Tag: Tradition
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School tries (and fails) to ban Christmas
Has the meaning of Christmas been lost? Lady Lumley’s School reversed its decision to ban festivities after more than 500 pupils wrote letters arguing that the holiday is still valuable.
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Corbyn: ‘Make Saints’ Days public holidays’
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has proposed four new bank holidays for Britain —one for each UK patron saint. Would these occasions strengthen patriotism and unity, or perhaps the opposite?
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Row over ‘distasteful’ Halloween costumes
Acid attack survivor Katie Piper has slammed people who dress up with realistic cuts and burns for Halloween. ‘It’s distasteful and offensive’, she says. Do ‘bad taste’ costumes go too far?
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Happy new year! Time for some monkey business
Today marks China’s biggest festival: the first day of the new lunar year. The mischievous Fire Monkey could bring lots of surprises throughout 2016 — if you believe in astrology, that is.
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Ashes contest draws on years of tradition
One of cricket’s fiercest rivalries will recommence in Cardiff today in front of a sell-out crowd. But can a traditional five-day game survive in the fast-paced modern world?
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Forecasters fuel hopes for a white Christmas
While the Met says it cannot be certain, there is a chance that Britain may see a relatively rare white Christmas this year. How and why is snow part of our Christmas tradition?
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Pamplona bull run ‘selfie’ angers officials
The annual Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, draws tens of thousands of spectators each year. But is risking injury and death with these animals a show of bravery or just stupidity?
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‘Siberian hunters have the secret of happiness’
Director Werner Herzog has labelled Siberian trappers ‘happy people’, while Indian judges ban contact with a tribal society. Are pre-modern lifestyles worth protecting?
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Haggis, kilts and reels for a very Scottish night
Tonight, Scots all over the world will raise a dram to national poet Robert Burns. The night is a celebration of Scottish culture but how important is this party to national identity?
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Britain celebrates Queen on Diamond Jubilee
When King George VI died sixty years ago, his daughter, Elizabeth, became Queen. This weekend, we celebrate her Diamond Jubilee. But who is the woman behind the crown?
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Philosopher’s book aims to end ‘God Wars’
In recent years, fierce debates have divided passionate atheists from firm believers. Now famous thinker Alain de Botton has provoked a storm of debate by suggesting a ‘middle way’.
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Be my Valentine! Maybe, but what do you mean?
It's the day for cupid cards, red roses and wild expressions of love. But though it's a single word, love has many forms. What's yours called?
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Sumo combat seeks to wrestle back its honour
It's Japan's national sport with religious roots. But match-fixing scandals have left Sumo stunned. Can the sport pick itself up off the mat?
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The poet may know it when others blow it
This week, the Scots drank to the poet Robert Burns and Derek Walcott won the TS Eliot prize. Now poetry wants to give St George a makeover.
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Make-up! Lipstick! Mirrors! And ‘Mr Sahara’
It’s a beauty contest with a difference. The men dress up and the women judge. Poverty and bling meet in the deserts of West Africa.