The school leaver's ball. The ball symbolizes leaving school. Well-dressed school leavers come to school. After farewell speeches, parting wishes and short banquet all the leavers, their teachers and parents go for a walk in the streets and parks, where they dance and sing.
Fortune-telling on Epiphany Eve. Following popular beliefs Epiphany Eve is a time for fortune-telling. Girls are gathered together separately from boys to guess at a future fiancé: for example, they are asked the name of the first person they met in the street late at night and this would be the fiancés name. A period of hard frost usually falls on this time (Epiphany frost). A specific ritual of bathing in an ice-hole on the night of Epiphany in order to purge oneself, to atone for one's sins is now reviving not only in the Russian villages, but also in large cities.
Shrovetide, Maslenitsa (Butter week, Cheese week). Week before Lent. Throughout this week, pancakes are made; people enjoy themselves and visit each other to eat pancakes. M. dates back to the old pre-Christian Slavic tradition / marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
Christmas
On the 25-th of December people celebrate Christmas. Christmas is a religious holiday which symbolizes the birth of Jesus Christ.
On the Sunday before Christmas many churches hold a carol service where special hymns are sung. Sometimes carol-singers can be heard on the streets as they collect money for charity. People are reminded of Charles Dickens story 'Christmas Carol'. Most families decorate their houses with brightly-coloured paper or holly, and they usually have a Christmas tree in the corner of the front room, glittering with coloured lights and decorations.
There are a lot of traditions connected with Christmas but perhaps the most important one is the giving of presents. Family members wrap up their gifts and leave them at the bottom of the Christmas tree to be found on Christmas morning. Children leave a long sock or stocking at the end of their beds on Christmas Eve, 24th December, hoping that Father Christmas will come down the chimney during the night and bring them small presents, fruit and nuts. They are usually not disappointed! At some time on Christmas Day the family will sit down to a big turkey dinner followed by Christmas pudding. They will probably pull a cracker with another member of the family. It will make a loud crack and a coloured hat, small toy and joke will fall out!
Later in the afternoon they may watch the Queen on television as she delivers her traditional Christmas message to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. If they have room for even more food they may enjoy a piece of Christmas cake or eat a hot mince pie. 26th December is also a public holiday, Boxing Day, and this is the time to visit friends and relatives or watch football.
St. Valentine's Day
St. Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14th as a festival of romance and affection. People send greeting cards called "valentines" to their sweethearts, friends, and members of their families.
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Many valentines have romantic poems; others are humorous: But almost all valentines ask: "Be My Valentine." This may mean be my friend or be my love or be my companion. Valentines often show a cupid with an arrow. Cupid, also called Eros, was the ancient Roman god of love.
St. Valentines Day is not a legal holiday; schools and banks are open as usual. Merchants sell valentines and decorations for St. Valentine's Days parties and dances. All the decorations are bright red, and the most popular ones are heart shaped.
School children decorate their classrooms with bright red paper hearts and celebrate the day in their classroom. They also make valentine cards for their friends and parents. Red is the colour most often used in valentines because it is a symbol of warmth and feelings. This is the reason that red roses have long been a symbol of love. Pink is a mixture of red and white and is quite commonly used also. White is the symbol of purity and is a colour often used in valentines. It is believed that the bridal veil may have inspired the use of lace on valentines.
Stores advertise heavily for this holiday since it is traditional for sweethearts, spouses, and members of the family to exchange gifts on St. Valentine's Day. Heart shaped boxes of candy, jewelry and flowers are some of the popular gifts given on this day.
Many newspapers carry advertisements or messages placed by people in love. Both men and women want to let their sweethearts know how much they love them. On St.Valentines Day many radio stations play romantic music all day long. One very famous song is called My Funny Valentine.
St. Valentine's Day is a day to share loving feelings with friends and family. It has become traditional for many couples to become engaged on this day. Also famous couples are remembered. Some of them are Romeo and Juliet, Caesar and Cleopatra, among others. This is a happy day because it is especially dedicated to celebrate love, affection and friendship.
Easter
The Cross
Christ was crucified on a cross, so the cross has come to have a special meaning to Christians. It represents Christ's victory over death. It is a significant Easter symbol.
The Lamb
Jesus was known as the Lamb of God. At one time the Jews sacrificed a lamb during a Passover festival, and early Christians adopted this as a sign of Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Lambis now a traditional Easter meal, and cookies and cakes are often made in the shape of a lamb for Easter.
Eggs
Of course, eggs represent new life. Long ago some people believed that the earth was hatched from a gigantic egg! Eggs have been exchanged for centuries. Ancient Egyptians dyed eggs and gave them to friends as gifts. In England friends wrote messages on coloured eggs. The practice of colouring and exchanging eggs has been carried on in many parts of the world today. Some of the most elaborately decorated eggs are Ukranian found in E. Europe. Often eggs are left by the Easter bunny for children to find on Easter morning much to their delight!
Easter Rabbits
In America and around the world many children believe that the Easter bunny brings Easter eggs and hides them for finding on Easter morning. Where did this tradition begin? There are many different legends, but here is a popular one.
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Long ago in Germany there lived an old loving woman who adored children. Each year she would give children gifts to celebrate spring. One year she had nothing to give because she had grown very poor due to a great famine in the land. All she had were some eggs. She did not want to disappoint the children, so quickly before they arrived for their gifts, she coloured the eggs and hid them in the grass.
When the children arrived, she told them to run out into the lawn to find their gifts hiding there. Of course, the children ran into the yard in search of their surprise. Just as one of the children uncovered the eggs a large rabbit hopped away. So the children thought that the rabbit had left the eggs for them! And ever since, children have searched for the eggs left by the Easter rabbit on Easter morning.
It is also true that in ancient Egypt the rabbit symbolized the moon. It also symbolized new life and birth. Because Easter's date is determined by the moon and Easter occurs in the springtime, it was natural that the rabbit continued to be one of the symbols of Easter.
What is Halloween?
Halloween was first celebrated many centuries ago in Ireland and Scotland by Celtic priests called Druids. They observed the end of autumn and the beginning of winter. The Druids thought that Halloween was the night when the witches came out. As they were afraid of the witches they put on different clothes and painted their faces to deceive the evil spirits. They also placed food and small gifts near the doors of their houses for the witches. This was, as they say now, the beginning of the expression "trick or treat" (meaning give me something or I'll play a trick on you).
It is considered that Halloween was brought to America by the immigrants from Ireland and Scotland. In the 19th century they celebrated Halloween according to their old traditions (the integral part of the festival was a lantern made of a pumpkin with holes in the form of eyes, a nose and a mouth, and people believed that during the celebration all pumpkins were leaving their vegetable gardens to dance in the streets). As time went by, grown-up people lost interest in Halloween, and it was celebrated almost entirely by children. Dressed very strangely, children held festivals. During their carnival and after it groups of children visited nearby houses and asked for candies. "Trick or treat! Trick or treat!" was heard everywhere.
In recent years grown-up people have begun taking part in Halloween. In New York, for example, young and old take part in parades together. On the 31st of October long before the time when the carnival procession begins to move, a great number of people get together in one of the streets. They are dressedas witches, demons and other evil spirits. There are hundreds of large orange "pumpkins" in their hands. After the parade the festival lasts almost till early morning.
This is how the Americans celebrate Halloween.
Celebrations in the USA
The population of the USA is made up of people of different nationalities. Centuries ago they brought with them their native celebrations. Some holidays which are marked in the United States originated in America. The number of holidays is different in different states - from 8 in the District of Columbia to 20 in Oklahoma. But the most important holidays are celebrated throughout the USA. They are: New Year's Day (January 1), Lincoln's Birthday (February 12), Washington's Birthday (February 22), Independence Day (July 4), Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November), Christmas (December 25). Here are a few words about them.
On New Year's Day people see the old year off and the New Year in. Most people stay up all night, even children. At midnight many people go outside and shout Happy New Year! Some people set off fireworks and blow automobile horns which are heard everywhere. Everybody exchanges presents and good wishes. Offices, factories, banks and stores do not work on this day.
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Lincoln's birthday is celebrated every year on February 12. Abraham Lincoln was President during the Civil War (1861-1865) He led the fight to keep the nation together and to free the slaves. His life ended tragically. He was killed at the theatre during the performance soon after the victory of the North. In honour of this great man a beautiful memorial has been built in Washington, D.C. Lincoln's birthday is celebrated every year on February, 12.
Washington's birthday is marked on February, 22. George Washington led the American Army to victory in the War for Independence. Later he was elected the President of the United States and was in office for 8 years (1789-1797). The national capital of the United States, a state and several towns are named after George Washington.
One of the greatest holidays is Independence Day. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed. It proclaimed independence of the thirteen British colonies from Great Britain. July 4 has become the greatest holiday since. In the past this day was marked with big parades and fireworks, but now it is celebrated more quietly. Cities and towns are decorated with flags on that day, there are parades in some places, but most people just go on picnics to the countryside.
Labour Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September. On this day workers make a public show with marches, meetings, etc. It also marks the beginning of the school year and the end of summer.
Thanksgiving Day is marked on the fourth Thursday of November On this day the Americans honour the memory of the first settlers. It also marks the end of the harvest season. It is a long-standing tradition to make a festive meal with a fried turkey on this day.
Christmas is a religious holiday which symbolizes the birth of Jesus Christ. By this day people decorate fir trees with toys and candies Children wait for Santa Claus who comes to every house and brings them presents. Before going to bed, children leave their shoes to find in them what they want most of all the next morning. Some people, especially young people, like to celebrate it in restaurants and cafes and pubs, but most people prefer to stay at home with their family on this day.
Birthdays
For British and American people, birthdays are very special days, especially for children. Parents and family members send cards and give presents. Often, children have birthday parties. They invite their friends, who bring presents to the party. There are games, and prizes, and a birthday "tea" with sandwiches, biscuits, ice cream and a birthday cake. There are small candies on the cake. If the child is four years old he has four candles. If he is five, he has five candles, and so on. When the little guests leave, they each get a small present and a balloon.
Birthdays are special days for older people too. Family members and friends give presents and send birthday cards. When people meet someone on their birthday, sometimes even at work, they say Happy birthday! or Many happy returns of the day! (This means I hope you will live to have many more birthdays.)
The most important birthday is the eighteenth. When you are eighteen, you are grown up. You can vote, you can get married and you can even go to prison! People often have a big party on their eighteenth birthday, and receive a lot of presents. Until a few years ago, the most important birthday was the twenty-first, and some people still wait for their big party until they are twenty-one.
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Fortieth and seventieth birthdays are also rather special, and in Britain, if you live to be a hundred, the Queen sends you her congratulations.
Weddings
In Britain and the USA, wedding invitations go out about six weeks before the wedding day. The guests write as soon as possible to say if they can or cannot come.
Choosing a present for the couple can be difficult. In Britain people don't take their presents to the wedding. They send them to the woman's house before the wedding day. To help them find a present, couples often make a list of what they would like and leave it at a store. Their friends cll the store and order something from the list.
Most weddings take place before lunch or in the early afternoon. Many people like to get married in church. The bride often wears a long white dress. Guests wear their best clothes and most of the women wear hats. In the church, the bride's family sits on the left and the groom's family sits on the right.
In Britain you have to get married in a church or a registry office (never both). But in the States you get married where you like, in your home, in a hotel or in a park or garden.
After the wedding, there is a short reception. The guests go to the bride's home or to a hotel, pub or restaurant and have something to eat and champagne to drink. The bride and groom cut the wedding cake, and the groom's friend (his "best man") makes a speech. The guests usually leave after the bride and groom. Sometimes the couple gives a party or disco in the evening.
Married people wear their wedding rings on the third finger of the left hand. Most married women wear wedding rings, but married men often do not.
Task 1. A British couple invite you to their home for dinner. What should you do? Choose a) or b).
1. You accept the invitation, but you find later you are not free after all.
a) you call them to say you cannot come.
b) you do not want to be rude, so you do not call.
2. You go to the dinner, and you take with you:
a) an expensive present
b) some flowers
