Traditions and holidays in Russia and English-speaking countries

Every country has its own customs and long-lived traditions. There are also international holidays, which are celebrated in all countries world-wide. They are: Christmas, New Year’s Day, Easter and St. Valentine’s Day.

But there are some special holidays, which are usually celebrated in a particular country.

So, today in the lesson we will:

● talk about Russian traditions and holidays;

● talk about British and American traditions and holidays;

And

● put the knowledge into practice.

Let’s start with Russian traditions.

Russia is a country of great traditions. For example, Russian people traditionally mark the end of winter and the beginning of spring by burning straw scarecrows of winter on bonfires and eating pancakes.

There is also a tradition connected with wedding. When a bride and groom are ready to go to the church, the oldest member in their family takes a religious icon from the wall. Then the family member crosses them both with the icon, blesses their union and wishes them a happy marriage.

There are some old traditions in Russia. For example, a guest in this country should always be welcomed with the symbol of life-giving food – bread and salt.

Now let’s read on the forum about Russian holidays.

Nikolay, 20 years old

Hi, I’m Nikolay and I just love New Year’s Day. People begin to prepare for this holiday beforehand. They decorate their houses and New Year trees. They buy presents for their relatives and put them under the tree. People start celebrating New Year’s Day on the 31^st of December and finish on the 1^st of January.

Stepan, 19 years old

Hello, I’m Stepan and I would like to tell you about Victory Day. This holiday is celebrated on the 9^th of May. On this day people usually put flowers at the tombs of the soldiers, who were killed during the war. They also congratulate war veterans and give them flowers too.

Sofia, 22 years old

Hi, I’m Sofia and I love Russia Day. It’s celebrated on the 12^th of June. This is an official holiday. On Russia Day people usually go to the concerts, watch fireworks and do many other interesting things.

Victoria, 18 years old

Hello, I’m Victoria and I would like to tell you about such Russian holiday as Women’s Day. It’s celebrated on the 8^th of March. On this day men congratulate their mothers, sisters, wives, daughters and colleagues by giving them presents, sweets and flowers.

There are many other wonderful holidays in Russia. Among them are:

Country Defendant’s Day

Constitution Day

Day of Spring and Labour

Teacher’s Day

Easter

Mother’s Day and so on.

We’ve talked about Russian traditions and holidays. Now…

Complete the sentences!

Let’s check the right answers!

1. A guest in Russia should always be welcomed with the symbol of life-giving food – bread and salt.

2. Russian people traditionally mark the end of winter and the beginning of spring by burning straw scarecrows of winter on bonfires and eating pancakes.

3. When a bride and groom are ready to go to the church, the oldest member in their family takes a religious icon from the wall, crosses them both with this icon, blesses their union and wishes them a happy marriage.

Now…

Match the names of the holidays with the pictures!

Let’s check the right answers!

1. Russia Day

2. Victory Day

3. Mother’s Day

4. Women’s Day

5. Constitution Day

6. New Year’s Day

7. Teacher’s Day

8. Easter

Now listen to Jacob. He would like to tell you about the traditions in the UK.

Hi, I’m Jacob and I live in the UK. This country has a lot of ancient traditions. One of them is keeping black ravens in the Tower of London.

The legend says that until ravens are in the Tower, Britain will be powerful and London will be the capital of the country.

There are also lots of traditional ceremonies such as the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace or Trooping the Colour, which is performed on the Queen’s official birthday.

The British have sentimental love for old things. For example, they keep fireplaces in their houses instead of central heating, their letterboxes and telephone boxes are red – all these are traditions. The British keep up the left side of the road and use double-deckers.

Now let’s talk about the traditions in the USA.

There are lots of different traditions in the USA. One of them is connected with Groundhog Day. On this day people gather together and go to the place where a groundhog lives. They believe that the groundhog can predict the weather for the following six weeks. If it sees its shadow on this day, there will be six more weeks of winter. And if it doesn’t, spring will start early.

The old tradition of hospitality to strangers is still very strong in the USA. For example, you can meet an American, talk to him for a few minutes and soon you will be invited for dinner.

There is also a tradition in the USA of getting along with the neighbours and helping one another in many small ways.

We’ve talked about British and American traditions. Now…

Read the sentences and say if they are true or false. Correct the false sentences!

1. The old tradition of hospitality to strangers is still very strong in the USA.

2. One of the traditions in the UK is keeping white pigeons at Buckingham Palace.

3. There is a tradition in the USA of getting along with the neighbours and helping one another.

4. There is a tradition of keeping fireplaces in British houses instead of central heating.

5. There is a traditional ceremony in the UK such as the Changing of the Flag at Westminster Abbey.

Let’s check the right answers!

1. True

2. False (One of the traditions in the UK is keeping black ravens in the Tower of London.)

3. True

4. True

5. False (There is a traditional ceremony in the UK such as the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.)

Now let’s talk about British and American holidays!

The most popular American and British holiday is Christmas. This holiday is celebrated on the 25^th of December. People begin to prepare for this holiday beforehand. They decorate Christmas trees and houses. They also buy presents for their friends and relatives.

Children hang their stockings hoping that Santa Claus will come down with toys and sweets.

New Year’s Day is less popular in Britain and America than Christmas, but people still like this holiday. On this day they set off fireworks, exchange presents and good wishes.

Another popular British and American holiday is Easter. This holiday marks the start of spring. On this day people usually give and receive presents such as Easter eggs, hot cross buns, springtime flowers and so on.

Halloween is celebrated in the UK and in the USA on the 31^st of October. On this day children dress up as witches or ghosts, go out in groups and knock at people’s doors yelling the phrase “Trick or treat!”. Usually people give children sweets, fruit and candies, but if they don’t, the children can play a trick on them.

Mother’s Day is also celebrated in both countries. On this day children usually give cards, flowers and presents to their mothers.

There are many other wonderful holidays in the UK and in the USA. For example:

St. Valentine’s Day

Pancake Day

Independence Day

Thanksgiving Day

April Fool’s Day

Columbus Day and so on.

We’ve talked about British and American holidays. Now…

Match the names of the holidays with the pictures!

Let’s check the right answers!

1. Pancake Day

2. St. Valentine’s Day

3. Halloween

4. Christmas

5. Easter

6. April Fool’s Day

7. Mother’s Day

8. Thanksgiving Day

That’s all for now! In conclusion, I would like to say that traditions and holidays are an essential part of our life, because they join different generations together. Indeed, life would be dull and boring without traditions and holidays.