PRODUCTS of the COMENIUS PROJECT: Aware of our culture roots, we create a colorful Europe: National days

Debate:

Summary of debate about national day celebrations in an international perspective

This debate took place the 18^th of May 2012 in the Comenius meeting in Trondheim, Norway. Both teachers and students participated in the debate. The day before this debate both teachers and students participated in Norway’s national day and could experience Norwegian culture.

This is a summary of the main points that were said during the debate. Prior to this debate the students from the different countries had a presentation about the celebration of the national day in their own country. Some wore traditional costumes; all groups had a Power Point presentation with an explanation of the nation’s history, how they celebrate the national day and the culture in their country.

Question raised to begin debate:

Should we celebrate a common human day instead of national days connected to countries?

· Many students say no. They think it is nice to see how other countries celebrate their own national day. They also think that being with family during such events are important. Such a day may unite the world.

· One student would like both alternatives, a common human day and national days, several seemed positive to this idea.

· A teacher added that it is nice to see how a nations culture can be seen on national days in e.g. national clothes and specific traditional foods.

· A Norwegian teacher adds to the discussion how the Norwegians have a current debate about the other nationalities in Norway. In the national parades that take place during 17^th of May only the Norwegian flag is allowed. But people argue that Norway is now a country where other nations are represented as well, and they should be allowed to celebrate the Norwegian national day with whatever flag they want to use. Being in the parade still is a celebration of Norway. She asks what the students think.

· One teacher thinks it is positive with multi cultures being visible in parade.

· Several students suggest it can bring everyone closer together, that different cultures are brought closer.

· One student say maybe the Norwegians would easier think about e.g. people with asylum in Norway and that they are far away from their families and cannot celebrate with them.

· One student mentions that all minorities should be welcomed, and should feel welcomed.

· Teacher says that parades have a positive aim. Flags can be good or bad, but it is positive if the attitude towards minorities is positive. Nations are formed by ethnic groups and flags shows and teaches us about culture.

New question:

Should military parades be a part of a national celebration?

· The students responded clearly that it should not. All the students agreed that the answer is no. They think the military is mean. Most nations celebrate national days, but many do not show off the military.

· One teacher uses North Korea as one example of negative display of military. But the military parade in India or France is not so negative as North Korea another teacher adds. In France Eva Joly tried to run for president, and she wanted to take out the military from the parade. The people responded by rage, and she did a poor election because of this. This shows that in France the military parade is a cherished tradition that represents their culture.

New question:

Is having a national day bad, is it a display that one nation considers itself better than the others?

· All children disagree on this perspective and say it is an internal celebration and not a competition.

· North Korea is an example of a negative attitude and they may see it this way.

· Another teacher tells about Poland many years ago. The regime there forced the people to display the strength of the nation, the people was forced to “show off”. The result is that many people in Poland are reserved when it comes to these types of days. So there is some misuse of national days.

· Another teacher states that a play is a good way of teaching people about national days and the historical events around it.