The Heritage Journal is about raising awareness of ancient sites and this article by sociologist Tom Shakespeare suggested a way. He says when he looks at other cultures he has “a strong sense of festival envy” – for instance Solstice is often widely celebrated abroad but far less so here and he thinks we’re the poorer for it.
Maybe it’s because solstice is portrayed in the British media (and the EH website!) as about Druids, pagans and other enthusiasts gathered at Stonehenge. They’re entitled to do their own thing but it may cause others to see it as someone else’s festival, not theirs. That’s quite wrong though, it’s everyone’s – it didn’t start with Stonehenge but far earlier, with Mankind!
So is there a case for promoting it as something for people in general to enjoy at their local ancient sites, far from Stonehenge? Such sites, often built with an eye to the heavens, make ideal venues but that doesn’t mean celebration must be in the form of speculative Bronze Age re-enactments. For most people spirituality, intonations and white robes are not part of their own appreciation of the ticking of the celestial clock. Last week 300 people celebrated winter solstice in Australia at a modern stone circle in a 21st century way. Shouldn’t lots of people have been doing that here? We’ve let our solstice slip, both physically and conceptually. Should we claim it back?
Winter Solstice at “The Henge”. As The Canberra Times reported: “Out at Bywong they steered clear of any of the pagan rituals seen at some genuinely ancient sites around the world, and instead enjoyed a barbecue, hot chocolate, mulled wine and a fun family atmosphere”. It’s hardly a wild guess to think that 99% of Britons would prefer to celebrate solstice in that way. Oh, and by the way, in both Oz and the States (where Manhattanhenge has grown very popular) it is solstice sunset that is celebrated, not sunrise – which is much more convenient and – well – authentically Bronze Age if that’s what you want. Britain needs to catch up in all respects!
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06/07/2013 at 08:08
stonehengenews
Reblogged this on Stonehenge News and Information.
06/07/2013 at 10:10
Julia
Yes, I would love for us to celebrate the solstice more. I’d also quite like for the winter solstice to be more recognised as a part of our annual mid-winter festival.
21/07/2013 at 15:15
sarahmay500
The problem isn’t druids (or the EH website) its the Reformation. The repression of festivals in general extended, as you know, to include Christian festivals like Christmas. Its a long road back from that but don’t blame groups who *are* reclaiming solstice, and groups who have nothing to do with what you do and don’t celebrate (EH) for a cultural and political issue that goes to the heart English culture.
22/07/2013 at 06:17
heritageaction
The article was careful not to blame Druids (“They’re entitled to do their own thing”). It simply made the point that the prominence given to the Stonehenge celebrations by the media and the EH website is a reason for the public having a particular, narrow view of what solstice entails – and I’d contend that the fact of the historic repression of festivals doesn’t detract from the validity of the point.
Solstice is very much a “natural” festival, written in the sky, and predating all others. It deserves to be celebrated on every village green or local ancient site, with the local vicar in unashamed attendance and human dogma prominent by it’s absence! EH could bring that about, couldn’t they?
12/11/2013 at 11:51
sarahmay500
So sorry to have missed your reply, but with another solstice approaching I’d just want to say that you have a massively inflated sense of EH’s power. Of course they can’t bring about widespread celebration of solstice throughout the country. Nor is that their role. You want that, you do do it. I’ll join in
12/11/2013 at 12:08
heritageaction
…. [thinking] …. 😉
13/11/2013 at 06:06
heritageaction
Point taken about EH’s limited power. On the other hand they and their predecessors have been instrumental in creating a rather narrow image of “Britain at Solstice” and, in recent years, delivering it to the world’s TVs and laptops the following morning. OK, it’s because Stonehenge is photogenic and potent but nevertheless it would be pleasant to see events other than the Stonehenge one being presented as part of England’s (Britain’s) heritage.
Perhaps I’m getting old but the pictures from Stonehenge always seem vaguely depressing, in some cases the triumph of substance over mind, whereas Manhattanhenge, which has far less and yet ultimately far greater tradition attached to it, looks genuinely joyful. I know we can’t ask EH to undertake social engineering but maybe they could add a couple of pictures of solstice celebrations beyond Wiltshire? It might stimulate more – and if they were in the Manhattanhenge tradition, good!
13/11/2013 at 20:16
sarahmay500
agreed, they could start by showing solstice at other EH sites. But I still think we’re better off not relying on them for anything like this, Simon Thurley doesn’t even know what intangible heritage is
13/11/2013 at 21:16
heritageaction
Maybe we could at least suggest they put up some details before and some photographs after of the forthcoming lantern procession?