Feel Britannia: Anne McElvoy
SERIES: We ask journalist and broadcaster Anne McElvoy "What makes you feel emotional about Britain?"
Anne McElvoy
With all the rhetoric and Big Ideas surrounding the general election, Culture Whisper wanted to collect some of the little things that spark emotions about Britain.
In anticipation of May 7, we asked our favourite figures in the arts to tell us what makes Britain feel like home.
Anne McElvoy, journalist and broadcaster:
Kate Bush's Lionheart: ‘"It may be the creep of Scottish nationalism or the return of the beloved Banshee to the stage after a mere 35 years but Bush's "Oh England, My Lionheart" twangs the heartstring every time.
Not many songwriters could get away with hurling Shakespeare, Peter Pan, Spitfire pilots, shepherds and wassailing into the lyrics Magimix like KB. This Albion falls somewhere between CS Lewis and TS Eliot: 'Flapping umbrellas/fills the lanes/My London Bridge in rain again'. Give that woman a place on the poetry syllabus."
Anne McElvoy is a journalist and broadcaster for The Economist, Evening Standard and BBC
In anticipation of May 7, we asked our favourite figures in the arts to tell us what makes Britain feel like home.
Anne McElvoy, journalist and broadcaster:
Kate Bush's Lionheart: ‘"It may be the creep of Scottish nationalism or the return of the beloved Banshee to the stage after a mere 35 years but Bush's "Oh England, My Lionheart" twangs the heartstring every time.
Not many songwriters could get away with hurling Shakespeare, Peter Pan, Spitfire pilots, shepherds and wassailing into the lyrics Magimix like KB. This Albion falls somewhere between CS Lewis and TS Eliot: 'Flapping umbrellas/fills the lanes/My London Bridge in rain again'. Give that woman a place on the poetry syllabus."
Anne McElvoy is a journalist and broadcaster for The Economist, Evening Standard and BBC
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