2014 marks 100 years since the outbreak of WWI.
In Britain, and many other countries, centenary events are planned. The UK Prime Minister has approved 50 million pounds to celebrate first world war battles such as the Somme, Gallipoli and Passchendaele. He has even appointed a government minister for remembering the first world war. Further funding is coming from the UK National Lottery.
Australia is said to have set aside the equivalent of 84 million pounds to commemorate the 1914-18 war.
Germany on the other hand is being criticised by other nations for not allocating enough funding.
Critics claim that commemorative events glorify war, highlighting the cruelty and the horror. For others it is an opportunity to celebrate the lives of those involved; the ones who returned and the ones who did not; and to be grateful for our freedom.
Can respect be shown for fallen soldiers without these commemorations? Are there more creative ways of not forgetting while also looking ahead?
Do we need to relive war to remind us to strive for peace or could the money be better spent implementing peace initiatives?
Read more here:
www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/100-years-later-wwi-sparks-a-new-battle-in-britain/2014/02/10... www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/02/germany-plans-first-world-war-centenary If you were a fallen soldier from WWI what would you make of the centenary commemorations? Have a think while you listen to this clip:
It is proposed that more of the funding available for the WWI centenary should be spent on implementing peace initiatives then on commemorating the past