it might upset the French. But the last day of a classical music festival, and we have parks full of people waving flags and proclaiming our right to Rule the Waves (and everything else).

Somehow, this seems odd.

* Started sitting. Stood up for better singing, and, of course, for the National Anthem.

Comments

[athousandwinds.livejournal.com]

I think it is the only day for patriotism, apart from football days, and even then a lot of people get queasy about it. I think when we do patriotism too well, so when we do it officially there's always a hint of uneasiness - I mean, the last time we were truly patriotic, we had the Empire. So yeah.

(This is a peculiarly English thing, though. One of my flatmates last year had a duvet cover emblazoned with the Welsh flag, and just about every Welsh guy I know has either the flag pinned up in his room or a keyring or something to show patriotism, and these are not necessarily Plaid Cymru supporters.)

[maeve-the-red.livejournal.com]

We watched the Last Night of the Proms at Sue Mason's place and yes, we too sung (having first drunk, obviously). Despite my normal aversion to anything that smacks of jingoism I always enjoy the Last Night, possibly because it's something I've always watched, though I'm not entirely sure I agree with my friend J's comment: 'How could we lose an empire when we make music like this?!'