Last night at the Proms

[anotheoldgit]

Why do some find the need to wave their Pink Union Flags at the Proms?

However It was good to see that apart from this and thanks to such occasions as the Proms, we still have small chunks of English heritage left, in the ever increasing quest to dilute our heritage in a multi cultural England.

[anotheoldgit]

boxtops

/// I thought the Britannia singer's get-up was a bit unnecessary,///

Agreed boxtops, it was cheap, tacky sand naff, like something that had been made up on Blue Peter.

[Philtaz]

I don't mind the pink Union Jacks one bit. I also don't mind all the flag waving and it's nice to see flags of other nations being flown with pride. Whilst the Proms is quintessentially a 'British' occasion it is important that it is not turned into a jingoistic parade.

After all, the love and appreciation of great music crosses all borders, boundaries, religions and cultures, doesn't it?

[Gromit]

Well said Philtaz

[rov1100]

Katherine Jenkins in Hyde Park must have been miffed to see a lonely St George flag flying during her singing.

[anotheoldgit]

I thought in that location (out in the open air) it was in that instance symbolically just enough.

To see it singly flying almost freely, as if from a yard-arm was perfect, this was England.

What a crowd in the park, never heard any reports from the police regarding any criminal activity thank goodness.

[THECORBYLOON]

"thanks to such occasions as the Proms, we still have small chunks of English heritage left" How English is it? There always seems to be a lot of foreign composers featured at the Proms Season, how many English ones featured this time?.

[boxtops]

AOG, I am glad we agree, I like your Blue Peter description!

[anotheoldgit]

THECORBYLOON

/// How English is it? There always seems to be a lot of foreign composers featured at the Proms Season, how many English ones featured this time?. ///

That is a rather silly comparison to make.

Of course there will be a number of foreign composers of classical music, it does not mean that the celebration of such things is not part of the English's heritage.

[THECORBYLOON]

You may think it's a silly comparison, yet you complain about a dlution of English heritage. If the heritage is so wonderful, how come there is all this foreign music being played at the Proms? Is that not another dilution?

[emmie]

Its not the music, we know there are lots of different composers, its the occasion, like Henley, Ascot, Wimbledon. And if people want to sing along with Rule Britannia with a gusto that smacks of jingoism, well so what.
The Scots do, as well as the Welsh and the Irish, proud of their heritage, so
what if the audience is made up of people of all nations, its the occasion, and many enjoy it.

[THECORBYLOON]

What makes it English?