エマ先生からのメッセージ５　Bonfire Night

ALTのエマ先生からのメッセージ、その５です。今回は、イギリスの伝統ある行事についてです。歴史について調べてみるのも面白いかも知れませんね。

In the UK there is a holiday called Bonfire Night. It is also sometimes called Firework Night or Fawkes Night. It is on the 5th of November every year.

We celebrate this day because in 1605, a man called Guy Fawkes tried to kill the King, but he failed. Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the King using fire and gunpowder. When you set fire to gunpowder, it explodes. However, Guy Fawkes was caught before he could carry out his plan, so the King didn’t die. This was called ‘The Gunpowder Plot’.

On Bonfire Night British people celebrate the King’s survival. Lots of people burn big bonfires and set off fireworks. This is because bonfires and fireworks look like explosions. It is connected to ‘The Gunpowder Plot’. You can hear fireworks all night long on this night.

There’s a traditional poem people say on Bonfire Night to remember its true meaning:

Remember, remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason, and plot.
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

Bonfire Night in my hometown by the sea. There are food stalls and fireworks, like at Japanese festivals!

A big Bonfire Night event I went to when I was at university. The fireworks were timed to music and they were so pretty.

These days, you can even buy Bonfire Night themed cupcakes! My mum buys them every year to celebrate.