Guy Fawkes Night on Tristan da Cunha
Report from Kelly Green with photos by Julia Gunther
"Remember, remember, the fifth of November..."
The familiar words echoed in the cool evening air as the sun slipped quietly behind the volcano. Although there was no official island celebration this year, the spirit of Guy Fawkes Night* was alive and well across Tristan da Cunha. From the settlement to the edges of the island, small groups of families and friends gathered to make their own fires and celebrate in true Tristan style.
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| Guy on the bonfire | |
All day, people had been preparing. Old clothes were stuffed with wool and hay, carefully shaped into homemade "Guys" that stood proudly beside each fire. Some were funny, some spooky, all stitched together with laughter and imagination. Children dashed about helping to gather flax, old crate boards, and bits of wood anything that would burn bright against the night sky.
As darkness settled, one by one, little flickers of orange began to appear across the island. Fires came to life near fences, gardens, and open spaces, their flames dancing and crackling in the cold air. The scent of wood smoke carried on the wind, mingling with the distant sound of laughter and chatter. From afar, you could see the volcano silhouetted against the night ,tiny pinpoints of fire glowing like scattered stars across its slopes.
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| Watching the bonfire and having fun down by the Big Watron | |
Later in the evening, as the fires burned low, some people joined up for barbecues and nibbles. Smoke curled gently into the night sky, carrying the scent of grilled meat and the hum of easy conversation. It was the kind of night that reminded everyone what makes Tristan da Cunha special, a place where even small gatherings feel full of warmth, laughter, and connection.
Enjoying the afterglow.
So, although this year’s Guy Fawkes Night wasn't an official event, it became something even more memorable: a night of homemade fun, shared stories, and glowing fires that bound the island together.
* For non-British readers: The 5th of November is when bonfires are lit to commemorate the foiled "Gunpowder Plot" led by Guy Fawkes to blow up King James I and the House of Lords in 1605. Guy Fawkes was the first of the conspirators to be arrested.