What are torchlight processions?

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:45

Probably, each of us at least once in our lives heard about events such as torchlight processions. But to define this concept, it turns out, is not so simple. What do the people proudly marching in the column want to demonstrate? Why are they carrying fire? And why are they gathering at such a late hour?

This article will tell not only what torchlight processions are, but also acquaint readers with the history of their occurrence and traditions.

Also, in a separate part, examples of such events taking place today will be given.

Section 1. What are torchlight processions? General definition of the concept

As a matter of fact, the familiar word “torch” to all of us is derived from German. It has firmly taken root in our native Russian language, and therefore does not require additional translation.

Everyone imagines what a kind of lamp looks like, capable of illuminating an area in an open place for quite a long time.

In turn, today parades with fire are an eventuniting a multitude of people gathering in columns. A lit torch must be present in the hand of each participant in the holiday. As a rule, they all march together in order to honor the memory of a particular event.

Section 2. When did torchlight processions appear?

The first tradition associated with the so-called habit of wandering around the city, holding fire in hand, originated in ancient Greece. Scaring away evil spirits from their grape and olive seedlings, the ancient Greeks walked around with lit torches.

A little later, such devices began to be used as a projectile in sports. If a participant could run a distance with a torch without extinguishing a brightly burning fire, he automatically became the winner. And the ancients - both the Romans and the Greeks - lit torches in the house of the newlyweds. At that time, the inhabitants believed that the god Hymen transfers this fire to the newly-made bridegroom.

In the Middle Ages in England, the word "torch" meant "a feeling of boundless love", and the phrase "to carry a torch", which literally translates as "to carry a torch", is still interpreted in colloquial English as "to fall in love” or “to be crazy about someone.”

In France, when the first Sunday of Lent comes, the peasants make a similar detour among the fruit trees so that they, the trees, supposedly frightened, would give more fruit. By the way, it was France that gave the Statue of Liberty with a torch in its hand to America.

Modern Europe is actually eventfulof such kind. Although not all of them are positive. In Germany, for example, the fascist parade on the day when Adolf Hitler was appointed Reich Chancellor is most often associated with the torchlight procession.

Section 3. Famous torchlight processions in the world

If we talk about such "walks", it is impossible not to mention Italy, in particular the city of Agnone (in the province of Isernia). Every year on Christmas Eve, a torchlight procession takes place here, the scenario of which is drawn up long before the event itself. The Italians adopted this tradition from the inhabitants of Ancient Rome, who, on the eve of one of the main holidays of the country, went to the temple and spent the whole night there in prayer-repentance. At that time, it was believed that this was the only way to scare away evil witches and spirits from sacred places. Now, of course, it's just a tribute to the medieval tradition.

By the way, not everyone knows that in Munich (Germany) there is a marriage agency, which to this day offers newlyweds torchlight processions in their honor. This service is very popular, as in most cases around the world, during the ceremonies of this kind, candles are still used.

In addition, torchlight processions are held in Austria and Germany in honor of the resignation of various political figures. This is how the people honor those people who made a special contribution to the development of the Bundeswehr.

On the territory of the Russian Federation and other CIS countries, such events are held infrequently. Is it a torchThe procession in Kerch with enviable regularity continues to delight both local residents and numerous guests of the city.

Section 4. City of Kerch. General Description

What do we know about this city? As a matter of fact, not so much. For example, the fact that it is located in the easternmost part of Crimea, in the steppe zone.

This is a place where courageous and courageous people live, who have more than once defended their small homeland against enemies. The last time it happened during the Great Patriotic War, after which the settlement, as you know, was awarded the title of Hero City.

Is this information too scarce? After all, you must admit that if a torchlight procession is already taking place in Kerch, then you need to know as much as possible about it. We don't have many cities like this.

So, Kerch is a city located in the east of Crimea. Among other things, it is also famous for its unique location. What is so unusual about it? The thing is that two seas are connected here - the Black and the Sea of Azov.

By the way, there are only ten kilometers from Kerch to Russia. Indeed, by sea. But still, it is much closer than to mainland Ukraine.

According to scientists, Kerch is one of the most ancient cities not only in its country, but in the whole world. In the 6th-7th centuries BC, Kerch was the capital of the Bosporan state and was called Panticapaeum.

Archaeological excavations are taking place here all the time, and to date, many valuable artifacts have already been found. And this, of course, is not the limit. Most antique items are kept inHermitage, St. Petersburg.

Torchlight procession… Kerch holds it annually. Why? Is this tradition also stretching from the time of ancient Rome? Indeed, given the considerable age of this city, even such a fact can be assumed.

Let's try to figure it out.

Section 5 Small Town Annual Celebration

For several years now, on the eve of Victory Day, May 8, an unusual, but very solemn parade has been held in Kerch.

This tradition originates in 1973, i.e. from the day the city was given the honorary status of a Hero.

In the evening, thousands of people who want to take part in the torchlight procession take to the streets, gather together, forming columns.

But the procession is by no means chaotic. First, all educational institutions, that is, schools, colleges, technical schools, institutes and universities, are lined up, then state institutions join them. At the end of the column are ordinary citizens, among whom, as practice shows, there are many who wish to take part in the ceremony.

As soon as dusk falls, people light torches and march through the central streets of Kerch straight to Mount Mithridates, where the Obelisk of Glory is located.

This action is followed by a huge number of people. Eyewitnesses claim that there are usually even more spectators than the participants themselves.

Having overcome more than four hundred steps, you can watch a theatrical performance dedicated to the memory of all those who died in the Great Patriotic War. The event always ends with a festivesalute.

Section 6. Feedback from participants

What was the torchlight procession in Kerch 2014 like? It turns out that they managed to organize it no worse than last year!

Those who happened to personally become a participant in this event claim that this year guests from all over the Crimea came to Kerch, there were also travelers from Russia and Ukraine. There are few foreigners, which, however, is not surprising, since this war of 1941-1945 affected our states more.

Despite the lack of funds, the city administration still managed to give everyone a real holiday.

According to activists, this tradition will exist for many more years, because the need for it was, is and, of course, will be. It is thanks to such holidays that generations come together, and young people are brought up in an atmosphere of pride for their country and their city.