The Barton Arcade was built in 1871 and I imagine the jingoism around the union flag raising we see here would not have been out of place back then. Likewise in other years that royal occassions were marked, such as Queen Victoria's jubilees in 1887 and 1897.
I'd surmise that there was also much celebrating and flag waving in here after the British Empire's triumphs in the Boer wars of 1881 and 1902. Yet here we are 140 years on and, while so much has changed, some attitudes around nationalism still remain entrenched in a distant past... A lovely building though.
Linking today to the Ruby Tuesday blog. My apologies for not being able to comment on people's blogs the past few days. I am travelling a lot with work this week too with little internet access, but will catch up when I back on terra firma ;-)
They're allowed a bit of jingoism in a jubilee year! And this has nothing on a normal American holiday. :)
ReplyDeleteun beau bâtiment, un peu trop de drapeaux pour mon goût
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing the arcades in Manchester when I'm there later this year. You can't beat a bit of Victorian jingoism!
ReplyDeleteSorry as a Mancunian living in South Africa have to admit we lost the 1st one in 1881 but won the replay
ReplyDeletePaul Allen
It's an old building, with lots of history!I love this picture with all beautiful flags!
ReplyDeleteLéia
gee they really need to hang some banners and flags ;)
ReplyDeletebeautiful old building
I have to say I'm not much of a fan of all the banners, takes away from the building's style
our town hall is a lovely building that they're always draping too much on
This is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, 100% british.
ReplyDeleteLove it!! I so long when people are patriotic!
ReplyDeleteso veddy English....your commentary was interesting, too
ReplyDeleteGoodness, the Victorian builders did love their ornate curly brackets and plaster lions, very empire!
ReplyDeleteLove those Union Jacks!
ReplyDeleteRed Buckwheat Blossoms
Beautifully captured!
ReplyDeleteWould you come and comment on my Ruby Tuesday post? Thanks!
Just gorgeous! Visiting from ruby Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteYour comment on my Ruby Tuesday post would mean a lot!