This weekend marks the beginning of the traditional summer holiday for most people in Northern Ireland, and also the run-up to the Twelfth of July celebrations.

There was a time when the ‘Twelfth Fortnight’ witnessed the virtual close-down of all of Northern Ireland’s industry and business. The shipyard workers would have left the harbour estate in their thousands, and others in engineering and different parts of industry would have downed tools for the summer break.

All this has changed. The shipbuilding industry has disappeared and has been replaced by the new technology, and employers throughout Northern Ireland no longer conform in a total shutdown at this period.

Indeed, some are not in a position to do so. The current downturn due to the credit crunch and other factors means that many businesses are struggling to make ends meet, and survival is higher on the agenda than annual holidays.

The pattern of travel has changed, as have the destinations, and people do need a break either at home or abroad. Despite the downturn, this weekend marks the beginning of a large exodus from the province, even though many people are also taking the opportunity of exploring their own country.

Even the traditional Twelfth celebrations have been trying to move with the times. During the Troubles these were seen as a political statement by members of the Loyal Orders in the face of terrorism, social unrest and political certainity. Fortunately, however, this picture has changed, and in the more

relaxed atmosphere of the continuing peace process, the Orange Order has been attempting to broaden its appeal and to reach out beyond its own culture.

The marches have now become part of an Orangefest in which the cultural traditions of the Twelfth are highlighted, and even if many people in the nationalist community remain sceptical or opposed to the parades, the organisers are at least trying to widen their horizons.

The sheer scale of the Orange parades are sometimes underestimated. On Monday tens of thousands of Orangemen and women will join demonstrations in cities, towns and villages throughout Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, the Lodges in Donegal will be stepping out today at their annual demonstration in Rossnowlagh, and it is to the credit of all concerned that Orangemen from the minority community in the Republic have been carrying out their parades without hindrance or incident for many years.

In Northern Ireland the main demonstration in Belfast will attract thousands of onlookers, as well as many tourists, while in the rest of the Province the marches will vary in size and content, but they will all have a common cultural theme — from Londonderry to Lisbellaw and from Armagh to Bangor.

That central theme will underline loyalty to the Crown and to the Reformed Faith, but for many others the Twelfth is mainly a day of family enjoyment. It is important that this positive theme is emphasised, and whatever the challenges facing the Loyal Orders in maintaining their culture while not offending others, the Orangefest approach is a step in the right direction.