Storer68
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I prefer my flags to look like this......
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St Georges Day
- Thread starter champion7
- Start date
Row Z Creased Shirt
New member
The fact that we don't make too much of big deal about St Georges Day is one of things I like about being English. I shall have a couple of pints of fine English ALE in celebration whilst watching the footy down the pub, what could be more English than that. If it ever turned into a St Patricks Day type binfest then I would be utterly appalled.
keaton
Big heart, hot blood and balls. Big balls
- Nov 18, 2004
- 9,972
Billy Bragg The Guardian, Wednesday April 23 2008
Article history
About this articleClose This article appeared in the Guardian on Wednesday April 23 2008 on p9 of the UK news section. It was last updated at 10:01 on April 23 2008. The notion of a patriotic celebration of St George's Day is something that many English people feel ambiguous about, owing to the historical connotations that it carries. For a long time we've flown the union flag rather than the flag of Saint George - but a mixture of a greater confidence in Scotland and the recent influx of immigrants has put the English identity back on the agenda. It is possible for St George's Day to become a celebration, but whether or not it can become a national day in the way the Americans have, I very much doubt; we just wouldn't feel comfortable with a day when we have all got to salute the flag. The belligerence within the English tradition is still a fresh memory and for some people the national flag is associated with football violence.
We need to find a way to overcome that reticence and repossess the symbols of what it means to be English. St George's Day can help us do that if we can make it less inward looking and more like St Patrick's Day where everyone can be Irish for the day, wherever they come from.
What we lack is a confidence, not so much about who we are, more about whether it's okay to celebrate being English. We need to stop being embarrassed about our home and find a way to celebrate the things about it that we love - both to respect the locals and to build bridges with newcomers.
Multiculturalism isn't about celebrating everybody's culture but our own. We have to be present, not least because as hosts we provide the framework for our diversity to flourish. If you accept the idea that national identity is personal, then it is down to each of us to find something to celebrate on April 23. Let those people who feel strongly about the traditional ideas, celebrate them in their traditional way. Let others find aspects of Englishness they feel comfortable with.
My hunch is that Englishness has more to do with space rather than race - and by having a day when we can celebrate the things that make us feel we belong, we can begin to reclaim our identity from those who would use our flag to intimidate and divide.
Article history
About this articleClose This article appeared in the Guardian on Wednesday April 23 2008 on p9 of the UK news section. It was last updated at 10:01 on April 23 2008. The notion of a patriotic celebration of St George's Day is something that many English people feel ambiguous about, owing to the historical connotations that it carries. For a long time we've flown the union flag rather than the flag of Saint George - but a mixture of a greater confidence in Scotland and the recent influx of immigrants has put the English identity back on the agenda. It is possible for St George's Day to become a celebration, but whether or not it can become a national day in the way the Americans have, I very much doubt; we just wouldn't feel comfortable with a day when we have all got to salute the flag. The belligerence within the English tradition is still a fresh memory and for some people the national flag is associated with football violence.
We need to find a way to overcome that reticence and repossess the symbols of what it means to be English. St George's Day can help us do that if we can make it less inward looking and more like St Patrick's Day where everyone can be Irish for the day, wherever they come from.
What we lack is a confidence, not so much about who we are, more about whether it's okay to celebrate being English. We need to stop being embarrassed about our home and find a way to celebrate the things about it that we love - both to respect the locals and to build bridges with newcomers.
Multiculturalism isn't about celebrating everybody's culture but our own. We have to be present, not least because as hosts we provide the framework for our diversity to flourish. If you accept the idea that national identity is personal, then it is down to each of us to find something to celebrate on April 23. Let those people who feel strongly about the traditional ideas, celebrate them in their traditional way. Let others find aspects of Englishness they feel comfortable with.
My hunch is that Englishness has more to do with space rather than race - and by having a day when we can celebrate the things that make us feel we belong, we can begin to reclaim our identity from those who would use our flag to intimidate and divide.
Lady Bracknell
Handbag at Dawn
I can't help thinking that it'd be far better if people just got on with celebrating St. George's Day instead of pessimistically drumming up imaginary reasons for why this mightn't be allowed. That way the event can be reclaimed from those with the genuinely dodgy agenda to pursue. But I also agree with Row Z about not wanting to see a St. Paddy's Day in the UK sort of binfest made of it.
Barrel of Fun
Abort, retry, fail
Or the slogan painted across it saying "Two World Wars and one World Cup" sent her over the edge?
Row Z Creased Shirt
New member
And for those who were under the impression that St Georges Day celebrations are BANNED in this country, read on...
Here comes the knight: on April 23 Englishness is bursting out all over | UK news | The Guardian
Here comes the knight: on April 23 Englishness is bursting out all over | UK news | The Guardian
rrruss
Wandering Seagull
It is actually a public holiday here in Rio de Janeiro. The beach was absolutely packed this morning!
I'm donning my Palookaville shirt and going to the Maracana to see Flamengo v Bolonhesi in the Copa Libertadores. Next stop Withdean 10 days later!
Russ
I'm donning my Palookaville shirt and going to the Maracana to see Flamengo v Bolonhesi in the Copa Libertadores. Next stop Withdean 10 days later!
Russ
doesn't make sense though. whats a st georges cross got to do with her granddad getting shot down in the war?
you should start playing the theme tune to the dam busters........then tell em to fook off.
Lord Bracknell
On fire
The interesting thing about these three events is that the flag of England is noticeably missing from them. Even World Cup Willie wore a Union Jack.
dougdeep
New member
I am celebrating with a couple of cans of Bombardier.
footychick
Nicola
My grandad was shot down over the sea too by a german plane.
Doesn't make me hate germans though.
Barrel of Fun
Abort, retry, fail
That is because it was probably my Grandfather. He was a gunner for the British Army, based at the White Cliffs of Dover during WWII, but like a drink or three.
