1. What is Washington famous for?
2. What can you say about the Capitol?
3. What are the main tourist attractions in Washington?
4. What are the most important museums in Washington?
5. What places of interest are there in New York?
6. What is Broadway famous for?
7. Where is the most famous shopping centre situated in New York?
8. What are famous museum in New York?
9. What does the Statue of Liberty symbolize?
10. Who was the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty?
Part VI
HOLIDAYS
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Holidays, customs and traditions in Russia
Russia, as any other countries in the world, has its national, religious and family holidays. Some of them are very popular with the people.
The main Russian national holidays are Victory Day, Independence Day, New Year's Day, Women's Day and May Day. On these days Russian people don't work, children don't go to school.
There are some renewed holidays in our country now, which had been forgotten for many years. These are religious holidays - Christmas, Easter and some others.
The year begins with one of the most beautiful and loved by both children and adults holidays - New Year with a New Year Tree, bells, presents, Father Frost. New Year's celebrations receive widespread coverage by mass media. On the 31st of December when the chimes on the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin strike twelve, Russian people greet the New Year with holiday toasts and champagne, wish each other Happy New Year and give each other presents. Father Frost with his bag of presents comes to many Russian families on this day and it's a special fun for the children.
On the New Year night people go to a dance, visit their friends or stay at home and watch TV. Partygoers enjoy a hearty meal. Now January 1 is a national holiday, fortunately for those who like to celebrate most of the night.
Christmas and Easter are of religious origin. In Russia Christmas is celebrated on January 7. In Europe and in the USA it is marked on December 25. On Christmas day people celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Easter, which is celebrated in April or May, symbolizes the Revival of Jesus Christ. For the greater part of people in our country these holidays have lost their religious significance and are the days of family reunion, relax and happiness.
The 13th of January is an Old New Year's Eve. The 19th of January is Epiphany - a Christian holiday in memory of the coming of the three kings from the East to see the baby Jesus. The days from Christmas to the Epiphany are called Christmas-tide. At Christmas-tide people used to have a carnival, make a snowman and play snowballs, ride a troika, build a town let, climb a pole for a gift, wear fancy costumes, tell fortunes, sing carols.
In Russia winter is rich in festivals. Late February - early March is Shrovetide (Farewell to Winter Festival). It has deep roots. But nowadays people hardly remember about them, they simply have fun, say good-bye to winter or welcome spring.
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On the 8th of March we celebrate Women's Day. Men try to do their best to make women happy - they do all things about the house, cook, give them flowers and presents.
May Day, or the First of May, is the day of Spring, Labour and Solidarity, which commemorates the tragic events of the years 1884-1888 in Chicago when the workers were fighting for their rights.
Independence Day, which is quite a new Russian holiday, is dedicated to the victory of the democrats and the election of the first President of Russia on June 12, 1992.
But there is a date in the life of our country, which is memorable to every Russian citizen and is the most significant day in our life. It's the 9th of May - Victory Day. This holiday is celebrated to commemorate the great Victory of the Soviet Army over the German fascists in the Great Patriotic war. The price of that victory was very high. Millions of Russian people gave their lives for peace and freedom. On the 9th of May war-veterans meet in Gorky Park, in the park in front of the Bolshoy Theatre, at the Memorial on Poklonnaya Gora. The veterans lay flowers and wreaths on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They honour the memories of those who will never come back from battle-fields. Concerts, meetings and parties are organized for the war-veterans. In the evening people can enjoy holiday salute and fireworks.
Not so long ago big parades and holiday demonstrations took place on November 7 and May 1 in Red Square. It was full of people with flags and flowers in their hands. Now the tradition of visiting Red Square on May 9 remained as well as the tradition of cosmonauts to come here before space flights. As a tradition visitors first go to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. People bring a lot of flowers to the memorial. They honour the memory of the heroes with a minute of silence. You may watch the soldiers on duty, see the Eternal Flame burning at the monument, read the great and simple words "Your name is unknown, your feat is immortal".
Russian people are very hospitable. They like to invite friends and colleagues for a meal at home. Dinner parties usually start between 6 and 8 p.m. and end at about 11. It's polite to bring flowers, chocolates or a bottle of wine as a gift. The tables are usually full of food: meat, fish, vegetables, salads.
For Russian people birthdays are very special days, especially for children. Parents and family members give cards and give presents.
Weddings are old and beautiful traditions in Russia. They usually take place in autumn when the harvest is gathered. Most weddings take place on Saturdays in the early afternoon. You have to get married in a registry office. But nowadays many people like to get married in church with its age-old ritual and customs.
Another strong habit is keeping a pet at home. There is hardly ever a house in Russia without a little friend of the whole family.
There is a tradition that our people follow: it is keeping our country tidy and preserving all the historical sights and places of interest in perfect condition for future generations.
