HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS of GREAT BRITAIN

 

The British have eight public holidays (called ‘’bank holidays’’- probably because banks as well as most shops and offices are closed): New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. New Year’s Day became a holiday only when the UK joined the E.E.C. The patron saints days are not celebrated with a holiday. They are St.David’s Day (March 1-st) in Wales, St. George’s Day (April, 23^rd) in England and St.Andrew’s day (November 30^th) in Scotland. Only Ireland, both North and South, has a holiday on St.Patrick’s day, March 17^th. However, there are many widely celebrated festivals though they are not holidays.

 

Match the date and description:

 

1. March- April (the first Sunday after a full moon on or after March 21^st) –Easter Sunday

2. December 26^th-Boxing Day

1. November 5^th- Guy Fawkes night

2. October4 31^st- Halloween

3. May Day

4. February 14^th- St.Valentine’s Day

5. March (4^th Sunday in Lent)- Mother’s Day

6. December 25^th- Chrstmas

7. December 31^st- New Year’s Eve

 

 

On that day in 1605 Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament together with King James 1. 36 barrels of gunpowder were stored under the Houses of Lords. However, the plot was discovered, Guy Fawkes was arrested and hanged. Since then the British traditionally celebrate this day by burning effigies of Fawkes, made of straw and old clothes on bonfires, and letting off fireworks.

 

 

People send special cards with hearts, flowers and loving words, to those they are in love with. Sometimes they do not sign these cards and trying to guess who has send a card is not always easy!

 

 

People visit their mothers, bring them flowers and small presents or send them special cards.

 

 

On the eve of the festival children hang stockings on their beds for Father Christmas to put sweets and toys in them. During the day all the family- grandparents, uncles and aunts, cousins- meet for the traditional dinner ( turkey and special pudding).

 

 

This is the time to visit friends and relatives and give them presents- if you haven’t already put yours at the bottom of the Christmas tree.

 

 

It is a less important festival in Britain as compared with America but still many people enjoy dressing up in strange costumes and pretending they are witches or ghosts. There’s also a tradition to cut up a pumpkin to look like a frightening face and put a candle inside.

 

 

The festival commemorates Christ’s resurrection. People celebrate the idea of new birth by giving each other chocolate eggs. The ancient custom of dyeing eggs is also very popular.

 

 

People celebrate the end of winter and the awakening of new life in nature. Children with brightly coloured scarves dance round the Maypole on village greens. On May 1^st Morris men dance all day long waving their white handkerchiefs to drive away the evil spirits.

 

 

If you happen to be in London at the time, go to Trafalgar Square and see people take a shower in the fountains there! The great Christmas tree is a traditional gift from Norway. In Scotland, Hogmanay (the Scottish name for this festival) is the biggest festival of the year. The dancing goes on all night!

 

 

VALENTINE’s DAY.

No one really knows the actual origin of Valentine's Day. Many historians, however, seem to trace it to an ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia. This was held on February 15 to honor Faunus, the god of animal life, hunting, herding, the patron of husbandry, and the guardian of the secret lore of nature. After Christianity spread, some think this pagan festival eventually became Valentine's Day.

Other expects connect Valentine's Day with two saints of the early Christian church. According to one story, St. Valentine was a priest who would marry young couples against tbe orders of the Roman Emperor Claudius II, who believed that single young men made better soldiers. This story goes back to about A.D. 200.

There also was another St. Valentine who was a good friend to children. Because he would not worship the gods decreed by the Roman emperor, he was put in prison. While he was imprisoned, the children that be had befriended missed him and brought him loving notes. Many of the notes expressed the thought that " absence makes the heart grow fonder." He was supposedly executed on February 14 in A.D. 270. Some people think this is why we exchange friendly and caring messages on this day.

Others believe that the word valentine came from a Norman word galatine, which means a " gallant" or a " lover."

Some people connect the celebrating of Valentine's Day with an old English belief that birds choose their mates on February 14. This, too, is possible, since spring was less than a month away. The calendar used before 1582 was slightly different from the one we use now. Spring arrived on March 11 on the old calendar.

Many old-fashioned Valentine's Day customs involved ways single women could learn who their future husbands might be. In England in the 1700s, women wrote men's names on scraps of paper, rolled each in a ball of clay, and dropped them into water. The first paper that surfaced supposedly had the name of the woman's true love.

The custom of sending valentine cards started in Europe in the 1700s. Commercial valentines were first made in the early 1800s. Kate Greenaway, a British artist, was one of the leading makers of valentines. Her valentines are known for her drawings of little children and the varied shades of blues and greens that she favored.

Whatever the origin. Valentine's Day is celebrated in many parts of the world today and is a holiday for both young and old.

 

Task:

I. Answer the questions:

1. What are the versions of the origin of Valentine Day?

2. Who was St. Valentine?

3. When did the custom of sending valentine cards start?

4. How do you celebrate this day?

II. Retell the text.

 

HALLOWEEN

Everything started a very long lime ago, that is, in the 5th century B.C., in the place where today lies Great Britain and northern France. At that time, the Celts lived according to many beliefs and one of them is the beginning of this well-known celebration.

The Celts celebrated New Year on November 1st with a festival that indicated the end of the " Sun Season" and the beginning of the " Dark and Cold Season". It was a festival that the Celts of northern Europe (and the British Isles) marked with bonfires, to help the sun through the winter. Our modem celebration of " Halloween" is a descendant of the ancient Celtic fire festival called Samhain or " Summer’s End", and was celebrated with human sacrifice, augury (divination, foretelling events by signs omens) and prayer; for at this season spirits walked and evil had power over soul of men. The word is pronounced " sow-in", with " sow" rhyming with cow. In a very old tale, Samhain was the Lord of Death and Prince of Darkness.

The Druids had an autumn festival called Samhain (pronounced SAH win), or summer’s end. It was an occasion for feasting on all the kinds of food which had been grown during the summer. The custom of using leaves, pumpkins, and cornstalks as Halloween decorations comes from the Druids, The early peoples of Europe also had a festival similar to the Druid holiday.

The first meaning of Halloween was to frighten and send away the souls of the dead. It was believed that all the souls of people who had died that year would only go to heaven the day before. All Saints' Day (November 1st). " All Saints Day or " Hallows' Day" are synonyms, thus " Hallows’ Eve" is the day before Hallows' Day.

Halloween was brought to the United States of America by the Irish immigrants in 1840. The word Halloween means holy or sacred. The colors of Halloween are black and orange to suggest ideas of death and harvest.

Tasks:

I. Answer the questions:

1. What is the History of Halloween?

2. How did the Celts celebrate “Samhain”?

3. Who was Samhain in an old table?

4. What customs of Halloween decorations do come from the Druits?

5. What was the 1-st meaning of Halloween?

6. When was Halloween brought to the USA and by whom?

7. What does the word “Halloween” mean?

8. What are the colours of Halloween?

II. Tell about celebrating Halloween in different countries, in Russia.

 

 

4. Christmas in Russia!

 

 

St. Nicholas is especially popular in Russia. The legend is that the 11th-century Prince Vladimir travelled to Constantinople to be baptized, and returned with stories of miracles performed by St. Nicholas of Myra. Since then many Eastern Orthodox Churches have been named for the saint, and to this day, Nicholas is one of the most common names for Russian boys. The feast of St. Nicholas (December 6) was observed for many centuries, but after the communist revolution, the celebration of the feast was suppressed, only to return after the fall of Communism. Many other religious and folk traditions were suppressed during the communist era. Before the revolution, a figure called Babouschka would bring gifts for the children. Like Italy's La Befana, the story is that Babouschka failed to give food and shelter to the three wise men during their journey to visit the Christ Child. According to tradition, she still roams the countryside searching for the Christ Child and visiting the homes of children during the Christmas season. Babouschka never completely disappeared, and now in the post-communist era, has returned openly. Christmas trees were also banned by the Communist regime and were replaced by " New Year's" trees.

Most Christian Russians belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church, and it is customary to fast until after the first church service on January 6, Christmas Eve. The church in Russia still uses the old Julian calendar, therefore their Christmas celebration is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar that we use.

Christmas Eve dinner is meatless but festive. The most important ingredient is a special porridge called kutya. It is made of wheatberries or other grains which symbolize hope and immortality, and honey and poppy seeds which ensure happiness, success, and untroubled rest. A ceremony involving the blessing of the home is frequently observed. The kutya is eaten from a common dish to symbolize unity. Some families used to throw a spoonful of kutya up to the ceiling. According to tradition, if the kutya stuck, there would be a plentiful honey harvest.

For many Russians, a return to religion represents a return to their old roots and their old culture. Throughout Russia, after Christmas Eve services, people carrying candles, torches, and homemade lanterns parade around the church, just as their grandparents and great-grandparents did long ago. The Krestny Khod procession is led by the highest-ranking member of the Russian Orthodox Church. After the procession completes its circle around the church, the congregation reenters and they sing several carols and hymns before going home for a late Christmas Eve dinner.

TASK:

I. Answer the questions:

 

1. Why is St.Nicholas so popular in Russia?

2. Do you know the legend about St.Nicholas?

3. Why was the celebration of the feast of St.Nicolas suppressed by the communists?

4. Who brought gifts for the children in Russia before the Revolution?

5. What Church do the most Christian Russians belong to?

6. When is Christmas Eve?

7. Does the Church in Russia still use the old Julian calendar?

8. What is the most important ingredient of Christmas Eve dinner in Russia?

9. Do you know the recipe of the fish?

10. What is the Krestny Khod?

11. Do people sing any carols and hymns on Christmas Eve?

II. Tell about different ways of celebration of Christmas in Russia.

 

5. New Year

In ENGLAND

In England the New Year is not as widely observed as Christmas but one of the popular ways of celebrating it is to go to a New Year’s dance in a hotel or dance hall. The most famous celebration is in London round the statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus where crowds gather and sing and welcome the New Year. In Trafalgar Square there is also a big crowd and the police usually have to put people out of a fountain! Brrr!!!

IN RUSSIA

The New Year is the most joyful and merry holiday in Russia. The most distinctive sing of it is a decorated New Year tree (usually a fir-tree). There are New Year trees trimmed with lights and toys in squares, kindergartens, schools and other places. Special performances for children are staged near the New Year trees. The main character is Grandfather Frost described in many folk fairy-tales as the master of the winter weather who lives in the snowy forest. He resembles Santa Claus and differs from him at the same time: he is dressed in the Russian style with felt boots on his feet. Grandfather Frost always comes with his granddaughter – Snow Maiden, a fair-haired girl with her hair in a long plait. Snow Maiden is also a character from a Russian fairy-tale. Wherever Grandfather Frost and Snow Maiden go, they are supposed to bring gifts for children.

 

 

IN THE USA

January 1^st is a legal holiday in the USA but celebrations begin on December 31. Marry New Yorkers come to Times Square in the centre of the city. At one minute to midnight a lighted ball drops slowly from the top to the bottom of a pole on one of the buildings. People count down while the ball is dropping down. When it comes to the bottom, there appears an illuminated New Year sign. Those watching it in kiss and wish each other “Happy New Year! ”

TASK:

Answer the questions:

 

1.How do people celebrate New Year in England?

2. Is the New Year the most joyful holiday in Russia?

3. What is the most distinctive sign of it?

4. Who is the main character on New Year day?

5. Who brings gifts for children?

6. Is Snow Maiden a character from a Russian-fairy-tale?

7. How do Americans celebrate New Year?

II. Retell the text.

III. Tell about your family New Year traditions.

 

American Thanksgiving

According to tradition, the first American Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621 by the

English Pilgrims who had founded the Plymouth Colony, now in the state of Massachusetts. The Pilgrims marked the occasion by feasting with their Native American guests - members of the Wampanoag tribe - who brought gifts of food as a gesture of goodwill. Although this event was an important part of Colonial history, there is no evidence that any of the participants thought of the feast as a Thanksgiving celebration. Two years later, during a period of drought, a day of fasting and prayer was changed to one of Thanksgiving because the rains came during the prayers. Gradually the custom prevailed among New Englanders to celebrate Thanksgiving after the harvest every year. Colonial governments and, later, state governments took up the Puritan custom of designating thanksgiving days to commemorate various public events. The tradition of holding an annual Thanksgiving holiday spread throughout New England and into other states. During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress proclaimed a national Day of Thanksgiving following a Day of Thanksgiving in 1789 in honor of the ratification of the Constitution of the United States. In 1817 New York State adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual holiday, and many other states soon did the same. Most of the state celebrations were held in November, but not always on the same day.

In the mid-19th century Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of Godey's Ladies Book, led a movement to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. In 1863, during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November Thanksgiving Day in order to bolster the Union's morale. After the war, Congress established Thanksgiving as a national holiday, but widespread national observance caught on only gradually. Many southerners saw the new holiday as an attempt to impose Northern customs on them. However, in the late 19th century Thanksgiving's emphasis on home and family appealed to many people throughout the United States. As a distinctly American holiday, Thanksgiving was also considered an introduction to American values for the millions of immigrants entering the country at that time.

During the 20th century, as the population of the United States became increasingly urban, new Thanksgiving traditions emerged that catered to city dwellers. The day after Thanksgiving gradually became known as the first day of the Christmas shopping season. To attract customers, large retailers such as Macy's in New York City and Gimbel's in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, began to sponsor lavish parades. By 1934, the Macy's parade, featuring richly decorated floats and gigantic balloons, attracted more than one million spectators annually. The custom of watching football games on Thanksgiving Day also evolved during the early decades of the 20th century. As football became increasingly popular in the 1920s and 1930s, many people began to enjoy the holiday at a football stadium. Teams in the National Football League eventually established traditions of playing nationally televised games on Thanksgiving afternoon. In 1939 President Franklin Roosevelt shifted the day of Thanksgiving from the last Thursday in November to one week earlier. Retail merchants had petitioned the president to make the change to allow for an extra week of shopping between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Many Americans objected to the change in their holiday customs and continued to celebrate Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of the month. Roosevelt's political opponents in Congress also opposed the break with tradition and dubbed the early holiday " Franksgiving." In May 1941 Roosevelt admitted that he had made a mistake and signed a bill that established the fourth Thursday of November as the national Thanksgiving holiday, which it has been ever since.

Public observances of Thanksgiving usually emphasize the holiday's connection with the Pilgrims. Many of the images associated with Thanksgiving are derived from much older traditions of celebrating the autumn harvest. The cornucopia (a horn-shaped basket overflowing with fruits and vegetables) is a typical emblem of Thanksgiving abundance that dates to ancient harvest festivals. Many communities decorate their churches with fruits, flowers, and vegetables at Thanksgiving, much as European communities have for centuries during the harvest season. Preparing and eating a large meal is a central part of most Thanksgiving celebrations. The menu usually includes turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, squash, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie. These simple foods recall the rustic virtues of the Pilgrims and the Native Americans and are North American in origin, thus emphasizing the bounty greeted early settlers in their adopted homeland.

TASK:

I. Answer the questions:

1. When was the first American Thanksgiving celebrated?

2. What do you know about the Pilgrims?

3. When did New York State adapt Thanksgiving Day as an annual holiday?

4. Who proclaimed the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day?

5. What are the customs on Thanksgiving Day?

6. What bill did Roosevelt sign?

7. What is a typical emblem of Thanksgiving abundance?

8. How do communities decorate their churches?

9. What is a central part of most Thanksgiving celebrations?

10. What is the usual menu on Thanksgiving day?

 

IX. Entertainment

 

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