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"Nothing more than a snapshot observation in this post ........ so not assuming the same everywhere. Living in a city centre I have seen absolutely no celebration of VE Day, why? I assume because the residents of the city are relatively young and multi-racial (i.e have minimal if any reference to WW2). Yet speaking to friends beyond the centre (e.g. suburbs and semi-rural locations) street parties, flags and bunting abound, why? I suspect it’s based on retired population numbers and lower integration of cultures. So, whilst just an observation local to myself I would be interested to know if anyone else has seen similar elsewhere?" You do realise ww2 was global war conflict it affected every nation And britian used its subjects from every corner of its empire to fight its side whether they were white black brown or yellow. As it did in ww1. The reason its not being celebrated is because public gathering are banned. It doesn't matter the event or what cultural reference it is. They shouldn't be happening. Period. | |||
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"Nothing more than a snapshot observation in this post ........ so not assuming the same everywhere. Living in a city centre I have seen absolutely no celebration of VE Day, why? I assume because the residents of the city are relatively young and multi-racial (i.e have minimal if any reference to WW2). Yet speaking to friends beyond the centre (e.g. suburbs and semi-rural locations) street parties, flags and bunting abound, why? I suspect it’s based on retired population numbers and lower integration of cultures. So, whilst just an observation local to myself I would be interested to know if anyone else has seen similar elsewhere?" Seen a few people out here and there by ours. Seems to be more of an excuse for a piss up than anything else. | |||
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"Nothing more than a snapshot observation in this post ........ so not assuming the same everywhere. Living in a city centre I have seen absolutely no celebration of VE Day, why? I assume because the residents of the city are relatively young and multi-racial (i.e have minimal if any reference to WW2). Yet speaking to friends beyond the centre (e.g. suburbs and semi-rural locations) street parties, flags and bunting abound, why? I suspect it’s based on retired population numbers and lower integration of cultures. So, whilst just an observation local to myself I would be interested to know if anyone else has seen similar elsewhere? You do realise ww2 was global war conflict it affected every nation And britian used its subjects from every corner of its empire to fight its side whether they were white black brown or yellow. As it did in ww1. The reason its not being celebrated is because public gathering are banned. It doesn't matter the event or what cultural reference it is. They shouldn't be happening. Period. " Erm.... | |||
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"Just re-establishing the purpose of this post ..... City centre no VE Day celebrations versus suburbs and semi-rural areas plenty of celebrations. Q. Has anyone experienced similar wherever you are?" I'm in a rural area and by contrast the bigger towns seem to have less going on than we do. X | |||
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"Just re-establishing the purpose of this post ..... City centre no VE Day celebrations versus suburbs and semi-rural areas plenty of celebrations. Q. Has anyone experienced similar wherever you are?I'm in a rural area and by contrast the bigger towns seem to have less going on than we do. X " Thank you v much | |||
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"Nothing more than a snapshot observation in this post ........ so not assuming the same everywhere. Living in a city centre I have seen absolutely no celebration of VE Day, why? I assume because the residents of the city are relatively young and multi-racial (i.e have minimal if any reference to WW2). Yet speaking to friends beyond the centre (e.g. suburbs and semi-rural locations) street parties, flags and bunting abound, why? I suspect it’s based on retired population numbers and lower integration of cultures. So, whilst just an observation local to myself I would be interested to know if anyone else has seen similar elsewhere?" I think your queston's interesting but is about more than just dmeographics. The very notion of it being a celebration is revolting. I know we have to suffer the nauseating stupidity of the two world wars and one world cup neantherdals, but the fact that as a nation we seem unable to tell the difference between celebration and commemoration is terrifying. Tens of millions of people died in world war two. Some were undisputed heroes. Many of them died doing what they thought was right - even as their leaders pursued tactics that were obviously wrong. Millions of them died because of their race, their religion, or who they preferred to sleep with, in circumstances where heroism made not a shred of difference. Celebrate? Fuck that for a game of soldiers. Let's commemorate them all, the heroes, the cowards, the geniuses and the cannon fodder, the long, the short and the tall - let's bless them all, let's commemorate them, but let's heartily wish it had never needed to happen. The idea that there's some kind of excuse, on this anniversary, for turning those memories into some kind of cos play for gammons holding fucking garden parties to celebrate is revolting. Coming down from rantspace, maybe that's there's so much ambivalence about celebrating today. Come August even greater joys await us. Asking around who wants to celebrate Hiroshima and Nagasaki sounds to me like an undeegrad project to identify psychopaths. | |||
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"Nothing more than a snapshot observation in this post ........ so not assuming the same everywhere. Living in a city centre I have seen absolutely no celebration of VE Day, why? I assume because the residents of the city are relatively young and multi-racial (i.e have minimal if any reference to WW2). Yet speaking to friends beyond the centre (e.g. suburbs and semi-rural locations) street parties, flags and bunting abound, why? I suspect it’s based on retired population numbers and lower integration of cultures. So, whilst just an observation local to myself I would be interested to know if anyone else has seen similar elsewhere? You do realise ww2 was global war conflict it affected every nation And britian used its subjects from every corner of its empire to fight its side whether they were white black brown or yellow. As it did in ww1. The reason its not being celebrated is because public gathering are banned. It doesn't matter the event or what cultural reference it is. They shouldn't be happening. Period. " Thank you for taking the time to explain this. I like to remind some who forget the Commonwealth and the people of colour who fought in WORLD War Two, especially in and for this country. Happy VE day everyone x | |||
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"Just re-establishing the purpose of this post ..... City centre no VE Day celebrations versus suburbs and semi-rural areas plenty of celebrations. Q. Has anyone experienced similar wherever you are?" How far can you see..? Listening to Vera Lynn as I type but we are in a large village to be fair.. | |||
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"Nothing more than a snapshot observation in this post ........ so not assuming the same everywhere. Living in a city centre I have seen absolutely no celebration of VE Day, why? I assume because the residents of the city are relatively young and multi-racial (i.e have minimal if any reference to WW2). Yet speaking to friends beyond the centre (e.g. suburbs and semi-rural locations) street parties, flags and bunting abound, why? I suspect it’s based on retired population numbers and lower integration of cultures. So, whilst just an observation local to myself I would be interested to know if anyone else has seen similar elsewhere?I think your queston's interesting but is about more than just dmeographics. The very notion of it being a celebration is revolting. I know we have to suffer the nauseating stupidity of the two world wars and one world cup neantherdals, but the fact that as a nation we seem unable to tell the difference between celebration and commemoration is terrifying. Tens of millions of people died in world war two. Some were undisputed heroes. Many of them died doing what they thought was right - even as their leaders pursued tactics that were obviously wrong. Millions of them died because of their race, their religion, or who they preferred to sleep with, in circumstances where heroism made not a shred of difference. Celebrate? Fuck that for a game of soldiers. Let's commemorate them all, the heroes, the cowards, the geniuses and the cannon fodder, the long, the short and the tall - let's bless them all, let's commemorate them, but let's heartily wish it had never needed to happen. The idea that there's some kind of excuse, on this anniversary, for turning those memories into some kind of cos play for gammons holding fucking garden parties to celebrate is revolting. Coming down from rantspace, maybe that's there's so much ambivalence about celebrating today. Come August even greater joys await us. Asking around who wants to celebrate Hiroshima and Nagasaki sounds to me like an undeegrad project to identify psychopaths." Very thought provoking post | |||
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"Nothing more than a snapshot observation in this post ........ so not assuming the same everywhere. Living in a city centre I have seen absolutely no celebration of VE Day, why? I assume because the residents of the city are relatively young and multi-racial (i.e have minimal if any reference to WW2). Yet speaking to friends beyond the centre (e.g. suburbs and semi-rural locations) street parties, flags and bunting abound, why? I suspect it’s based on retired population numbers and lower integration of cultures. So, whilst just an observation local to myself I would be interested to know if anyone else has seen similar elsewhere?I think your queston's interesting but is about more than just dmeographics. The very notion of it being a celebration is revolting. I know we have to suffer the nauseating stupidity of the two world wars and one world cup neantherdals, but the fact that as a nation we seem unable to tell the difference between celebration and commemoration is terrifying. Tens of millions of people died in world war two. Some were undisputed heroes. Many of them died doing what they thought was right - even as their leaders pursued tactics that were obviously wrong. Millions of them died because of their race, their religion, or who they preferred to sleep with, in circumstances where heroism made not a shred of difference. Celebrate? Fuck that for a game of soldiers. Let's commemorate them all, the heroes, the cowards, the geniuses and the cannon fodder, the long, the short and the tall - let's bless them all, let's commemorate them, but let's heartily wish it had never needed to happen. The idea that there's some kind of excuse, on this anniversary, for turning those memories into some kind of cos play for gammons holding fucking garden parties to celebrate is revolting. Coming down from rantspace, maybe that's there's so much ambivalence about celebrating today. Come August even greater joys await us. Asking around who wants to celebrate Hiroshima and Nagasaki sounds to me like an undeegrad project to identify psychopaths. Very thought provoking post" It’s not really is it? It’s just another rant to try to appear controversial. | |||
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"Nothing more than a snapshot observation in this post ........ so not assuming the same everywhere. Living in a city centre I have seen absolutely no celebration of VE Day, why? I assume because the residents of the city are relatively young and multi-racial (i.e have minimal if any reference to WW2). Yet speaking to friends beyond the centre (e.g. suburbs and semi-rural locations) street parties, flags and bunting abound, why? I suspect it’s based on retired population numbers and lower integration of cultures. So, whilst just an observation local to myself I would be interested to know if anyone else has seen similar elsewhere?I think your queston's interesting but is about more than just dmeographics. The very notion of it being a celebration is revolting. I know we have to suffer the nauseating stupidity of the two world wars and one world cup neantherdals, but the fact that as a nation we seem unable to tell the difference between celebration and commemoration is terrifying. Tens of millions of people died in world war two. Some were undisputed heroes. Many of them died doing what they thought was right - even as their leaders pursued tactics that were obviously wrong. Millions of them died because of their race, their religion, or who they preferred to sleep with, in circumstances where heroism made not a shred of difference. Celebrate? Fuck that for a game of soldiers. Let's commemorate them all, the heroes, the cowards, the geniuses and the cannon fodder, the long, the short and the tall - let's bless them all, let's commemorate them, but let's heartily wish it had never needed to happen. The idea that there's some kind of excuse, on this anniversary, for turning those memories into some kind of cos play for gammons holding fucking garden parties to celebrate is revolting. Coming down from rantspace, maybe that's there's so much ambivalence about celebrating today. Come August even greater joys await us. Asking around who wants to celebrate Hiroshima and Nagasaki sounds to me like an undeegrad project to identify psychopaths. Very thought provoking post It’s not really is it? It’s just another rant to try to appear controversial. " Of course it is. Bless you my loves, that worm of cynicism that's eaten away your heart must be so well fed. | |||
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"Nothing more than a snapshot observation in this post ........ so not assuming the same everywhere. Living in a city centre I have seen absolutely no celebration of VE Day, why? I assume because the residents of the city are relatively young and multi-racial (i.e have minimal if any reference to WW2). Yet speaking to friends beyond the centre (e.g. suburbs and semi-rural locations) street parties, flags and bunting abound, why? I suspect it’s based on retired population numbers and lower integration of cultures. So, whilst just an observation local to myself I would be interested to know if anyone else has seen similar elsewhere?I think your queston's interesting but is about more than just dmeographics. The very notion of it being a celebration is revolting. I know we have to suffer the nauseating stupidity of the two world wars and one world cup neantherdals, but the fact that as a nation we seem unable to tell the difference between celebration and commemoration is terrifying. Tens of millions of people died in world war two. Some were undisputed heroes. Many of them died doing what they thought was right - even as their leaders pursued tactics that were obviously wrong. Millions of them died because of their race, their religion, or who they preferred to sleep with, in circumstances where heroism made not a shred of difference. Celebrate? Fuck that for a game of soldiers. Let's commemorate them all, the heroes, the cowards, the geniuses and the cannon fodder, the long, the short and the tall - let's bless them all, let's commemorate them, but let's heartily wish it had never needed to happen. The idea that there's some kind of excuse, on this anniversary, for turning those memories into some kind of cos play for gammons holding fucking garden parties to celebrate is revolting. Coming down from rantspace, maybe that's there's so much ambivalence about celebrating today. Come August even greater joys await us. Asking around who wants to celebrate Hiroshima and Nagasaki sounds to me like an undeegrad project to identify psychopaths. Very thought provoking post" . Thnak your for elaborating further want my frustration could not articulate. Anyone who celebrates war has no understanding what it means to actively serve in a nations armed forces. As for town vs country celebrations. The raf painted most of inner and outer London in red white and blue. The flew typhoons over Cardiff and had a spitfire over Duxford. Given the limitations we have right now I'd that is an appropriate display in both urban and rural areas. | |||
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"Just re-establishing the purpose of this post ..... City centre no VE Day celebrations versus suburbs and semi-rural areas plenty of celebrations. Q. Has anyone experienced similar wherever you are?" Im pretty close to city centre and nothing around me either To be honest i took it to be because we live pretty anonymously in flats, i don't know any of my neighbours, i never see them out talking to each other either so unlikely that we would be having a garden or street party with each other I think it would have been similar lockdown or no lockdown and wether it be VE day or royal wedding or any other reason there could be for a street party | |||
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"Nothing more than a snapshot observation in this post ........ so not assuming the same everywhere. Living in a city centre I have seen absolutely no celebration of VE Day, why? I assume because the residents of the city are relatively young and multi-racial (i.e have minimal if any reference to WW2). Yet speaking to friends beyond the centre (e.g. suburbs and semi-rural locations) street parties, flags and bunting abound, why? I suspect it’s based on retired population numbers and lower integration of cultures. So, whilst just an observation local to myself I would be interested to know if anyone else has seen similar elsewhere?I think your queston's interesting but is about more than just dmeographics. The very notion of it being a celebration is revolting. I know we have to suffer the nauseating stupidity of the two world wars and one world cup neantherdals, but the fact that as a nation we seem unable to tell the difference between celebration and commemoration is terrifying. Tens of millions of people died in world war two. Some were undisputed heroes. Many of them died doing what they thought was right - even as their leaders pursued tactics that were obviously wrong. Millions of them died because of their race, their religion, or who they preferred to sleep with, in circumstances where heroism made not a shred of difference. Celebrate? Fuck that for a game of soldiers. Let's commemorate them all, the heroes, the cowards, the geniuses and the cannon fodder, the long, the short and the tall - let's bless them all, let's commemorate them, but let's heartily wish it had never needed to happen. The idea that there's some kind of excuse, on this anniversary, for turning those memories into some kind of cos play for gammons holding fucking garden parties to celebrate is revolting. Coming down from rantspace, maybe that's there's so much ambivalence about celebrating today. Come August even greater joys await us. Asking around who wants to celebrate Hiroshima and Nagasaki sounds to me like an undeegrad project to identify psychopaths." Am i mis understanding? Is VE day not a celebration of the end of war? Rather than a celebration of war itself? | |||
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"Just re-establishing the purpose of this post ..... City centre no VE Day celebrations versus suburbs and semi-rural areas plenty of celebrations. Q. Has anyone experienced similar wherever you are? Im pretty close to city centre and nothing around me either To be honest i took it to be because we live pretty anonymously in flats, i don't know any of my neighbours, i never see them out talking to each other either so unlikely that we would be having a garden or street party with each other I think it would have been similar lockdown or no lockdown and wether it be VE day or royal wedding or any other reason there could be for a street party " That’s a good point although a sad indictment of high-density living leading to city centre anonymity.... | |||
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"Nothing more than a snapshot observation in this post ........ so not assuming the same everywhere. Living in a city centre I have seen absolutely no celebration of VE Day, why? I assume because the residents of the city are relatively young and multi-racial (i.e have minimal if any reference to WW2). Yet speaking to friends beyond the centre (e.g. suburbs and semi-rural locations) street parties, flags and bunting abound, why? I suspect it’s based on retired population numbers and lower integration of cultures. So, whilst just an observation local to myself I would be interested to know if anyone else has seen similar elsewhere?I think your queston's interesting but is about more than just dmeographics. The very notion of it being a celebration is revolting. I know we have to suffer the nauseating stupidity of the two world wars and one world cup neantherdals, but the fact that as a nation we seem unable to tell the difference between celebration and commemoration is terrifying. Tens of millions of people died in world war two. Some were undisputed heroes. Many of them died doing what they thought was right - even as their leaders pursued tactics that were obviously wrong. Millions of them died because of their race, their religion, or who they preferred to sleep with, in circumstances where heroism made not a shred of difference. Celebrate? Fuck that for a game of soldiers. Let's commemorate them all, the heroes, the cowards, the geniuses and the cannon fodder, the long, the short and the tall - let's bless them all, let's commemorate them, but let's heartily wish it had never needed to happen. The idea that there's some kind of excuse, on this anniversary, for turning those memories into some kind of cos play for gammons holding fucking garden parties to celebrate is revolting. Coming down from rantspace, maybe that's there's so much ambivalence about celebrating today. Come August even greater joys await us. Asking around who wants to celebrate Hiroshima and Nagasaki sounds to me like an undeegrad project to identify psychopaths. Very thought provoking post. Thnak your for elaborating further want my frustration could not articulate. Anyone who celebrates war has no understanding what it means to actively serve in a nations armed forces. As for town vs country celebrations. The raf painted most of inner and outer London in red white and blue. The flew typhoons over Cardiff and had a spitfire over Duxford. Given the limitations we have right now I'd that is an appropriate display in both urban and rural areas. " You’ve not worked out it’s the celebration of the end of war? Which is why it has a totally different feel to the commemorations in Nov_mber? | |||
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"Nothing more than a snapshot observation in this post ........ so not assuming the same everywhere. Living in a city centre I have seen absolutely no celebration of VE Day, why? I assume because the residents of the city are relatively young and multi-racial (i.e have minimal if any reference to WW2). Yet speaking to friends beyond the centre (e.g. suburbs and semi-rural locations) street parties, flags and bunting abound, why? I suspect it’s based on retired population numbers and lower integration of cultures. So, whilst just an observation local to myself I would be interested to know if anyone else has seen similar elsewhere?I think your queston's interesting but is about more than just dmeographics. The very notion of it being a celebration is revolting. I know we have to suffer the nauseating stupidity of the two world wars and one world cup neantherdals, but the fact that as a nation we seem unable to tell the difference between celebration and commemoration is terrifying. Tens of millions of people died in world war two. Some were undisputed heroes. Many of them died doing what they thought was right - even as their leaders pursued tactics that were obviously wrong. Millions of them died because of their race, their religion, or who they preferred to sleep with, in circumstances where heroism made not a shred of difference. Celebrate? Fuck that for a game of soldiers. Let's commemorate them all, the heroes, the cowards, the geniuses and the cannon fodder, the long, the short and the tall - let's bless them all, let's commemorate them, but let's heartily wish it had never needed to happen. The idea that there's some kind of excuse, on this anniversary, for turning those memories into some kind of cos play for gammons holding fucking garden parties to celebrate is revolting. Coming down from rantspace, maybe that's there's so much ambivalence about celebrating today. Come August even greater joys await us. Asking around who wants to celebrate Hiroshima and Nagasaki sounds to me like an undeegrad project to identify psychopaths. Am i mis understanding? Is VE day not a celebration of the end of war? Rather than a celebration of war itself? " It is to signify then end of the war in the european theatre of conflict. Of course in 1945 people celebrated... they had just endured 6 years of war and 70 million people worldwide dying. They could finally move on with life without war. To use it 75 years after the fact as an excuse for a piss up with your neighbours is appalling. Something sobering to visually represents what the cost of "victory" really means https://youtu.be/DwKPFT-RioU | |||
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"I live in a village and there was loads going on (and still is) We had a street party, (9 houses) we all contributed food and went up to get things one at a time. We sat in front of our houses and chatted and listened to music. It was a beautiful sunny day and it lifted everyone's spirits. We're aged from 36 to 55. And to the miserable bugger who said that nobody should be doing anything some of us are able to talk to people whilst keeping away from them. The covid vigilantes are starting to bore me as much as the people who are flouting the rules are annoying me." Tbh I have not heard or read of any VE Day parties being anything other than respectful of the lockdown guidance. The theme I was interested in exploring was solely where the parties appeared to being held. Suburbs, small towns and villages certainly seem to have the prevalence ...... that’s all, thanks | |||
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"I live in a village and there was loads going on (and still is) We had a street party, (9 houses) we all contributed food and went up to get things one at a time. We sat in front of our houses and chatted and listened to music. It was a beautiful sunny day and it lifted everyone's spirits. We're aged from 36 to 55. And to the miserable bugger who said that nobody should be doing anything some of us are able to talk to people whilst keeping away from them. The covid vigilantes are starting to bore me as much as the people who are flouting the rules are annoying me. Tbh I have not heard or read of any VE Day parties being anything other than respectful of the lockdown guidance. The theme I was interested in exploring was solely where the parties appeared to being held. Suburbs, small towns and villages certainly seem to have the prevalence ...... that’s all, thanks" I know, that's why I told you the location and our ages. I was answering your questions. | |||
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"Nothing more than a snapshot observation in this post ........ so not assuming the same everywhere. Living in a city centre I have seen absolutely no celebration of VE Day, why? I assume because the residents of the city are relatively young and multi-racial (i.e have minimal if any reference to WW2). Yet speaking to friends beyond the centre (e.g. suburbs and semi-rural locations) street parties, flags and bunting abound, why? I suspect it’s based on retired population numbers and lower integration of cultures. So, whilst just an observation local to myself I would be interested to know if anyone else has seen similar elsewhere?I think your queston's interesting but is about more than just dmeographics. The very notion of it being a celebration is revolting. I know we have to suffer the nauseating stupidity of the two world wars and one world cup neantherdals, but the fact that as a nation we seem unable to tell the difference between celebration and commemoration is terrifying. Tens of millions of people died in world war two. Some were undisputed heroes. Many of them died doing what they thought was right - even as their leaders pursued tactics that were obviously wrong. Millions of them died because of their race, their religion, or who they preferred to sleep with, in circumstances where heroism made not a shred of difference. Celebrate? Fuck that for a game of soldiers. Let's commemorate them all, the heroes, the cowards, the geniuses and the cannon fodder, the long, the short and the tall - let's bless them all, let's commemorate them, but let's heartily wish it had never needed to happen. The idea that there's some kind of excuse, on this anniversary, for turning those memories into some kind of cos play for gammons holding fucking garden parties to celebrate is revolting. Coming down from rantspace, maybe that's there's so much ambivalence about celebrating today. Come August even greater joys await us. Asking around who wants to celebrate Hiroshima and Nagasaki sounds to me like an undeegrad project to identify psychopaths. Am i mis understanding? Is VE day not a celebration of the end of war? Rather than a celebration of war itself? " That's precisely the problem I have. I have no doubt about the sincerity of some people who want to celebrate the end of war but nationally it's a horribly tangled event that lacks the clear narrative that 1945 had. In case anyone has forgotten (and you can bet Boris Johnson hasn't) one of the ways Britain celebrated victory in Europe was by sacking Churchill at the general election and putting in his place a genuinely decorated ex world war One officer who made his name as a social worker and promoter of the welfare state. Faced with the choice between the rhetoric of the man who deisgned the disatstrous Dardanelles campaign, and the dedicated officer who stayed on the beaches there until all his surviving men were rescued, the British made a clear choice. War is complicated, messy, dirty and generally to be avoided. Commemorate and cherish by all means, but some of what I've seen today is preciely the wrong kid of celebration, and I think I'm not alone in that. | |||
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"Nothing more than a snapshot observation in this post ........ so not assuming the same everywhere. Living in a city centre I have seen absolutely no celebration of VE Day, why? I assume because the residents of the city are relatively young and multi-racial (i.e have minimal if any reference to WW2). Yet speaking to friends beyond the centre (e.g. suburbs and semi-rural locations) street parties, flags and bunting abound, why? I suspect it’s based on retired population numbers and lower integration of cultures. So, whilst just an observation local to myself I would be interested to know if anyone else has seen similar elsewhere?I think your queston's interesting but is about more than just dmeographics. The very notion of it being a celebration is revolting. I know we have to suffer the nauseating stupidity of the two world wars and one world cup neantherdals, but the fact that as a nation we seem unable to tell the difference between celebration and commemoration is terrifying. Tens of millions of people died in world war two. Some were undisputed heroes. Many of them died doing what they thought was right - even as their leaders pursued tactics that were obviously wrong. Millions of them died because of their race, their religion, or who they preferred to sleep with, in circumstances where heroism made not a shred of difference. Celebrate? Fuck that for a game of soldiers. Let's commemorate them all, the heroes, the cowards, the geniuses and the cannon fodder, the long, the short and the tall - let's bless them all, let's commemorate them, but let's heartily wish it had never needed to happen. The idea that there's some kind of excuse, on this anniversary, for turning those memories into some kind of cos play for gammons holding fucking garden parties to celebrate is revolting. Coming down from rantspace, maybe that's there's so much ambivalence about celebrating today. Come August even greater joys await us. Asking around who wants to celebrate Hiroshima and Nagasaki sounds to me like an undeegrad project to identify psychopaths. Am i mis understanding? Is VE day not a celebration of the end of war? Rather than a celebration of war itself? That's precisely the problem I have. I have no doubt about the sincerity of some people who want to celebrate the end of war but nationally it's a horribly tangled event that lacks the clear narrative that 1945 had. In case anyone has forgotten (and you can bet Boris Johnson hasn't) one of the ways Britain celebrated victory in Europe was by sacking Churchill at the general election and putting in his place a genuinely decorated ex world war One officer who made his name as a social worker and promoter of the welfare state. Faced with the choice between the rhetoric of the man who deisgned the disatstrous Dardanelles campaign, and the dedicated officer who stayed on the beaches there until all his surviving men were rescued, the British made a clear choice. War is complicated, messy, dirty and generally to be avoided. Commemorate and cherish by all means, but some of what I've seen today is preciely the wrong kid of celebration, and I think I'm not alone in that." This is written far more eloquently than I can write As other have accused those not "celebrating" of having their knickers in a twist I ask, who of you have served in the armed forces? I served in the military and saw colleagues get blown up and killed. There is nothing glorious about war or the casualties it inflicts on all sides whether they be soldiers or civilians. I did not enlist with the purpose of killing machine. I did it to make a difference and learn from past conflicts like ww2 and prayed for better outcomes to the conflict I knew I would be entering. Im grateful on the whole I served with professional soldiers and not mindless patriots wanting to "fly th flag" like the rhetoric I am hearing here. | |||
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"I wouldn't know what it was like in town but lots of areas near me had decorated their houses etc. There was a lot of people sitting in their front gardens drinking, eating, chatting with other neighbours. Most people were 50+ I would say." Thank you and the age dynamic (not just location) certainly appears to influence whether celebrations went ahead. | |||
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"Loved seeing all the bunting up today, you can have fun and lockdown too" I was only out for a short while but it was nice to see a little cheer in this dull time? I heard of some folks having street parties on their front doorsteps. | |||
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"Just re-establishing the purpose of this post ..... City centre no VE Day celebrations versus suburbs and semi-rural areas plenty of celebrations. Q. Has anyone experienced similar wherever you are?" It didn’t happen where I live as no outside space to do that at a safe distance and no where for bunting. However friends and family that have the relevant space enjoyed a front / back garden party whilst everyone stayed in their own areas. Nothing to do with lack of respect, just current circumstances | |||
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