What a holiday is November 5th in England. Guy Fawkes Night in London (November 5) is the noisiest holiday

World history knows revolutionary scenarios with different outcomes. And not only Lenin, Che Guevara and Garibaldi stand at the pedestal of the revolution. And such people do not always become national heroes. Sometimes they celebrate not a victory, but a defeat, but they do it on a special scale. So what holiday on November 5 covers all of England with lights? This story begins with the name Guy Fawkes. Let's figure out who Guy Fawkes is and what Fireworks Day is based on.

The fire in London that never happened

At the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries in England there lived a nobleman who had a military background and significantly influenced the course of the history of the entire country, his name was Guy Fawkes. According to historical records, the man was one of the participants in the Gunpowder Plot. And the action was planned as a method of a coup d'état.

In 1605 in London, a group of Catholics gathered to prepare to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Not satisfied with the work of the reigning King James I, the conspirators wanted the monarch and the entire government sitting there to die under the rubble. However, everything did not work out in the most successful way.

As in any cliched conspiracy story, there was a traitor among the protest team. One who deviated from the ideas of the team warned one of the ministers in writing. The text stated that a group of Catholics in the dungeons of Parliament were collecting huge barrels of gunpowder, which would be exploded at the moment when the king proclaimed his speech from the throne. The informed minister passed on all the information received to the royal entourage. And on the night of November 5, Guy Fawkes was caught in the dungeon. No, he was not the initiator or coordinator of this large-scale protest. It so happened that of the entire group, it was Fox who was the best at handling gunpowder and flammable substances. Therefore, it was he who was entrusted with lighting the wicks and making sure that the fire plan came true.

From the dungeon, Guy Fawkes was taken to the chambers of James I himself. During a short interrogation, the monarch learned that the conspirators were allegedly guided by the instructions of the Pope himself. But there is still no official confirmation of this information. The only thing that is definitely known is Fox’s imprisonment in the famous London prison, the Tower. A few days later, the arrested man gave out the names of all his allies and signed a sincere confession. A few months later, all the accused were convicted of treason and executed in the city center.

Video - The Guy Fawkes Story

Who knows how noble or correct the Catholic idea was. But the English government did not recognize their full rights for a long time. And the day when Guy Fawkes was caught and neutralized was turned into a huge holiday. All the subjects, glad that the king was alive, went out into the street and lit bonfires.

When does the Guy Fawkes Festival start?

Every year on November 5th a holiday is held in honor of miraculous salvation monarch. The celebration is not included in the list of state celebrations, but is an integral part of local culture.

On October 21, 1605, Parliament adopted an official decree and authorized all these fires, burnings and other actions. But already in the second half of the 19th century, the decree was canceled, but all the locals were already accustomed to celebrating the holiday on November 5th. So traditional “rites” are carried out to this day.

It is worth noting that not all English people are supporters and admirers of this annual fire show. Some residents of the country side with the revolutionary and consider it blasphemy to burn his effigy in central squares. Others even call Guy Fawkes a poser and an average villain unworthy of attention. But, one way or another, Fireworks Night is one of the strangest, but literally brightest events in England.

How is Guy Fawkes Night going?

No matter how controversial this holiday may seem, its organization is approached with enthusiasm and scrupulousness. A few days before it, you can meet children and teenagers on the streets begging passers-by for “coins for Guy.” A certain amount does not exist, but it is not considered begging either. All the money collected will then be spent on firecrackers and small fireworks, which the children will be able to buy according to their age.

Despite the fact that formally the holiday is considered a night holiday, during the day in parks and on central streets costume performances, fairs and competitions are organized. On stages, actors from local drama clubs reenact historical events, and sometimes costume competitions are held.

In the evening, with the onset of twilight, processions with crosses and effigies begin in large cities. Everything is accompanied by fire and often parade participants dress in medieval costumes. One more attribute appearance– black ashy stripes on the face. Most often they are applied to the cheeks of children, but adults do not disdain such attributes.

The British make the stuffed animals that represent Guy Fawkes themselves or buy them in stores. Some celebrants even manage to give an impressive resemblance to a real historical prototype. The effigy is burned in the central square. And the holiday itself ends with a grandiose fireworks display accompanied by shouts and applause from the crowd.

And those who do not like or do not want to be part of the “burning crowd” light a fire in the courtyard of the house. Fire as such plays the most central and significant role. Therefore, sometimes it is metaphorically translated to other household items. So, for example, for guests to festive dinner preparing cookies. Some pieces add red pepper, garlic or chili - the fire is not only burning outside.

Modern history of Guy Fawkes

By the way, for those who know about Guy Fawkes only from the black mustache on his white face or from the film “V for Vendetta”. The Guy Fawkes mask or the mask of the character from the film Vendetta is artwork comic book of the same name. In the 80s, artist David Lloyd created this “face” solely for a fictional story. Transformed to modern realities, the franchise fell in love with consumers. In 2005, the comic was filmed and received by audiences with overwhelming success.

Today's youth are better known for Guy Fawkes through Internet memes. The Anonymous mask has become a symbol of those protesting against the existing order in anything. It became most widespread after the Occupation of Wall Street, a protest in the stock exchange district of New York. In world culture, the image of Guy Fawkes has acquired meaning - a desperate revolutionary and freedom fighter. This message is slightly different from the idea of ​​the holiday taking place in England, but it also has a right to exist.

The brightest bonfire night is in London

Since both the explosion and the fire were supposed to take place in London, the biggest celebrations take place here. Despite the fact that not only England, but also its colonies, in particular in New Zealand, the Caribbean and Australia, celebrates Guy Fawkes Day, the most interesting thing is in the capital.

Noisy festivities take place on Parliament Hill, and you can see enough theatrical processions here for years to come. This place was not chosen by Londoners by chance - it was from here that Guy Fawkes planned to watch the Houses of Parliament explode and burn. Of course, you won’t see the fire itself, but the fireworks are perfectly visible from here!

Video - Bonfire, fireworks and Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated in London on November 5

It is very interesting to watch how a group of people in the form of soldiers seriously scour the dungeons to find the revolutionary and save the king. At the same time, the first explosions of firecrackers can already be heard in the area. If you have sensitive hearing, stock up on earplugs, because screams and explosions do not subside in London until dawn.

Citizens dressed in costumes carry stuffed Guy Fawkes. different sizes. Also in this crowd you can even see burning crosses, which gives the spectacle a slightly eerie medieval turn. The entire crowd, accompanied by joyful cries and the cracking of firecrackers, converges on the central bonfire not far from the Parliament. Here the most is burned big scarecrow Fox. Dancing around the fire local residents, and children, smeared with soot, throw paper and small firecrackers into the fire. The crowning achievement is the large, colorful and legendary fireworks display in London.

Remark for the tourist

Ukrainians planning to attend Guy Fawkes Night anywhere in the UK need a tourist visa. It is issued at the country's embassy for a period of up to 6 months without the right of permanent residence. Despite all the enchantment and mystery of the celebration, Bonfire Night is not particularly popular among tourists, so getting to London is not difficult.

Air tickets and hotel reservations are widely available. You can fly to London from Kyiv for about 4-5 thousand hryvnia, either on a direct flight or with a transfer. Hotel reservations in the fall of 2017 will cost approximately 2,500 - 4,000 hryvnia. There are options both cheaper and more expensive, it all depends on the capabilities. Don’t lose sight of the fact that this is still the capital, so tourists are welcome here at any time. You can also look for options among tour packages - some agencies organize group trips to the Night of Fireworks.

But you should sort out booking tickets for the holiday itself in advance, since here you will have to compete with the locals. The fact is that in the central areas of the holiday, places are booked in advance. For example, often major events such as performances, exhibitions and refreshments take place in Battersea Park. And tickets are issued there, so check out the official website of the park. Also, if you want to spend the holiday not outside by the fire, but somewhere in a pub, then it is advisable to book a table a couple of days before the holiday.

As practice shows, English holidays are not only about honoring Her Majesty and humble reading by the fireplace. The British have a rich history and, not unimportantly, an original approach to it. This is exactly what Guy Fawkes Night or Fireworks Day testifies to, which with all its contradictions is definitely worthy of attention.

This strange, but fully reflecting the English traditions of the holiday, has many names - Guy Fawkes Night in London(or rather, the day, Guy Fawkes' day), aka - Bonfire Night(pronounced Bonfire Knight). Official date Guy Fawkes Night - November 5.

What kind of day is this and why the words “ Remember, remember, the fifth of November"? Moreover, until 1959, citizens were practically officially obliged to take part in the festivities on this date.

The story is like this. In 1605 a certain Guy Fawkes was determined blow up using barrels of gunpowder, the building of Parliament, and along with it King James I, who was supposed to give a speech there at that time. Guy Fawkes was tasked with lighting the fuse by a group of conspirators, although he was not the head of the conspiracy.

Causes this intention is interpreted in different ways. The official (Anglican) authorities see this as “terrorism and an attempt on the crown”, respectively preventing “ gunpowder plot“from their point of view, this is a great national feat.
However, pro-Catholic-minded citizens are of the opinion that Guy Fawkes wanted in such a loud way to draw public attention to the incredible repression to which the “papists” were subjected by adherents of the Anglican Church. However, the complex religious relations of England with Catholic countries (including Ireland) are known to almost everyone.

Over the centuries, the religious background has faded a bit (which, of course, is for the best), but the celebration has only gained momentum: Guy Fawkes Night is considered the noisiest English holiday.
Traditions are invariably respected: it all begins with the employees searching all the dungeons in order to detect conspirators in black clothes. And then every self-respecting Londoner considers himself simply obliged set off fireworks or firecrackers, shoot into the sky from the weapon he has (remember the second name - Bonfire Night). Well, if there is nothing shooting at hand, then at least support others with shouts and applause.

Celebrating Bonfire Night one on the night of November 5 I am not limited. The first “sighting” fireworks appear already in the last days of October and do not stop at least until the Sunday after November 5th. On the Saturday closest to the holiday, costume shows are often held in London parks.

On Guy Fawkes night in London, several million pounds worth of fireworks and firecrackers fly into the air - the roar is terrible. Bonfires are lit in London squares, in which an effigy of a “terrorist” is symbolically burned (but sometimes, unfortunately, an effigy of the Pope).

Many children are often present at night festivities of various ages. Therefore, if you find yourself with a child, then plan your time to look at this noisy European Bonfire Night (so that the child can walk for a long time - plan a day’s rest in advance). Don't forget to dress warmly - the weather can be unpredictable - and go to the nearest square where people are having fun. You still won’t be able to fall asleep in such noise...

P.S. A little linguistics: if you are familiar with the English language, then famous word « guy", meaning "guy", "young man", just came from the name of the hero of this holiday, and became a household word.

Despite the image of prim ladies and gentlemen that has developed in the world, the British also love to relax and celebrate their National holidays. Getting to know the culture and history of the country of Elizabeth II, as well as understanding the mentality of the royal nation, is impossible without British celebrations. Let's look at the main ones. We are ready. Are you?

Initially, UK public holidays and public holidays should be separated. Not every festival will be a day off, and not every day off will be a holiday. By the way, in Russia there are also a number of celebrations that we celebrate with pleasure, although the state does not allow us to take a break from work.

Bank holidays in Britain are called Bank holidays, because neither banks nor other official bodies work these days:

Northern Ireland has two additional holidays per year: St. Patrick's Day(March 17) - St. Patrick's Day and " Battle of the Boyne» Celebration(July 12) - Anniversary of the momentous Battle of the Boyne. The Scots rest for 2 days in honor of the New Year (January 1-2) and have an additional day off in honor of St. Andrew's Day ( St. Andrew's Day) November 30th, who is their patron saint.

No less significant are other holidays in the UK, which, however, require presence at the workplace:

TABLE OF UK HOLIDAYS

WHEN	NAME	A COUNTRY KINGDOMS
The 25th of January	Burns Night Burns Night	Scotland
The 14th of February	Valentine's Day St. Valentine's Day	The whole state
March 1	Saint David's Day St. David's Day	Wales
4th Sunday Lent	Mothers Day Mother's Day/Mothering Sunday	The whole state
April 1	Fool's Day Fool's Day/April Fools Day	The whole state
April 1	Fool's Day Fool's Day/April Fools Day	The whole state
April 23	St. George's Day St. George's Day	England
1st of May	Beltane Beltane/Beltain	Scotland, Ireland
1st, 2nd or 3rd Saturday June	Queen's Birthday Queen's Official Birthday	The whole state
3rd Sunday of June	Father's Day Father's Day	The whole state
August 1-8	Eisteddfod Eisteddfod	Wales
August 1-25	Edinburgh Fringe Festival Edinburgh Festival Fringe	The whole state
Last weekend of August	Notting Hill Carnival Notting Hill Carnival	The whole state
October 31	Halloween Halloween	The whole state
November 5	Bonfire Night Bonfire's Night	The whole state
11th of November	Day of Remembrance Remembrance Day	The whole state
November 30th	St. Andrew's Day St. Andrew's Day	Scotland
December 25	Christmas Christmas or Xmas	The whole state
December 26	Boxing Day Boxing Day	The whole state

Read more about holidays in England

Holidays such as Christmas, April Fool's Day or Halloween in the UK have become widespread in the CIS countries. But let's take a closer look at those English holidays that have no analogues in the post-Soviet space.

• Burns Night- anniversary of the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Scottish culture blooms in all its colors on this day: men dress in traditional checkered kilts, the sounds of bagpipes are heard, and festive table You can also try National dish from lamb offal with lard, onions and seasonings, cooked in a lamb stomach - haggies.

• Queen's Birthday(monarch) - according to documents, Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926, but since the mid-18th century it has been customary to celebrate the ruler’s name day separately from present date birth. Since the beginning of the 20th century, this day has been celebrated in June so that the warm summer hours, which are rare for Foggy Albion, do not go to waste. Traditionally, such holidays in London are accompanied by a military parade, which is always attended by the royal family.

• Beltane- a holiday of fire, light and the beginning of summer. Beltane's second name is Walpurgis Night. It is customary to light fires and jump over them to undergo purification. Those who have livestock spend it between lit fires and animals.
• Eistetvod and Fringe- the largest festivals of songs, dances and other arts in Europe. These days, representatives of a wide variety of nationalities come to Edinburgh to perform on one of the many open-air stages.
• Bonfire Night celebrated in honor of not the most rosy event in British history. In 1605, on the night of November 5th, Guy Fawkes (leader of the Gunpowder Plot) tried to blow up the London House of Parliament in order to destroy King James I. The reason for the disagreement was religion, since James I was a Protestant, and the members of the Gunpowder Plot were Catholics who wanted to see the power of only a Catholic monarch. Fortunately, the explosion of the powder barrels in the basement was prevented, Guy Fawkes was captured and executed, and after that, every November 5th, the people of Great Britain organize a large-scale fireworks display and burn an effigy symbolizing Guy Fawkes.

• IN Remembrance Day in the UK honor the memory of soldiers who died in the First World War. The symbol of the holiday is a red poppy, which is threaded into the buttonhole of a jacket. Poppy petals bloom on the chest, symbolizing wounds received in battle. John McCrae, a Canadian physician and poet, celebrated the beauty of this flower and its connection to warfare in his poem "In Flanders Fields." On this day, it is customary to lay flowers at military monuments, and at 11 o’clock on November 11, in many Commonwealth countries it is customary to observe a minute of silence.

Christmas for the British is more important holiday, how New Year. It is celebrated on November 25th Catholic traditions related to the difference between Gregorian and church calendars. People carefully prepare for this day: they decorate houses, decorate the Christmas tree, and select gifts for family and friends. It is customary to hold night services in churches, as well as theatrical performances on religious topics.

St. Valentine's Day or Valentine's Day is already firmly rooted in our community. Traditionally, on the Day of Love, February 14, it is customary to send cards in the shape of hearts - Valentine's cards, as well as secretly confess your feelings. According to legend, St. Valentin was an ordinary priest and field doctor who secretly married lovers in cruel war times. The fact is that the government believed that a single man would fight better on the battlefield, since his heart would not be drawn home to his family, his beloved wife and children. Therefore, military personnel were forbidden to marry. And Saint Valentine, sympathizing with the young people, tied them in marriage, for which he was captured and imprisoned. There he met the warden's daughter and fell in love with her, but could not admit his feelings. When the time for execution approached, Valentin decided to confess and wrote to his beloved love letter, which she read after the execution on February 14, 269.

Halloween initially celebrated not for the sake of collecting candy and scary costumes. Historically, the holiday is based on the Celtic rite of Samhain and Christian Day all saints It is on October 31, according to popular belief, that the line between our world and the other world becomes especially thin. This allows creatures from the afterlife to penetrate us and drag away the living with them. To prevent spirits from touching them, the Celts wore scary masks and extinguished the lights in the homes, which attracted ghosts. Nowadays, costume parties are more entertaining in nature, and children “carol” around the neighbors, begging for sweets with the words “trick or treat.” If you don’t treat the restless little ones with sweets, they may well play a prank and throw the house toilet paper, hide garden gnomes or stain the railings with molasses.

Conclusion

Some of English holidays very similar to ours. For example, New Year, Christmas or Easter. Others vaguely resemble our celebrations, but are based on completely different historical events(compare English Bonfire Night and our Maslenitsa). The British also have their own traditions that have no analogues in our culture.

Study the rituals and traditions of Great Britain using our website, or even better, go to England and see everything with your own eyes!

Happy upcoming holidays and celebrations!

Big and Friendly family EnglishDom

All English schoolchildren know this rhyme well:

November, day five.

Treason damned

Gunpowder began to serve as fire.

And remembering all this, I

I don’t recommend forgetting

That gunpowder plot.

The whole country traditionally celebrates the discovery of the “gunpowder plot” on November 5th. However, the likelihood that this date can be forgotten in England is very small: even if someone decides to take a nap, the deafening and piercing sounds of fireworks will quickly wake him up. The British begin to prepare for the holiday in advance, stocking up in stores with a variety of pyrotechnic shells. Already from mid-October, with the onset of darkness, multi-colored pyrotechnic rockets begin to take off in gardens and parks. This is the dress rehearsal for the favorite holiday of English boys - Guy Fawkes Night.

This strange, but fully reflecting the English traditions of the holiday, has many names - Guy Fawkes Night (or rather, the day, Guy Fawkes "day), also known as Bonfire Night. The official date of Guy Fawkes Night is November 5 This holiday has been celebrated for over 400 years.

What kind of day is this and why were the words passed down from generation to generation as a slogan: “Remember, remember, the fifth of November”? Moreover, until 1959, citizens were practically officially obliged to take part in the festivities on this date.

The story is like this. Since the 30s of the 16th century, the issue of faith has been quite complex for Great Britain. Problems in this area began with Henry VIII, who declared himself head English Church in order to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, since the Pope refused his request for political reasons. Since the 4th century AD, Great Britain was a Catholic country; thanks to Henry, it became Protestant. After Henry's death, his first daughter Mary ascended the throne. She was an ardent Catholic and mercilessly burned Protestants at the stake, for which she received the nickname Bloody Mary. But with her death, the throne passed to Henry's second daughter, Elizabeth. She, on the contrary, was a Protestant. The country was drenched in blood due to disagreements in matters of faith, and in order to preserve the integrity of the state, Elizabeth had to accept complex solutions. As a result of her reforms, the monarch became the head of the Anglican Church, whose religion was Protestantism. Catholics who ruled the country for a long time, were angry about these changes. The Pope declared Elizabeth a heretic and her murder a holy act.

In 1603, with the death of Elizabeth I, the “golden age of England”, which lasted 45 years, ended. When English Catholics learned that the deceased queen would be replaced on the throne by the Scottish King James I, the son of Mary Stuart, who was executed 15 years earlier on the orders of Elizabeth, they took heart. Jacob was known for his tolerance of their faith and was even married to the Catholic Queen Anne of Denmark. At first, Jacob really showed loyalty to the Catholics, but after he was informed about their conspiracy against him, he returned to the order established by Elizabeth. Catholic priests and Jesuits were expelled from churches, and Catholics were forced to attend Anglican religious services.

After this, the Catholics decided that they did not need such a sovereign on the throne. And they began to look for ways to eliminate it. In 1604 they organized a conspiracy, which was called “Porokhov”. Its initiator was the ardent Catholic Robert Catesby. His father went to prison for harboring a priest, and Robert himself dropped out of university only so as not to take the Protestant oath.

It was not enough for the conspirators to simply kill the king; they wanted to send him to the next world with such a roar that all of England would shake, and the people would awaken from their sleep and overthrow the power of the Protestants. They decided to blow up the English Parliament building along with members of both houses and King James I Stuart.

The king was supposed to attend the opening of the parliamentary session along with Queen Anne and his eldest son, Prince Henry, who, according to the conspirators, were to die with him. After the death of Jacob, it was assumed that the murder of the king's second son. The conspirators planned to declare the king's infant daughter, Princess Elizabeth, queen and rule in her name.

The plan turned out to be grandiose, and a key role in it was given to a native of York, Guy Fawkes, who gained military experience while serving in the Spanish army that fought in Flanders, and was the only one of the company who knew how to handle gunpowder. To carry out the explosion, they purchased 36 barrels of gunpowder and stored them in the basement under the House of Lords.

The conspirators prepared carefully for the assassination attempt. They rented Vinegre House, adjacent to the part of Westminster where the House of Lords was located, and where the opening of the parliamentary session was to take place. From Vinegre House they planned to dig a tunnel into the abandoned basement of Westminster. Then, from the London district of Lambeth, they managed to transport 36 kegs of gunpowder, purchased in Holland, along the Thames and hide in the basement. Total weight The powder charge was about a ton, this would have been enough not only to destroy all the parliament buildings to the ground, but also to thoroughly shake the area. It is unlikely that a single window would have survived within a half-mile radius.

In parallel with the preparation of the terrorist attack, preparations for the rebellion were also carried out. Guy Fawkes traveled to Flanders to seek support from the Catholics there. And Catesby negotiated with the aristocrats. As the number of people aware of the conspiracy grew, so did the risk of its discovery.

On October 26, Lord Monteagle received an anonymous letter informing him that Catholics were planning to blow up Parliament during the session of November 5, 1605. Monteagle was a Catholic, and one of his fellow believers decided to save his life. And the lord decided to save the lives of his fellow parliamentarians and the king. He showed the letter to Secretary of State Robert Cecil, and he showed it to King James I. It was decided to keep the information secret in order to catch the attackers red-handed.

The conspirators learned about the letter. True, they did not know whether Lord Monteagle told anyone about him. Guy Fawkes made his way into the cellar under Parliament and discovered that all the gunpowder remained untouched under the firewood with which it was disguised. After this, the conspirators decided not to cancel the coup operation.

The decisive hour was approaching. On the night of November 4-5, Guy Fawkes again went to the basement, prepared the fuse that led to the kegs of gunpowder, and headed outside. Before he could get out, he was attacked by people waiting in ambush, led by Magistrate Nivet. A bunch of matches and a bundle of tinder were found on Fox - evidence too obvious to deny.

If you had captured me inside,” said Guy Fawkes, “I would have blown you up, myself, and the whole building.”

By order of Nivet, the barrels of gunpowder were neutralized. Residents of the streets adjacent to Westminster, having learned the danger that threatened their homes, began to celebrate their salvation on the night the conspiracy was revealed. They lit bonfires in the streets, and someone made the first effigy of Guy Fawkes.

And the conspirators, having learned that their plan had failed, began to hastily leave the capital. But ironically, their “gunpowder plot” turned into “gunpowder death.” During a short stop at the house of one of the conspirators, Lythiton, in Staffordshire, they decided to dry the gunpowder that they had gotten wet while crossing the river. The falling spark ignited the whole bag, which exploded with a terrible roar. Those who survived the explosion fled. However, they were overtaken by the county sheriff's posse. Active participants in the conspiracy were brutally executed.

Guy Fawkes revealed both his accomplices and the details of the conspiracy. The text of his confession, with a signature that is illegible and uneven due to the use of torture, is still stored in the National Archives of Great Britain.

And the worst thing that happened after the failure of the conspiracy was that on January 21, 1606, Parliament introduced additional restrictions on the rights of Catholics.

The reasons for this intention are interpreted differently. The official (Anglican) authorities see this as “terrorism and an attempt on the crown”; accordingly, preventing the “gunpowder plot” from their point of view is a great national feat.

Over the centuries, the religious background has faded a bit (which, of course, is for the better), but the celebration has only gained momentum: Guy Fawkes Night is considered the noisiest English holiday.

Traditions are invariably respected: it all begins with the employees searching all the dungeons in order to detect conspirators in black clothes. And then every self-respecting Londoner considers himself simply obliged to set off fireworks or firecrackers, shoot into the sky from the weapon he has (remember the second name - Bonfire Night). Well, if there is nothing shooting at hand, then at least support others with shouts and applause.

The Bonfire Night celebration is not limited to one night on November 5th. The first “sighting” fireworks appear already in the last days of October and do not stop at least until the Sunday after November 5th. On the Saturday closest to the holiday, costume shows are often held in London parks.

On Guy Fawkes night in London, several million pounds worth of fireworks and firecrackers fly into the air - the roar is terrible. Bonfires are lit in London squares, in which an effigy of a “terrorist” is symbolically burned (but sometimes, unfortunately, an effigy of the Pope), and burning tar barrels are carried through the streets.

In England, at Bonfire Night it is customary to invite guests to a festive dinner, where the highlight of the program is the burning of an effigy of Guy Fawkes. All guests go out to the site, set off firecrackers, set fire to a scarecrow, light a fire and have a nice conversation with each other. Traditionally, bangers and mash are prepared on bonfire - mashed potatoes with thick sausages fried on the grill. Traditionally on November 5th, mashed potatoes are prepared with thick English sausages fried on the grill, and potatoes are baked in coals and eaten with a pinch of salt. There is another dish for Guy Fawkes Day - barbecue chicken legs served with coleslaw cabbage and carrot salad, dressed with mayonnaise, and for dessert, toffee apples with toffee syrup. Children paint their faces with charcoal “for camouflage” and happily run around the fire, unaware of the real purpose of this holiday.

P.S. A bit of linguistics: the word “guy” meaning “guy”, “young man” in English language, which just happened on behalf of the hero of this holiday, became a household name.

Although you will be offered to feast on not only apples, but first things first. Apple Day is British holiday, which has become a good tradition since 1990. Initiator of Apple Day - Charitable organization Common Ground.

The official day of Apple Day is historically considered October 21, but it is celebrated until November by various organizers (and families) in different days. Celebration programs also differ among different organizers. The main thing is a sea of ​​apples, hundreds of different varieties, with tasting, purchase of fruits and seedlings, lectures on the topic of caring for apple trees and the benefits of apples in general (remember - “whoever eats one apple a day does not see a doctor”?). And, of course, guests of the holiday will be offered a whole apple menu - hot dishes, salads, desserts, drinks (the cider alone is worth it!) and other apple goodies.

In general, visiting here is very educational. Firstly, there is an opportunity to try varieties of apples that you would never buy in a store or market. They will tell you a story (or legend) about each variety. Gardeners will receive the most comprehensive advice on the fight against apple diseases and how to care for trees of different varieties.

Entertainment events at the holiday are also associated with apples - archery at apple targets is usually offered, the most various competitions, apple carving (carving apples, like carving pumpkins - with carving toothy smiles). And also - cutting the apple skin as a competition (for the longest). The apple is peeled in a spiral, trying to make the trimmed strip narrower and, therefore, longer. Today there is even a record recorded - 10 meters 66 centimeters (2006). And the record-breaking longest continuous strip of apple (peel and pulp) was cut in 1976 by Katie Wolfer - 52 meters 51 centimeters, she worked on the apple for more than 11 hours!

All in all, different cities, villages, farms, schools, supermarkets and other organizations set aside their own autumn day for Apple Day and celebrate according to their own scenario. We can say that this is a day of health (a sea of ​​vitamins and good mood).

Guy Fawkes Day is one of the biggest holidays in Great Britain. It is more correct to call it Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night, because it is celebrated on the night of November 4-5, the fifth night after Halloween. Last year we talked about the history and traditions of this unusual British festival, and this year we will talk about how best to celebrate it if you find yourself in London in early November.

On the evening of November 4, fireworks and fireworks displays are launched in London. The best place to watch them is on Parliament Hill - it was from this place that Guy Fawkes wanted to watch the Parliament building burn. You can take firecrackers or fireworks with you - many Londoners do this. And if you don’t have anything with you, then participation in the holiday is limited to shouting, encouraging and applauding. You may encounter children on the street asking for a “penny for Guy.” for the Guy) to buy firecrackers.

Be careful in the crowds during Guy Fawkes Night: it's large-scale event often ends in hospitalization for some participants. It is even advisable to take eye and ear protection with you - the celebration can be too stormy. They call it the noisiest English event. And be sure to follow safety precautions when using fireworks.

It's not just Parliament Hill where you can watch the fireworks on Guy Fawkes Night: fireworks displays take place all over London and beyond. This year, celebrations are expected in Wimbledon, in most of the capital's parks, and on the embankments. Please note that some places where fireworks are held have an entrance fee. For example, tickets for famous festival Fireworks at Alexandra Palace cost from 5 to 11 pounds in 2016.

Usually on the Saturday closest to November 5th, colorful costume shows are held in London parks.

This year, Guy Fawkes Night falls on Saturday, so the morning after the fireworks, you can take a walk in the nearest park and continue exploring English traditions. Also on November 5, London hosts concerts, music shows, festivals and others interesting events in nightclubs.