The Last Night of the Proms: Jingoism or patriotism?

Clearly, and perhaps sadly, overt patriotism and the arts in this country make strange and uncomfortable bedfellows, writes David Lister

Since 2016, both the union flag and the EU flag have been waved at the Last Night of the Proms (Shutterstock)

The Last Night of the Proms has long been celebrated as a night not just of great music, but of communal excitement, “Land of Hope and Glory”, flag-waving and unabashed patriotism. And all of it on primetime television. It is only in relatively recent times that doubt has been cast, with the word “jingoism” replacing “patriotism”, as skeptical accusations began to surface, often from celebrated and highly respected names. Even before the celebration begins on Saturday, one of the most esteemed conductors in the world, Britain’s Sir Simon Rattle, cast a dampener on proceedings.

“I never conducted the last night,” he told Radio Times. “I always avoided it a bit. I’ve been uneasy about some of the jingoistic elements, ever since the Falklands in 1982.”