FlexiLingo
Lest We Forget: The Poppy & Remembrance Day in Ireland
- History
Every November, the Royal British Legion organises remembrance ceremonies and millions of people wear red poppies. Often portrayed as a way to remember the dead of the World Wars, these commemorations have a far more complicated history in Ireland and Britain. They have been contested since their inception. In the 1920s, remembrance ceremonies in Dublin became a focus for unionist demonstrations after independence, provoking considerable unrest. During the Troubles, commemorations honouring the British armed forces became contentious in new ways given the British Army’s role in the conflict in the North. In th...
Opens the player: the full transcript, every word clickable, with translation and flashcards.
Is this episode right for you?
B2 · Upper-intermediate
Comfortable if you already follow TV news
- 73% of the words are B1 or easier.
- 179 words a minute: natural, fairly fast speech.
- 255 harder words (B2 and up) in the whole episode.
Try it: tap any word
Real sentences from the start of this episode. Every word is marked with its level.
provoking outbreaks of violence. During the Troubles, commemorations honouring the British
,
the conflict in the North. This podcast explores the history behind what are now known as Remembrance
Tap a word to see its meaning in your language.
Do you know these words?
8 harder words from this episode. Tap one to see what it means, then mark it.
Mark a few words and we'll tell you how this episode fits your level.
Is this episode right for you?
B2 · Upper-intermediate
Comfortable if you already follow TV news
- 73% of the words are B1 or easier.
- 179 words a minute: natural, fairly fast speech.
- 255 harder words (B2 and up) in the whole episode.
Transcript
The opening of the episode. The whole transcript is in the player.
harder words (B2+)
Every November, the Royal British Legion organises remembrance ceremonies and festivals. Perhaps the most potent symbol of this is the red poppy which people across Britain and indeed increasingly Ireland, where in their millions. This is often portrayed as a way to remember the dead of the world wars, but these commemorations
have a far more complicated history in Ireland and indeed Britain. Intrinsically linked to the British military, they have been contested since their inception. In the 1920s, remembrance ceremonies in Dublin became the focus for unionist demonstrations after independence, provoking outbreaks of violence. During the Troubles, commemorations honouring the British
Armed Forces were again seen in contentious terms, given the British Army's role in the conflict in the North. This podcast explores the history behind what are now known as Remembrance Festivals, revealing how and why they remain so controversial in Ireland and indeed for Irish people in Britain today.
That was the opening. The rest of the episode (55 min) is in the player: every word clickable, with translation, saved words and flashcards.
Continue in the playerAutomatically generated from the audio. May contain errors. Audio belongs to its publisher and is played from their feed. Rights holders can request removal — copyright & takedown policy