Праздники Британии

МОУ «Ковернинская средняя школа № 1»

BRITISH HOLIDAYS

Выполнила: Малышева Елена Владимировна

Учитель английского языка

The 1-st of January New Year’s Day

New Year is rather popular throughout the country. People celebrate it arranging either a family party or visiting their friends. They decorate their houses with bouquets of mistletoe. Another popular way of celebrating New Year is to go to New Year dance.

The 14th of February St. Valentine's Day

It is the holiday of love and affection, the day of sending and giving presents to those you love. On this day boys and girls, sweethearts and lovers, husbands and wives, friends and neighbours exchange greetings of affection and undying love. People send Valentine cards often decorated with symbols of love - red hearts and roses, ribbons and laces and get "valentines" from their sweethearts

Mother's day or Mothering Sunday

It is traditionally celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent in March. On this holiday mother is rewarded for all her work about the house during the year. Her husband and children give her presents and traditionally bring her breakfast in bed.. On this day mothers get presents from their sons and daughters. And all children despite their age return to their homes.

The 17-th of March Saint Patrick’s Day

It is a cultural and religious holiday, celebrated annually the death date of the patron saint of Ireland , Saint Patrick . Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, and the wearing of green clothes or shamrocks . Christians also attend church services

Shrove Tuesday

It is the last day when you can eat and do everything before the fasting of Lent. It also has a popular name "Pancake Day" because many people traditionally eat pancakes on this day. Christians usually go to the church and confess their sins to a priest on Shrove Tuesday.

Easter

Easter is a church holiday . There is a popular belief that wearing 3 new things on Easter will bring good luck. Easter egg is the most popular emblem of this holiday. Nowadays Easter eggs are usually made of chocolate. Another custom is decorating eggs for children. Eggs are hidden in the yards and little children hunt for them. They believe that the Easter Bunny (rabbit) comes and leaves eggs for them. Easter cake is an iced fruitcake with a marzipan ring on the top. Easter candies are made in the form of eggs, little chickens and rabbits. Traditionally Easter parades of people in bright new spring clothes are held on this day..    

The 1-st of April April Fool's Day

This day in the morning people play jokes and funny tricks on each other. Most newspapers have at least one unbelievable story.

May Day

May Day is celebrated on the first Monday in May. It is a spring holiday of flowers, dancing and games. Traditional May Day celebrations include Morris dancing, crowning a May Queen and celebrations involving a Maypole.

Spring Bank Holiday

It is marked on the last Monday in May . The term "bank holiday" dates back to the 19th century. At that time all the banks were closed on these holidays. Now this term is no longer referred only to banks. Many other firms and offices are closed too. British people usually go on picnics on this holiday.

The Queen’s Birthday

Queen Elizabeth II was born on 21 April, 1926 in London. Her birthday is officially celebrated on the second Saturday of June. The day is referred to as “ the Trooping of the Colour ”, the official name is “the Queen’s Birthday Parade”. It is a big parade with brass bands and hundreds of soldiers at Horse Guard’s Parade.

Late Summer Bank Holiday

It is the last Monday in August. The townsfolk usually go to the country or to the coast. If the weather is fine, many families take a picnic-lunch or tea with them and enjoy their meal in the open air. It is also an occasion for big sports meetings.

Halloween

It is a holiday that is on October 31st. The symbol is a lantern made of a pumpkin. A pumpkin is cut like a face and a candle is put inside of it. So it looks like a face with burning eyes. Usually people dress in colourful costumes of witches and ghosts and go to fancy dress parties. Children go from one house to another and say: "Trick or treat". If people do not refuse to give them something they sing. If they refuse, children will play tricks on them.

Guy Fawkes Night

It is celebrated on November 5th. This tradition comes from old times . In 1605 Roman Catholics made a plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament. They placed barrels with gunpowder under the House of Lords. The man called Guy Fawkes was one of those people. They did not have a chance to blow up the Parliament because the King discovered their plan, his soldiers found Guy Fawkes and executed him. This happened on November 5th.

Since then British people mark this day by fire working and burning a dummy made of straw and old clothes on a bonfire.

Christmas

English people celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December. Christmas symbolizes the birth of Jesus Christ. On this day many people go to Churches . Christmas Day is a family holiday. It is the time when all the family gets together round the Christmas tree decorated with toys and sweets. Little children believe that when they are asleep Santa Claus comes with a big bag of toys. They often hang up large stockings for the presents. All families have Christmas dinners. They eat traditional dishes - turkey, duck, pudding

Boxing Day

Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26th. This is an old tradition, when in old times rich people used to give their servants money or "Christmas boxes". Now it is the day when people simply have rest or visit their friends.

Every country and every nation has its own traditions and customs

English people are proud of their traditions and carefully keep them up

Thank you for

your attention!