"David Cameron[SIZE=1.166em]'s plan to spend more than £50m marking the centenary of the [/SIZE]first world war[SIZE=1.166em] has been attacked by a group of actors, writers and campaigners including Jude Law and Michael Morpurgo, author of the children's novel War Horse which is set during the conflict.[/SIZE] Promising a "truly national commemoration", the prime minister said last year there would be events in 2014 to mark 100 years since the outbreak of the conflict and in 2018 for the centenary of Armistice Day, as well as on the dates of major battles in between. But in an open letter to Cameron, published in the Guardian, a range of figures also including the musician Brian Eno, the artist Anthony Gormley and the actors Patrick Stewart and Alan Rickman describe the conflict as a "military disaster and a human catastrophe". "Mr Cameron quite inappropriately compared these events to the diamond jubilee celebrations and stated that their aim will be to stress our national spirit," they say. "That they will be run at least in part by former generals and ex-defence secretaries reveals just how misconceived these plans are." The letter's 49 signatories, who also include the film director Ken Loach and the poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, invite the public to add their names to the letter online "to ensure that this anniversary is used to promote peace and international co-operation". A total of £50m was being spent on the commemorations, according to the prime minister, who said an advisory board of former defence secretaries, chiefs of staff and military specialists would bring together ideas for the events. There will be a £5m educational programme for schoolchildren, including trips to the battlefields and support for an overhaul of the Imperial War Museum. Cameron said last October: "The centenary will also provide the foundations upon which to build an enduring cultural and educational legacy to put young people front and centre in our commemoration, and to ensure that the sacrifice and service of 100 years ago is still remembered in 100 years' time."" http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/21/artists-criticise-war-centenary-plan
Hmmm...Don't know what to say about that....I'm all for commemorating it...I'm not for glorifying it for present day politics...which Cameron above all politicians before him is a giant at doing so. And without he himself knowing much history of his own armed forces and nation. As evidenced in a few of his interviews when left without guidance. I even have a letter of apology from his office regarding one of his blunders I myself raised. But notwithsatnding that...That group are a group I would normally respect and listen to...But on this occasion they are wrong...Cameron is right, but for the wrong reasons...if that makes sense. Yes commemorate the proceedings with peace in mind..But that does not preclude the fact that this was a horrendous..violent, bloody war like no other in our history. It will do no harm for our younger and even our older generation to be transported back in time to a place where social history changed and mostly for the better...These commentators do a disservice to social history if they just want to make it a peace fest...for all its wrongs...it righted some serious class distinctions...No longer would the squire have a right to his front pew at church because of his standing...the dof't cap would slowly dissapear...Even if today we see it coming back...No..the commemorations are necessary...not for gingoistic reasons or flag flying political reasons...but because every village, town, and city in this country bar a very few...have a memorial to those that fell from their locality...They deserve an airing.
A bit surprising considering how many of the signatories are known for social awareness, or do they just want to pick and choose their causes?
Afraid... being a bit of a leftie....I'm forced to agree...we pick and choose our causes at times....But being a none conformist leftie who can go righty when needed....I'm just going to bracket them this time as lovies.....Bet they would all be fist to appear on BBC ancestory programs...and get paid for it....and gush over Gt Uncle John who died on the Somme...They've taken the personal out of their objection this time round.
I'm not fully aware of what the committee has in mind for the events but I can kind of see both sides of the argument. Government funding can go a long way in preserving history, a project that's funded to recreate "trench life" could give visitors a glimpse into what life was like living in the trenches but it might not do much to convey the horrors of trench life like a funded short film can. At the end of the day both projects are doing their part in keeping these memories alive and both will speak to different audiences, not everyone wants to see images of war but if both displays are presented and narrated in the right way viewers may leave with similar impressions. At the same time, I do agree that this event should also be used to promote global peace and cooperation. Let us not forget that this is exactly what many Great War veterans had attempted to do at the end of the war. Veterans from all over the world came together to share their stories, photos, footage, etc to give the public a glimpse of what they experienced and to leave behind an archive that future generations could learn from.
I have more respect for those who served and spent over 4 years in the trenches than a bunch of actors. This is not about acting it's about real life. Those soldiers suffered for real , With real blood, not paint and they should always be rememebered.
