EU flags cause outrage in UK at cultural event

A The last night of the BBC Proms is supposed to be the culmination of the world’s biggest classical music festival, one of the biggest music events overall and, for Brits, a celebration of the UK’s identity. But for Brexit supporters, the Proms ended in the worst possible way.

Last Saturday, a group of pro-European Union (EU) activists went to the entrance of London’s iconic concert hall, the Royal Albert Hall, to distribute EU flags. After the concert, as usual, the BBC Symphony Orchestra performed the British imperial anthem ‘Rule, Britannia!’ The performance of the song was broadcast on the BBC and around the world, and several videos posted on social media captured flags fluttering around the room. With the flags of the United Kingdom.

By the end of the show, the blue of the EU was evident in the audience, leaving many Brexit supporters angry and angry. Harvey Proctor, a former Conservative MP, called the ‘incident’ a “disgrace” and called for the BBC to be prosecuted for displaying the flags.

“The BBC should investigate why so many EU flags were waved on the last night of dramas. Shameful and mismanaged BBC has destroyed British heritage, a political gesture that would make Sir Henry Wood turn in his grave. It’s ‘Rule Britain’, not ‘Rule EU’!”, Proctor said on the social network Twitter (now X), which is boosting the UK’s overseas dominance.

The last night of the Proms appears to have seen survivors. Can’t wait for Reign of Britannia 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/nFgnBkOgDO

—Isabel Oakeshott (@IsabelOakeshott) September 9, 2023

Far-right commentator Isabel Oakeshott criticized Promes for being “emotional ‘remainers'”, referring to the nickname given to those who voted against Brexit.

Another Conservative and former aide to 1980s neoliberal Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Niall Gardiner, said it was “ironic” to see EU flags in the room because ‘Government, Britannia!’ “Represents freedom, sovereignty and self-determination, all of which are absent in the EU” – despite the theme being criticized by anti-racism activists as a declaration of the country’s colonial legacy.

Activists from the ‘Thank EU For The Music’ movement naturally disagreed with British right-wing commentators, declaring in a Facebook post that the demonstration was a “victory” and “a powerful signal that the United Kingdom wants to return”. “To the European Union.

The BBC Proms, or just the Proms, have been running for the past eight weeks and this year they have resumed in full, the first time since the pandemic. The concerts are mainly held at the Royal Albert Hall, but there are many events spread across the UK, although traditional music is the focus of the festival, modern music from hip-hop to electronic music is increasingly featured. , with musicians from around the world.

Read more: Dinis Souza replaces Gardiner in five Monteverdi choir concerts