Family traditions (Eng)

I watched local news today. As you imagine in UK, as in any other country, it is not about Iraq, interest rate being increased or visit of the President/Prime Minister to the US. It’s about murder in the local town, children in nursery being introduced to the exotic animals (like lizards) or rap song about daffodils to attract youth to the local not quite inspiring resort. I can see the point of making the news really local and cozy. But there was a bit of more astonishment today.

There was a story from the local church covering wedding ceremony. It was performed by the priest (woman by the way – sorry, but I still can’t get used to this), with all prescribed ceremonies, so everything looked fine. Except that the bride and groom were both of age of five… I first thought it’s some kind of play in the primary school. But not, it was in the church indeed: with the vowels, rings, veil, top hat, guests and stuff. There was reception afterwards with the cake and first dance. No champagne though – what a blow!

For me it was very unusual situation. The logic behind was that the modern children in UK don’t go to church; don’t know what it is for; what are the ceremonies to be performed in it. In order to bring them closer to the traditions they did this little ‘performance’ so the kids would see all the things their parents and grandparents were obliged to participate in their childhood.

Good and wise idea. But the way it was done really shocked me. Maybe because I am from different country? Actually in Ukraine religion was prohibited for 70 years and we are really re-discovering it now (so majority of people might not know all the ceremonies and rules). However it is in the blood or something. I just recall my younger cousins in Lviv being present at weddings and funerals (as well as baptizing, first communion, etc.) since the early years (I was deprived from that living in the capital of Soviet Ukraine). So luckily enough they don’t need this kind of lessons at school. I think this is a good illustration of the difference between the family dynamics and philosophies in our two countries.

Though it was the marriage without consequences – only for one day. They didn’t go for a honey moon… They didn’t even like each other (usual question ‘Do you like girls?’ – ‘No’; ‘Do you like boys?’ – ‘No’). The fact is that these kids will have really big story to tell from their childhood in several years time :-)