Discurso de Lula da Silva (excerto)


terça-feira, 2 de agosto de 2011

Britannia e John Bull

St George's Cross. The Flag of England.
England is part of both Great Britain and the United Kingdom. It covers a total area of 130,478 square kilometres  - 57 per cent of the whole island, and its capital is London. England is divided into 34 counties. The population of England is 50,762,900 (2006). The overall population density of 376 persons/square kilometre is one of the highest in the world.

The national emblem of England is the Rose. Just as the United States is personified as Uncle Sam, so England often appears in caricature as either'Britannia', a heroic female figure holding a trident (the symbol of sea power), or as 'John Bull' a good­humoured, well-fed country gentleman personifying determination and common sense. The patron saint of England is St George, whose feast is celebrated on 23 April (also Shakespeare's birthday).

John Bull
Britannia is the name that the Romans gave to their southern British province (which covered, approximately, the area of present-day England). It is also the name given to the female emhodimont of Britain, always shown wearing a helmet and holding a trident (the symbol of power over the sea), hence the patriotic song which begins 'Rule Britannia, Britannia rule the waves'. The figure of Britannia has been on the reverse side of many British coins for more than 300 years.
John Bull is a fictional character who is supposed to personify linglishness and certain English virtues. (He can be compared to Uncle Sam in the USA.) He features in hundreds of nineteenth century cartoons. His appearance is typical of an eighteenth century country gentleman, evoking an idyllic rural past.

Where Britain is divided into four separate countries, England itself is made up of four quite distinctive areas - The South of England, Heart of England, East of England, and England's North Country - each offering something unique and exciting: majestic moorland and craggy peaks, lush green fields and fens, wide sandy beaches and quaint fishing villages. But England is not just countryside–there are elegant, refined and historic cities with Roman, Georgian, Tudor and Victorian influences; architectural splendors; university cities; cathedral cities and other vibrant, exciting cities with museums, art galleries, modern trendy restaurants, nightlife and some amazing theater. Whatever quintessentially English characteristic you crave - afternoon tea, cricket on the village green, a walk along the promenade or great theater and shopping - England has something for everyone.

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