The Kiwis adopted this British custom and celebrated this night with fireworks display. As I write this, I can hear the sounds of fireworks puncturing the silence of the night every now and then.
Honestly, I do not really know what is the significance of this day. Some people told me that it is to commemorate the foiling of Gunpowder Plot. Others told me it is to commemorate the guy called Guy Fawkes who took justice in his own hands and planned to bomb the English parliament and the nasty king. Which he failed, got caught and executed.
Back where I came from, we only put up fireworks display to celebrate something special like big festivals, New Year's Day and national day. Whereas over here, to commemorate a dead guy who failed to blow up the parliament with fireworks seems very odd to me... :-)
2 comments:
Remember, remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot!
Well both people are right. Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament protesting on behalf of Catholics who were being persecuted. Protestant areas celebrate foiling the plot by lighting bonfires and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes. Catholic areas commemorate his bravery (he was tortured and eventually executed).
The fireworks are a modern addition! (Although for more gruesomeness, look up the etymology of the Catherine Wheel firework!)
Whoa...that dramatic huh? Now I finally had an idea what this day is all about... ;)
Post a Comment