Looking back to war victory speech and celebrations
The Bafta awards will recognise some of the biggest shows on the small screen on Sunday – and it’s also the week of a wartime anniversary. Laura Drysdale reports.
ANNIVERSARY
“THIS IS your victory. It is the victory of the cause of freedom in every land. In all our long history we have never seen a greater day than this. Everyone, man or woman, has done their best. Everyone has tried.
“Neither the long years, nor the dangers, nor the fierce attacks of the enemy, have in any way weakened the unbending resolve of the British nation.”
It will be 74 years this week since then Prime Minister Winston Churchill made his ‘this is your victory’ speech to VE day crowds that had gathered in the capital.
Victory in Europe Day – May 8, 1945 – was the date of jubilant celebrations across the nation to mark the Second World War Allies accepting the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany.
But in spite of the relief, the fiveyear long conflict, in which thousands were killed, did not come to an end for another three months.
The memorable date of VE day is not the only anniversary this week. Saturday – May 11 – marks nine years since the founding of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition of 2010, after no party won an overall majority in that year’s General Election.
It was the first coalition Government in the UK since the Second World War and saw David Cameron take office as Prime Minister, with Nick Clegg as deputy.
HORSE SHOW
CONTINUING WITH wartime connections, the Royal Windsor Horse Show will take place this week, from May 8 to 12. The event first started in 1943 to help raise funds for the war effort.
Its debut was attended by members of the Royal Family including King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the mother of today’s Queen) and has continued to attract the royals, including The Duke of Edinburgh, who retired from competing in 2003, and Her Majesty, who has entered many homebred horses and ponies.
The first even helped to raise nearly £400,000 – enough money to buy 78 Typhoon fighter aircraft.
Today, it is now the only show in the UK to host international competitions in show jumping, dressage, driving and endurance.
A WHOLE NEW WORLD
THE EUROPEAN gala screening of Aladdin is planned to go ahead in Leicester Square, London on Thursday.
The live-action retelling of the 1992 Disney classic stars Mena Massoud as street hustler Aladdin, Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine and Will Smith as the larger-than-life Genie. Directed by Guy Ritchie, the film will be released into cinemas later this month.
AWARDS
FROM THE big screen to the small... Sunday will see the return of the Bafta annual television awards. The glitzy ceremony will reward the very best of what has been broadcast to viewers across the country.
Drama series Killing Eve is nominated in six categories, with stars Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh both in the running for leading actress, whilst A Very English Scandal has racked up four nominations, including mini series and leading actor. The awards will be broadcast from 8pm on BBC One.
FESTIVAL
AFTER A 10-day programme of speakers, debates from sport to politics, art installations and music the Leeds International Festival will draw to a close on Sunday.
Events are continuing to take place this week with highlights including Bradford doctor Almas Ahmed sharing the story of how she chose to confront the scourge of acid attacks by becoming the inventor of the world’s first acid-proof make-up and an evening of punk poetry featuring John Cooper Clarke.