Sly Posted 28 September , 2014 Share Posted 28 September , 2014 Maryline, the difference is that the Last Post is a daily event, unlike the other commemorations gathering people just on one day. A similar daily service is held every day at 6.30pm at the base of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris but the round-about with its busy traffic is a good way to stop a massive crowd of "tourists"... who don't know the existence of the underground to get there. Sly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 28 September , 2014 Admin Share Posted 28 September , 2014 It was very busy at 1pm today,never seen so many people in the day time at the gate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyne Posted 7 October , 2014 Share Posted 7 October , 2014 A similar daily service is held every day at 6.30pm at the base of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris but the round-about with its busy traffic is a good way to stop a massive crowd of "tourists"... who don't know the existence of the underground to get there. Sly Even worse... I've been there a few times... most tourists (& others) don't even know what's going on when they see the daily designated honour guard appearing !! I was there last year january on the "Rallye Tour Eiffel" march and had to explain to a FRENCH guy what was the story behind the ceremony. Hello-oooh!!! Don't they teach history in schools anymore?? M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sly Posted 8 October , 2014 Share Posted 8 October , 2014 It's not surprising Maryline, unlike the Menin Gate the Arc de Triomphe is not a purely WW1 memorial, it was built in 1836 and for a very large majority of people it is more a sort of iconic symbol of Paris than a memorial. Hello-oooh!!! Don't they teach history in schools anymore?? Unfortunately the time allowed to study WW1 in high school in France has reduced to 4 hours... all is said. Sly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyne Posted 8 October , 2014 Share Posted 8 October , 2014 It's not surprising Maryline, unlike the Menin Gate the Arc de Triomphe is not a purely WW1 memorial, it was built in 1836 and for a very large majority of people it is more a sort of iconic symbol of Paris than a memorial. Really?? Darn ... and I thought it was modern art... built to celebrate the Millenium... ha ha !! the ceremony of "ravivage de la flamme" though, dates 1923 and has been performed DAILY ever since... even under the occupation!! And like at Menin Gate, schools, veteran associations and units are invited to partipated, following a strict ceremonial and taking turns. therefore my surprise - and horror - to still find Frenchmen who have no idea what the whole thing was about... in Belgium every schoolkid is told about the"Colonne du Congrès" and the "Onbekende Soldaat". If it had been a tourist, OK ... but a native, no way! M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sly Posted 8 October , 2014 Share Posted 8 October , 2014 You'll be surprised to know how many (young) French people don't know why the 11th of November is a public holiday... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyne Posted 9 October , 2014 Share Posted 9 October , 2014 Not anymore actually... I lived in France for 3 years (sorry... in Alsace) .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoppage Drill Posted 9 November , 2014 Share Posted 9 November , 2014 The BBC Radio 4 programme "From Our Own Correspondent" broadcast yesterday carried a report by Chris Haslam on remembrance commercialism (or not) in Ypres. I suppose the programme is still available on these "catch-up" things that I don't understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Tulloch-Marshall Posted 9 November , 2014 Share Posted 9 November , 2014 The BBC Radio 4 programme "From Our Own Correspondent" broadcast yesterday carried a report by Chris Haslam on remembrance commercialism (or not) in Ypres. I suppose the programme is still available on these "catch-up" things that I don't understand. HERE Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffsyeoman Posted 9 November , 2014 Share Posted 9 November , 2014 There's a summary here. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29930997 You can listen direct or download a podcast. I won;t draw conclusions from the piece, just await reactions (probably needs own, new thread). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hone Posted 10 November , 2014 Share Posted 10 November , 2014 I mention this on the Countryfile thread. I thought that it was remarkably caustic; 'Correspondent' pieces like this are usually whimsical but there was a real edge in the journalist's voice as he was describing the commercialisation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Tom Posted 10 November , 2014 Share Posted 10 November , 2014 I think we have been over this question already and there is little else to add. The centenary has made more people aware of the Great War, The Menin Gate and the sounding of Last Post is an attraction to a wide range of people. The crowds and the commercialism are an unavoidable consequence. A pity, but there it is. Old Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petroc Posted 10 November , 2014 Share Posted 10 November , 2014 Quite right, Tom; we may lament the days past when the attendees were fewer..yet my nephews (aged 9 and 6) went to the ceremony two weeks ago and found the whole experience extremely moving, prompting one of the young chaps to come up with the incredibly profound comment, the cherished ability of youth, 'why didn't they just put their rifles down and talk?' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle George Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 There's a summary here. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29930997 You can listen direct or download a podcast. I won;t draw conclusions from the piece, just await reactions (probably needs own, new thread). I saw this piece by Chris Haslam and thought of the poem 'High Wood' by Philip Johnstone: "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is High Wood, Called by the French, Bois des Fourneaux, [...] It has been said on good authority That in the fighting for this patch of wood Were killed somewhere above eight thousand men, Of whom the greater part were buried here, This mound on which you stand being... Madame, please, You are requested kindly not to touch Or take away the Company's property As souvenirs; you'll find we have on sale A large variety, all guaranteed. As I was saying, all is as it was, This is an unknown British officer, The tunic having lately rotted off. Please follow me - this way... the path, sir, please, The ground which was secured at great expense The Company keeps absolutely untouched, And in that dug-out (genuine) we provide Refreshments at a reasonable rate. You are requested not to leave about Paper, or ginger-beer bottles, or orange-peel, There are waste-paper baskets at the gate." This poem was first published in February 1918. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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