MovieChat Forums > V for Vendetta (2006) Discussion > Question about the 5th of November

Question about the 5th of November

posted 9 years ago by pereira-filipesantos
8 replies | jump to latest

I was reading about Guy Fawkes and I'm curious, do people in Britan still burn effigies of him in the 5th of November? Seems a bit too much for something that happened 500 years ago. It seems to me that an event like that should go un-celebrated nowadays, and just be left as a important date in history books. To me, fireworks seem like a lot of work and expense just to mark this day, let alone burn effigies...
There would hardly be any implications in today's society if the Gunpowder plot had worked back then. Maybe a different religion would be the dominate one in England, I don't know. Maybe in a parallel universe where the plot worked Guy Fawkes is celebrated as a hero. Anyway that's not even my point.

I may be outnumbered, but not even the odds can stand against me

[–] kya1 9 years ago

I was reading about Guy Fawkes and I'm curious, do people in Britan still burn effigies of him in the 5th of November?

Yes, that still happens today. It's more of a fun thing though, just enjoying the bonfires and the fireworks. There are lots of organised fireworks displays and thousands of people go to see them. It's just a bit of fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAIJ3Rh5Qxs

[–] vilafire 9 years ago

Tell that to kids expecting gifts on the "birthday" of "Jesus."

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] jamiepickering 8 years ago

Oh yes, still very much celebrated at the beginning of November. In recent years, not strictly on the 5th of November although that's still certainly 'Guy Fawkes Night', but more commonly called Bonfire Night. Many people attend larger public displays rather than having their own, as store-bought fireworks (however much you spend) just aren't as grandiose and exciting as the displays that profession pyrotechnics put together. Most public displays are held on the Saturday closest to the 5th, for convenience mainly, although some are held on the proper night.
The actual Guy Fawkes element is much more for the kids nowadays. Competitions for the best effigy ('Guy') are held at most displays for young children, though generally aren't put on the bonfire. The bonfires are largely made up of wood donated by companies that have old wooden pallets to give, or in some cases the public donate old wooden furniture. I'm fairly sure a Guy (made of old pillows and clothes usually) would be some form of Health and Safety issue, due to synthetic fabrics, etc.

I personally bloody LOVE Bonfire Night, my favourite time of year!

[–] Fawkes_Rocks 8 years ago

That sounds like a lot of fun. Wish I could see it.

In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally start living.

[–] Milk_Tray_Guy 8 years ago

Yeah, it's pretty cool!

"A big ball of wibbly wobbly, timey wimey stuff" The Tenth Doctor explains all.

[–] sevenmarie 8 years ago

think of it as July 4 in the US except tamer because Americans be crazy

[–] stevenx9 8 years ago

You all seem to be pretty well-informed, so you probably know this already, but just in case....On John Lennon's solo album "Plastic Ono Band", the track "Remember" ends with John singing, "Remember....Remember.....THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER!" And then you hear an explosion. I thought that was pretty cool.