November 2001
A Guy Thing
Remember, remember, the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot… goes a traditional English playground rhyme. The lines commemorate England’s biggest folk celebration: Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes Night, which marks a failed plot to blow up the English Parliament nearly four centuries ago. Every year around November 5, huge bonfires are lit after dark on village greens around England. Fireworks explode and stuffed figures called “guys” (named after key conspirator, Guy Fawkes) are tossed
onto the bonfire. However, Bonfire Night is not only celebrated in Britain. The tradition crossed the oceans and established itself in the British colonies, and until recently, was actively celebrated in New England as “Pope Day.” This year, Bonfire Night will also be celebrated in Munich, by members of the
560-strong German-English Association (GEA). GEA volunteers will build a huge pyre in a field in the Munich countryside and stage a fireworks display. Traditional refreshments, including mulled wine and Parkin (spicy ginger cake), will be on offer. The event takes place on Saturday, November 10. Further details can be obtained from Jacqui Martin at (089) 14 34 66 94 or from the GEA website:
www.gea-muc.de.
