Guy Fawkes Bonfire night 10th of November 2007

The English section social committee is organizing a bonfire evening, with fireworks, a grill, bar and a guy competition on the evening of November 10th 2007 here at the European school in Karlsruhe.

This event has been a tradition at the school for 11 years. The tradition itself for the English to have a bonfire evening in November dates back to a failed attempt to blow up the houses of parliament and the then king James with it in 1605 on November the 5th. In 1606 the Government of England decided to celebrate this day annually with a Bonfire and fireworks.

Now traditionally November 5th is the date for most celebrations, but nowadays it is getting customary also in some parts of England to hold an annual celebration on a Saturday either side of the 5th of November to make it easier for families to attend. Here at the European School it is customary to celebrate this event on the first Saturday following the Autumn half term. This year we will be sharing the same date for the annual celebration with the city of London herself.

The evening was given the name as Guy Fawkes night after the first man arrested for this terrible deed. Yes there really was a man called Guy Fawkes, he was discovered in the houses of parliament in a room full of barrels of gunpowder on November the 5th 1605. Legend has it that the king was warned in advance because a man by the name of Francis Tresham wrote a letter to a relation warning them to not go to parliament on that day. Its authenticity has been challenged sometimes.

Most people celebrate the evening for the fact he was stopped, but there are some who celebrate the attempt, so whoever your support lies with, please come and celebrate with us.

For more information on the history please click on the links on our web poster!!!