Last night of the proms (hopefully)

[Lottie1988]

With the last night of the proms looming next week, do you think it is outdated and stuck in the past. It is symbolic of everything that is wrong with Britain today. It harks back to the empire and glorifies Britains shameful military past.

The flag waving and jingoism of the last night is something that we would expect of a third world republic and not what we would expect of Britain in the 21st century.

Is it time we consigned this awful display of nationalism to the dustbin of history where it belongs.

[naomi24]

Why is she damned by saying she's English and proud of it? Good for her! What's wrong with being proud of one's nationality? Other nations don't seem to have a problem with it.

[B00]

Yes Newsdesk, I'm proud of being English and having the good fortune of being born into it....

Problem???

[B00]

Because we want to see you cry like a girl newsdesk ;-)

[e.crespo]

Surely this isn't bullying, just standing up for something that can be enjoyed by everyone, is totally egalitarian and above everything else is a cheap night out.
Of course I am talking about the Prom season, tickets to the LNOTP are at a premium because demand exceeds supply!
It is obvious that those that are intimidated by the Last Night of the Proms have never been to any Prom concert and have swallowed hook, line and sinker the propagander of the cultural naysayers.
Over the last two months there have been more than 60 concerts, attended by thousands of British concertgoers and more importantly, thousands of foreign tourists and ex-pats, all privy to the fantastic value for money that is the Proms.
How dare a miserable section of our society moan about a concert (and concert season) that reinforces the British ability to put a damn good show, that is inclusive, relatively inexpensive and enjoyed by millions around the world. How sad.

[tigerlily11]

I love it.
Certainly not out dated and with everything else even remotly British being out lawed I think we should have this one for as long as possible.

[e.crespo]

Got to go, Bernard Haitink and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra perform tonight and I will be there. It is being broadcast on BBC 4 from 7.30pm but it is never as good as being there in person:)

[carrust]

I hate it.
Can't stand all that jingoistic flag waving nonsense.
Elgar wept when he found-out what they'd done to his Pomp & Circumstance...Land of Hope & Glory..yuk!
I really enjoy the rest of the Proms though. But I wont be watching on Sat.

[anotheoldgit]

littleoldme
I think I can hear AOG's wig flipping. ;-)

Most of the posts I have read on this question has restored my faith in Answer Bank. Glad to see that there are still some who are still happy to wave the flag.

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Newsdesk

it's wrong to televise white only festivals without any black participation

We tried with the Black and White Minstrel Show, but look what happened to that. Anyway there is no notice on the Albert Hall's doors saying "Whites only"

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Stewey
Yes! Let us not forget that the British attempted to, and partially succeeded, in conquering the World whilst exterminating most of the indigenous population of the countries they were attempting to 'civilize'....make the map pink...pip pip, jolly good show:,,,,there'll always be an England!

What a load of rubbish, the British did not "invade" or conquered (has you put it) we colonised, and traded peacefully, and we did not exterminate anybody.

[Booldawg]

Its no different to the Notting Hill carnival from a cultural point of view.

[whiffy]

Oh dear.

[JJ2006]

Someone better remove Mani's post before AOG has a major heart attack!!

Quick someone distract him with a question about muslims!!

[B00]

I've seen, amongst the crowd shots Newsdesk, folks of all ethnic origins. Maybe as you're so keen to make this annual celebration a racist thing you've failed to spot them?

[whiffy]

Let it die a dignified and natural death. Elgar and Parry will be overtaken by steel bands soon anyway, much more representative of 21st century Britain - whether you like it or not.

[The Builder]

Although I've never been a particular fan of the Proms.....I did catch Daniel Barenboim's performance with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra (made up of Israeli AND Palestinian players.) I leapt out of my chair with a dirty great cheer when, after the performance, he said "you hear so much of what is wrong with the Middle East - now you've heard what's right with it........................"

[naomi24]

How could you spot Muslims or anyone else at the Last Night of the Proms, Newsdesk? You've never been to the Last Night of the Proms. I think you're pulling our plonkers. Ganging up on you and bullying you? There, there. Never mind. What a wag! :o)

Mani, are you sure you're quite alright? It's just an observation, but you seem to have so much anger and hatred inside you lately - and much of angled at white British people. What's going on with you? This seems a fairly recent thing. I can't remember you ever being this vitriolic in the past.

[stewey]

AOG, how do actually 'colonize' a country or territory without marching over the borders of said 'To be soonly colonized' area? And in order to perfect, or at least start, this (as you suggest) colonization, doesn't one have to march in with jolly good red uniforms and bayonets fixed?....I am not anti-British: I was born in England. I do have a four volume set of "British Battles On Land And Sea", published c1880. The writer certainly likes to dwell upon the atrocities that the 'natives' performed upon the British troops who were invading their country.......and then he goes into great detail about how the 'insurgents' were tied to the front of a field cannon and taught a lesson.