Hello booklovers,

The 11th advent door holds a much loved festive tune, paired with a poignant message thanks to Mike, newcomer to the festival.

Mike writes…

‘Let’s face it, the real hero of the festive period isn’t Santa Claus, it’s Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Without that slightly mutated young buck jumping to the rescue on that ever so foggy Christmas Eve, Santa could have been lynched. In essence, Rudolph single hoofedly saves Christmas. And that is why this song is still so beloved today despite being written over eighty years ago. It appeals to that very British love of the underdog, one that overcomes adversity, comes to recognise his true potential and achieves greatness.

What’s not to love about this heartening tale? Apart from the faint possibility that Santa is an exploitative tyrant who only uses Rudolph to further his own ends, not much. Even today the merry tune contains quite a few moralising and meaningful lessons. Namely, that it is wrong to judge others based on their differences. For those who are bullied, teased and treated like outcasts for being considered weird, dorky or a loser is sadly still too often an occurrence for many children. A prime example is the recent footage on social media of a fifteen year old Syrian refugee being water boarded by another pupil at a school in Huddersfield. The boy’s left wrist is already encased in a plaster cast, the result of a previous attack. Clearly, there is a need for both children and adults to learn the value of showing kindness to others. This message hasn’t been lost. Indeed, over £130,000 has been raised for the Syrian boy by the general public since the assault. We should not overlook the simplicity of this Christmas fable in showing us the nastiness of bigotry and prejudice and the import of embracing diversity.’

Christmas is certainly a time to reflect on the year that has passed and what we can do to make the next one better.

All the very festive best, until tomorrow!

Hello booklovers,

I don’t know about you, but I have really been enjoying the contributions from our lovely volunteers and committee members over the past week or so. Today it’s over to me to pick your carol for today and I have selected ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’.

Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King…

All I have to do is hear these words and feel festive. With lyrics written by Charles Wesley, this carol first appeared on the festive scene in 1739 in a collection named Hymns and Sacred Poems, under the title ‘Hymn for Christmas Day’.Wesley actually wanted a slow and solemn tune to accompany his lyrics, completely contrasting the rallying and uplifting music that we all know and love. Let’s face it Charles, Christmas is not a time for solemnity. So thank goodness for English musician William H. Cummings who adapted a tune by Felix Mendelssohn to fit Wesley’s lyrics. I must warn you all, that descant is not to be attempted by amateurs who wish to be taken at all seriously – case in point, myself and a few friends heading attending our University carol service, attempting to sing the descant of the final verse of Hark the Herald Angels Sing… cue much voice straining and embarrassment that no amount of mince pies afterwards can cure. Still a happy memory, regardless of the musical shame!

Angels seem to be a particular favourite craft activity from my childhood. We have many ‘angels’ (I use the term tentatively) kicking about, lovingly hand made from elderly gold tissue paper and lace doilies, clinging on to the twenty year old glue holding them together. My lovely mum relentlessly brings out my brother’s ‘Scary Angel’ from the loft every year to put on display with all our other, much nicer, much classier, Christmas decorations. His earliest craft effort is living proof that, from the tender age of five, he was not destined to be an artist.

On that happy note, have a listen to the video below for pure, classy, festive caroling joy.

 

All the very best, booklovers, until tomorrow!

Imogen x

Illustration courtesy of Margaret Tarrant, ‘Christmas Tree Angel’ circa 1920s

Hello booklovers!

The moment you have been waiting for has arrived – the conclusion to Hattie’s wonderful piece all about ‘When Santa got Stuck up the Chimney’. Hattie touches on a childhood scene which I think we could all relate to at some point in our school days!

Hattie writes…

‘When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney – Part Two

Having devoted far too many hours trying to locate the musical genius who brought this Christmas classic into being, I fell to musing instead about my own first encounter with the song.

I was, I think, about four or five – that most impressionable of ages, when sleeping on Christmas Eve is akin to man’s first ascent of Everest. And exactly the age when the school Christmas show is a deadly serious part of the curriculum.

That year, some wise teacher plumped for a medley of songs rather than the standard Nativity. So we not only had the usual singing Shepherds, Kings, and Little Donkeys – we also had The Twelve Days Of Christmas in human children form (my younger brother was a Gold Ring) and various small and vicious reindeers definitely not letting poor Rudolph join in any of their reindeer-games.

And me? Well, there was an industrial-size cardboard box painted to look like a chimney, and a boy from the year above dressed as Santa with a pillow stuffed down his shirt – but most importantly of all (I was assured) were the Girls and Boys who, woken by Santa’s shout, endeavour to Pull Him Out. Yes, that was me. When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney was my stage-début.

And was a star born that night? Well, not quite – despite all the glitz and excitement of the show, I was, I confess, mostly preoccupied about exactly why I was wearing pyjamas at school.’

What a wonderful memory. To conclude our Father Christmas celebration, I have one more literary recommendation for you – Father Christmas’s Last Present by Marie-Aude Murail and Elvire Murail, with beautiful illustrations by Quentin Blake. Exploring growing up, childhood and belief in wonderful things, this story is a Christmas necessity in our house.

Yuletide felicitations, until tomorrow! x

Hello booklovers,

We have had a whole week of our advent celebrations so far – time is flying by! To mark a whole week of opening calendar doors, we present to you our first ever ‘carol a day’ two parter! Bringing us this fascinating facsimile of the story behind everyone’s favourite childhood classic ‘When Santa got Stuck up the Chimney’ is fabulous festival volunteer Hattie. Read on for some weekend festive fun!

Hattie writes…

‘When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney – Part One

Turns out it’s harder than you might think to track down the origins of this Christmas classic…

The search began harmlessly enough: apparently, presents have been dropped down Eastern European chimneys since the 14^th century. Fair enough. But did you know it wasn’t until the 1800s, that Santa decided to take the plunge into the chimney pipe for himself? Santa’s first chimney-dive was recorded by Washington Irving in 1809 – no mention of being stuck, though.

So far, so good. Then I reached murkier waters. The dreaded name issue. Saint Nicolas becomes Sinterklaas becomes Santa Claus. Simple, right? Well, not to when it comes to chimneys and being stuck. Let’s start with the fact that both Saint Nick and Sinterklaas are always depicted as far too slim and dignified to go around getting stuck in chimneys. For plumpness and jollity, we must turn instead to that good old British counterpart, Father Christmas. But it doesn’t end there – it seems Father Christmas only gets his rotundity from the Norse god Odin, in his fat, bearded Christmas guise as Jul. So there we are.

Except there’s also a Dutch character, Zwart Piet, or Black Pete. Chimneys abound here: Black Pete both listens at chimneys for whether children have been naughty or nice, and has black skin as a result of – you guessed it – chimney soot.

By this point, I, like Santa, was beginning to wonder whether I’d ever get to the bottom of this particular chimney. It was when I found myself reading an article describing various incidents of real people getting stuck in real chimneys and dying accordingly (positional asphyxia, anyone?) – that I decided it was high time for retreat. I guess Santa will have to stay mysteriously stuck for another year.’

If Hattie’s choice has whet your appetite for some Father Christmas themed stories, then why not try Letters from Father Christmas by J. R. R. Tolkien? Whimsical, adorable and a little bit frightening in places, this is perfect for those Christmas evenings.

Prepare yourselves for part two tomorrow dear booklovers!

Hello booklovers,

It’s the seventh of December already! Behind today’s Advent door we have one of our most beautiful and much loved carols, ‘Silent Night’. Our wonderful committee member and festival volunteer Hannah offers a literary twist on this peaceful tune.

Hannah writes…

‘Silent Night has always been a favourite carol of mine. Its beauty is in its simplicity. The calming, lullaby melody is a contrast to the bold imagery of the lyrics. We have shepherds quaking, glories streaming and heavenly hosts singing – one suspects the first christmas wasn’t so silent!

This year, in which we have marked the centenary of the end of the First World War, I can’t help but think of the miraculous moment just over 104 years ago when this peaceful, unassuming carol sparked precious hours of silence from the usual gunfire. The Christmas Day Truce is documented in many books but there are two gorgeous little ones that I like to pull down from my bookshelf each year.

The first of these is The Best Christmas Present in the World by that giant of children’s literature, Michael Morpurgo, and illustrated by Michael Foreman. This tells the story of a man who purchases an old roll-top desk and dislodges a jammed drawer to find a letter written by a young soldier to his sweetheart back home in England. His letter tells of the truce of Christmas 1914 and it is written in such a way that even young children will understand. It’s a beautiful, poignant tale with lovely illustrations.

My second recommendation is Carol Ann Duffy’s The Christmas Truce. This is one of Duffy’s little, square festive poetry books, which make perfect stocking fillers. Each book has a different illustrator who brings a whole new feeling to the work. This one is illustrated by David Roberts whose pictures are at both childlike and haunting. Our Poet Laureate’s verse is, of course, completely on point, with not a word wasted:

“Men who would drown in mud, be gassed, or shot,

Or vaporised

By falling shells, or live to tell,

Heard for the first time then –

Stille Nacht. Heilige Nacht. Alles schläft, einsam wacht…

Cariad, the song was a sudden bridge

From man to man;

A gift to the heart from home,

Or childhood, some places shared…

When it was done, the British soldiers cheered.”’

Yuletide wishes, until tomorrow x

Hello booklovers,

On day 6 of Advent we turn to a more traditional and perhaps lesser known carol. Visitor to the book festival Andrew has chosen to write about a carol from his childhood, ‘Three Kings from Persian Lands Afar’.

Andrew writes…

‘Back in the dark and distant seventies a new science teacher arrived at the school that I was attending.  As teachers went he seemed OK; he had a reasonably good relationship with us, his students, though he was perhaps a little ‘free’ with his power to send those less well behaved amongst us to discuss our misdemeanours with the terrifying ‘Sandy’, founder and head teacher of the school.  But in the Christmas Concert that year in the local church Mr Scott’s ‘superhero power’ became apparent: boy oh boy could he sing!  His solo performance of ‘Three Kings from Persian lands afar’ was the first time I had heard this carol and it had a big impact on me – in part because I was entranced by the beauty of the carol itself, but it was also the shock of discovering that our really rather normal science teacher could produce such a beautiful sound!  To this day it is one of my favourite carols.

Doing a bit of digging on the interweb I’ve discovered that it is actually a German carol (why are all German carols so good?!).  One Peter Cornelius penned it in 1856 as part of his ‘Weihnachtslieder, Opus 8’.  ‘Drie Kon’ge wandern aus Morgenland …’ (which I would have said means ‘Three kings hiking from the East’ – but that’ll be why my career as a translator has not taken off!)

Hoping you’re enjoying Advent at least as much as I am!’

Festive and bookish best, until tomorrow!

 

Hello booklovers,

Today we are giving you something a little different! Anna, another fantastic committee member, presents us with Sir Paul McCartney’s festive hit ‘Pipes of Peace’. Whilst always a favourite in Anna’s family, the link between the song and the centenary of the end of the First World War makes ‘Pipes of Peace’ is particularly relevant in 2018.

Anna writes…

‘In my late teenage years, the Christmas of 1983 was memorable for a number of reasons, not least as the beginning of my sometimes wobbly tour through the trials, tribulations and immense joys, of life at university. But at this point also, when Top of the Pops was still the must see programme on the telly on a Thursday, Paul McCartney produced another classic song and an epic video (even in an era of great videos, this was the 80s remember) to go with it, and in the process, united two particular interests of mine at the time, I was a big fan of Paul McCartney, and of First World War poetry, and there they were both together in this song. The tune has a festive feel anyway, but the subject matter; messages of harmony and reconciliation,  coupled with the video, depicting a version of the famous truce of Christmas Eve 1914, bringing British and German soldiers together in peace, for a few hours, was very powerful to my eyes.

Obviously over the last few years we have become much more familiar with images from the First World War, as we have been commemorating the 100 years anniversary, but in 1983, such depictions were not so common, and I found the season, the song, and the vivid imagery of the video, all to be immensely affecting at that time, which was a period of great change for me anyway. To me this is a Christmas song that in the best tradition of such music, mixes a bit of whimsey and a catchy tune, with a much deeper message. It reminds me personally of a particular Christmas, after which my life took the course which has brought me to where I am today. But you don’t have to be a fan of Sir Paul,to admire the sentiment, or the timeless quality of his Pipes of Peace, particularly in the run up to Christmas 2018, and remembering 100 years ago.’

Food for thought, wouldn’t you agree? Have a listen to this wonderful tune via the video below…

Christmassy wishes until tomorrow! x

Hello booklovers,

I very much hope that you are enjoying the musical treats brought to you by our ‘carol a day’ advent calendar. Our contribution for December the 4th comes from another brilliant member of the Felixstowe Book Festival committee, Birgit, who has picked ‘O Christmas Tree’ as her choice of carol.

Birgit writes…

‘Over the years that I have lived in this country, stood at the light switch on in our little seaside town and listened to the Salvation Army band leading the frozen people through songs and carols, I realised one thing: English Christmas Songs seem so much more joyful than German ones.  Christmas service is a rather solemn affair in Germany. The songs are slow and depressing and not joyful and hopeful like so many British ones. 

I was asked to pick my favourite song and this has to be ‘Silent Night’. I like this one that made the jump across the channel (probably courtesy of Prince Albert I suspect, like real Christmas trees). Another Christmas song that I would like to mention and that is quite possibly also a ‘present’ of dear Albert, is ‘O Christmas Tree’. One has to ask oneself ‘why are we singing to a tree?’ Any other time of the year we would get very strange looks if we stood singing at a tree. But at Christmas it seems a perfectly normal thing to do. It is as if the normal rules don’t apply at Christmas. Interestingly the original song is a German Folk song that can be traced back around 500 years and has no religious lyrics but over the years the words have changed and these days a religious meaning has been added. The original lyrics talk about how we can learn resistance, trust and hope from the tree that stays green all year round, covered under snow and ice not giving up, waiting for the next spring. Personally I feel that is a good Christmas lesson too.

Frohe Weihnachten!’

Festive wishes to all, keep your eyes peeled for tomorrow’s entry! x

Hello booklovers,

On day three of our advent celebration we have Viv, another fab committee member, bringing us ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’.

Viv writes…

‘This is a Christmas song written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane for the 1944 movie ‘Meet me in St Louis’. Judy Garland sings the song to her young sister who is distraught at the family’s plans to move to New York City, leaving behind their home in St Louis, Missouri.

It has a haunting melody and has been recorded over the years by various artists, the latest of whom is Sam Smith. For me it echoes the mixed emotions of Christmas, reflecting past troubles and putting them aside for the season, opening up to the joy of Christmas, being with people we love and looking to the future.

It is a time for remembering those who are no longer with us and for giving to those less fortunate than ourselves both at home and abroad,  but also enjoying the company of grandchildren and seeing the wonder in their eyes. Christmas is about the joys of giving rather than receiving; the religious significance, not the commercialism and remembering to ‘Have yourself a Merry little Christmas’ despite all our troubles, whatever they might be.’

All the very festive best, until tomorrow!

Hello booklovers,

Today marks my own contribution to our advent calendar, my festive choice being ‘The Sussex Carol’.

‘On Christmas Night all Christians sing…’

When I was small, a favourite Christmas film of mine was an animation of The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter, which I would annually watch with my grandma. The film starts with Miss Potter (portrayed by Niamh Cusack) preparing for Christmas. She lights candles with tapers by her twinkling Christmas tree, as her maid bustles about sorting the festivities. To this day, this depiction of Beatrix Potter’s front room has been my ultimate image of a Victorian Christmas. A troupe of children playing violins and singing appear at the door and are greeted with a plate of mince pies adorned with a sprig of evergreen – the carol they sing is The Sussex Carol. 

The lyrics to this joyful tune first appeared in 1684 in a text named ‘Small Garland of Pious and Godly Songs’. The music most commonly heard today was completed by much loved composer Ralph Vaughn Williams, who composed many of our most popular carols. The Sussex Carol is often performed at the King’s College ‘Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols’ on Christmas Eve, marking the end of Advent and the start of the Christmas festivities.

On hearing this song I am transported back to being a small child, safe and content in the company of a much loved grandma and in the world of a much loved children’s author, waiting for the excitement and joy that Christmas brings. Whilst everything else around me changes, the music stays the same old beautiful tune it has always been.

Follow the link below to have a listen to this joyful and uplifting piece of music – happy carolling!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAjHi8Lbgo4

Imogen x