Remember, remember the fifth of November

Gunpowder, treason and plot…

Tonight is Great Britain’s Bonfire night, known as Guy Fawkes Night – but did you know about other Bonfire Nights around the world?

In  South Africa along with many other Commonwealth countries, Bonfire night is also celebrated on the 5^th November and is similar to the British Bonfire Night.

In Northern Ireland many Protest and loyalist and unionist communities celebrate Eleventh Night with bonfires and fireworks; this is celebrated on the night of the 11^th July to commemorate the Battle of the Boyne.

The Czech Republic celebrate pálení čarodějnic (“burning of the witches”) on the 30^th April as a ceremonial end to the winter by burning straw witches on bonfires.

However, in Estonia celebrations of Volbriöö on 30^th April and into the early hours of 1^st May – which is Spring Day – often include dressing up as witches rather than burning them.

Walpurgis Night (Walpurgisnacht) is a spring festival usually celebrated on the 30^th April or 1^st May in Scandinavian countries, and often includes festivals, street parties, dancing and bonfires. In fact, Walpurgis day (Vappu) is one of the biggest holidays in Finland, rated amongst Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and Midsummer (Juhannus).

So for those of you in Britain have a good Guy Fawkes Night and enjoy the fireworks!

Morgan Wilde