2024.02.19
English Day – January 26th 2024
January twenty-sixth was our final English Day of the school year. As this day was the day after Burns Night – a famous day in Scotland – I decided to talk introduce some of the people, places and culture of the most northern country in the United Kingdom.
I began by introducing two beautiful and famous Scottish places, Loch Ness and the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Both of these are historically picturesque but they have also become very famous for reasons other than their beauty. Loch Ness became famous after a man took a photo of the lake on his way home from church in 1933. After developing the photo, the man noticed what looked like a monster sticking its head out of the water. He sent the photo to a newspaper and ever since people have flocked to Loch Ness to try to get a look at the so-called Loch Ness Monster or Nessie. The Glenfinnan Viaduct was always a beautiful bridge but it became even more famous when it was used in the Harry Potter movies as part of the trainline that the Hogwarts Express ran on.
Scotland has also been home to many famous people over the years. John Logie Baird, the inventor of the television and Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone are both from Scotland. JM Barrie, who wrote the original Peter Pan books is also a famous former resident of Scotland. JM Barrie recognised how popular the Peter Pan character was and before he died he gave the rights to the character to Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. Now, every piece of Peter Pan merchandise that is sold goes toward helping children in the hospital.
I also mentioned Auld Lang Syne which is the song that has the same tune as 蛍の光 in Japan. This is a famous Scottish song that is sung all over the world. I am always amazed at how popular this song is in Japan but I must admit I was surprised when I heard it at the close of business in a Japanese department store.
It was great to talk to everyone about Scotland and I hope the students were interested in the topics I introduced. As we continue to return to a more normal way of life following the end of the coronavirus pandemic, I hope more students have the chance to travel abroad and visit beautiful places like Scotland.
I also mentioned Auld Lang Syne which is the song that has the same tune as 蛍の光 in Japan. This is a famous Scottish song that is sung all over the world. I am always amazed at how popular this song is in Japan but I must admit I was surprised when I heard it at the close of business in a Japanese department store.
It was great to talk to everyone about Scotland and I hope the students were interested in the topics I introduced. As we continue to return to a more normal way of life following the end of the coronavirus pandemic, I hope more students have the chance to travel abroad and visit beautiful places like Scotland.
