Categories: community, films, translation
Date: 02 September 2007 23:12:13
Yesterday afternoon, I went to my village's annual flower show. On display were floral arrangements, vegetables and homemade jams, wines and cakes all vying for the accolade of winning the silver trophy in each class. Some exhibits were extremely good and others were truly awful but I left with a feeling of contentment because somehow such an old-fashioned, unpretentious and homely event shows a solid spirit of community. All efforts are welcomed and although the collapsing cakes, mouldy veg and pest-infested flowers are not going to win any prizes (fortunately), there is a sense of involvement, hope and tradition. And it is a comforting thought to know that some people derive real pleasure and enjoyment from pursuits which are not based entirely around materialism.
Later, I was musing on whether other countries have similar events. If for a moment we assume they do not, then what did other countries make of the film “The Curse of the Were-Rabbit”? All those village fête references must have been completely lost on most people outside of Britain. On the other hand, if such events do exist in other countries, do they have the “flower and vegetable show” type of thing, or is it something similar, but different? I hereby call upon my international readership (gentle readers from Australia, the United States, Moldova, France, Spain, Canada, Thailand, Israel and others) to furnish me with their thoughts on the matter. I await your contributions with anticipation.