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EU flags at Last Night of the Proms

(64 Posts)
vintage1950 Tue 12-Sept-23 18:12:23

EU flags have been waved for several years now at the Last Night. There were flags of many nations in evidence. Why not? The soprano who sang Rule Britannia was Norwegian, trained in Denmark. All the traditional songs were sung, and the audience, from all over the world, joined in the lot. I agree with Foxygloves.

Galaxy Tue 12-Sept-23 17:34:16

That's interesting jenpax I have always felt European first, my father is German so I thought that explained it, glad I am not the only one.

Joseann Tue 12-Sept-23 17:30:41

I can't say I noticed that.
As a lover of music, however, I was more intrigued by a woman in the choir, dressed as a man, still singing the female parts? Oh well.

vegansrock Tue 12-Sept-23 17:22:45

It’s probably the same people who moan about the cancel culture and free speech who want to ban flags. Ironic or what?

Grantanow Tue 12-Sept-23 17:15:26

Just another Right wing Tory attack on the BBC. The underlying implication is that Remainers are unpatriotic (by waving an EU flag) - total nonsense as one retired and experienced Colonel pointed out in the Telegraph letters. Brexiteers seem to be childishly oversensitive, no doubt because increasing numbers of people say it was a big mistake.

M0nica Tue 12-Sept-23 14:58:47

How petty and small minded can people be? I am constantly amazed. Why shouldn't people fly any flags at all that they like at the Last Night of the Proms. I would probably have brought a Normandy flag as I have a home there,

Does it matter whether theflags are British, American, EU, or any other flag in the world.

When people are reduced to moaning about flags at the proms they have very tiny minds with very narrow interests.

varian Tue 12-Sept-23 14:51:02

The brexiters may claim to be patriots but no true patriots would have ever inflicted such dreadful harm on our country.

The true patriots want what is best for our country and most UK citizens know realise we were better off in the EU.

The professional musicians are just one group who have suffered because of brexit and that is why the campaigners Thank You for the Music hand out EU flags to music lovers at the Proms.

www.thankeuforthemusic.com/

MaizieD Tue 12-Sept-23 14:30:42

How do the 'patriots' cope with all that foreign music that is played at the Proms?

Perhaps the organisers should stick to British composers only grin

jenpax Tue 12-Sept-23 14:29:59

I am a European as well as a Brit and I have always felt European first and British second so if I had been there I would have waved an EU flag too! I can’t see the problem! We may have left the EU but geographically we are still Europeans!

BlueBelle Tue 12-Sept-23 14:29:11

I love the EU flag waving we should never be in the position we are in Good for them

merlotgran Tue 12-Sept-23 14:25:07

If they’d have had an EU flag I’d have waved that

Instead or as well as, nanna8?

I love all the flag waving but take very little notice of who’s waving what. The music and singing is more important.

nanna8 Tue 12-Sept-23 14:19:10

We went to an Aussie version where we were handed British flags to wave. Some of them handed them to me because they knew I was born there. I ended up with 6 little flags to give the grandkids. It was a lovely afternoon;, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. If they’d have had an EU flag I’d have waved that!

Foxygloves Tue 12-Sept-23 14:15:25

I think it countered the very overt patriotism (nothing wrong with patriotism as it need not necessarily be militaristic) of Union flags everywhere.
It’s funny though how even one’s national flag can have negative connotations - I blame the organisations which seem to have “hijacked “their use x - eg white vans festooned with the St.George’s cross .
We shouldn’t feel embarrassed but I often do, do, from my point of view there is nothing wrong with a healthy mix of EU and UK flags- indeed how about flags from all over the world.

varian Tue 12-Sept-23 14:03:57

Brexiters outraged after crowds wave EU flag at Last Night of the Proms

The sight of hundreds of European Union flags at the Last Night of the Proms has prompted outrage from Brexiters and a call for the BBC to investigate.

Those waving the EU flag in the Royal Albert Hall appeared to outnumber those waving the union flag at the event, which is usually a patriotic display, following a campaign by pro-Europeans.

The spectacle of so many EU flags being waved as the hall belted out Rule, Britannia! provoked disgust from leading Eurosceptics.

www.theguardian.com/music/2023/sep/10/brexiters-in-outcry-after-crowds-wave-eu-flag-at-last-night-of-the-proms