Festivals & Celebrations

Lewes Bonfire Night by BonnieRosePhoto on Etsy, £60.00

Festivals and Celebrations 
“Have you ever been to an amazing festival or celebration while travelling? Do you have any special festivals or events from your home country or where you live now? Have you celebrated something special while travelling?” – Travel Tuesday co-host Marcella 

“Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot…”
The USA has their firework displays for their Independence Day from England in 1776 and the UK burns effigies of Guy Fawkes, a man who failed the Gunpowder plot of 1605. After celebrating Bonfire Night a few years back in Lewes, I honestly favour the UK holiday. If you are ever going to be in England for Bonfire night I highly recommend heading to Lewes for it is the biggest celebrated Fifth November Event in the world. In fact there are six different bonfire society’s all celebrating the Fifth in various parts of the town. Each has their own processions, traditions, costumes, fire sites and fireworks.
My History with Bonfire Night
When we lived in England, when I was a young girl, I loved going to Bonfire night.  Even when we moved away from England my dad will still take me to celebrate it.  I have fond memories of when we lived in Italy and getting together with the RAF families to set fire to the Guy and watch the bonfire burn.  When we moved to England in 2011, this was one of anticipated ‘firsts’ that I wanted to experience with my husband and sons. There was a bonfire society near where my kids went to school that year and the school was involved in the procession. This meant we got to hold up banners and march all around the town of Lindfield, waving to the crowds of people watching.  I even got to hold a flaming torch which was probably the most exciting part of that night for me.  As we were part of the procession we got a prime location to watch the bonfire and fireworks from later that evening as well.  It was our first Bonfire Night together as a family in England and a very memorable one indeed.

I wrote about Bonfire Night in Batheaston, England, you can read it too. 

 

what are some memorable festivals you have attended around the world?

  • http://causedreamscancometrue.blogspot.de Isa

    This story is very touching and I can understand what Bonfire Night means to you. I am glad you could see it again. I read your other post aswell, it was written very well.
    To me, I never was at a festival yet but I definitely plan to go to one on my next travel to London, can you recommend some to me?

  • http://www.twofeet-oneworld.com/ Jessi @2feet1world

    Bonfire night is so fun! I went to the bonfire and fireworks display at Battersea Park last year, it was an amazing sight.

  • http://www.embusyliving.com Emily S

    Bonfire night sounds like a wonderful celebration to look forward to each year! I’m familiar with the Guy Fawkes story but had never heard of this tradition. How fun!

  • Jerry Clinton

    hi

  • Kiki

    I like Bonfire night too, but it’s so damn freezing every year. 😀
    First time here, but certainly not the last. :)

    http://kikisparlour.blogspot.co.uk/

  • http://thetravellinglindfields.blogspot.com.au/ thetravellinglindfields

    When I was a child, in Sydney, Australia, we had a thing called ‘Fireworks night’ when it was legal to light fireworks in your back garden. I think it was based on Guy Fawks night. It doesn’t happen any more which is a real shame. Now you have to go to a community event to see the fireworks.

  • http://www.clemandmarcella.wordpress.com/ Marcella ~ WhatAWonderfulWorld

    One of my favourite celebrations in the UK :)