HOLIDAYS IN GREAT BRITAIN
• There are fewer public holidays in Great Britain than in other European countries. They are Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday, and Summer Bank Holiday. Public holidays in Britain are called bank holidays, because the banks as well as most of the offices and shops are closed.
Christmas • 25 December The custom of giving gifts at Christmas become firmly established in Britain only in the Victorian age (Queen Victoria rules in 1837 -1901 gg. ). To the gifts exchanged for the New year or in the Twelfth-Night (the feast of the Theophany) - in the Englishspeaking world, this ancient tradition has been preserved only in Scotland. There the new year's celebration Хогманай still greeted with great enthusiasm, than Christmas.
• Custom put gifts in a stocking or sock also related to Victorian England. For him, there is the following explanation: «Christmas grandfather» travelled by air and entered into the house through the chimney. Down in one of the houses, he'd dropped some gold coins in a sock, which hung to dry over the fire. Since then, on Christmas Eve, on the fireplace began to hang socks and stockings in the hope that there something fall. Royalty in the middle of last century, took over the German custom to decorate the Christmas tree: the first Christmas tree was set at Windsor castle in 1841.
Easter • From Scotland to the Channel, Britain is full of customs and traditions. A lot of them have very long histories. Some are funny, some are strange- But they're all interesting and are all part of the British way of life. • Easter is the time for holidays, festivals and time for giving chocolate Easter eggs, the day of parties, and above all a celebration that Jesus raised from the dead and lives forever. Eggs play an important part in Easter celebration; they are predominantly given to children. The eggs are either hollow or have a filling, and are usually covered with brightly colored silver paper. • Easter is much more than ordinary holiday. It is the oldest and the most important Christian Festival, the celebration of the death and coming Jesus Christ to life again. For Christians, the dawn of Easter Sunday with its message of new life is the high point of the year. •
• • • Easter is a feast that is not always held on the same date each year. Easter Day is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox. This means that Easter can fall as early as March 22 or as late as April 25. Like most Christian festivals, Easter has its origins in pre-Christian times. Our ancestors believed that the sun died in winter and was born anew in spring. The arrival of spring was celebrated all over the world long before the religious meaning became associated with Easter. Today, Easter celebrates the rebirth of Christ. The word Easter is thought to have derived from the goddess Eostre, an Anglo. Saxon Goddess. Even though Easter is associated with spring here in England, it is not so in countries in the Southern Hemisphere. In these countries Easter falls near the end of autumn. However, through out the world Easter is felt to be a time of new life and new beginnings.
Valentine's day in the UK • A special place in this day devoted to the colors. English borrowed the French have the custom of giving flowers on Valentine's day in the beginning of the 18 th century. It reached its peak during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 -1901). As is known, there is a whole alphabet of flowers, with which you can Express all their feelings. But all the same, the greatest preference is given to the red rose, which, according to legend, appeared thanks to the goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite - she stepped on the Bush white roses, and, injections leg of thorns, these flowers painted in red color. Louis XVI gave Maria-Antoinette in this day bouquet of red roses, and hence, as many believe, went to this tradition. Addition to any gift on this day, of course, are Valentines - cards with the image of hearts and words of love. Some believe that the greeting card in General appeared in connection with the day of Valentine. Its first factory manufacturing Valentines refers to 1840.
The day of the birth of Robert Burns
• January 25 The national holiday - the Day of birth of the outstanding poet Robert burns (Robert Burns, January 25, 1759 - July 21, 1796) is widely celebrated at his home in Scotland. The Scots are very proud of their famous compatriot and honors his memory. The festival is held not only in Scotland, but also in many areas of Britain. The day of the birth of Robert burns's customary to celebrate in the form of dinner (so-called Burns Supper), held on a particular scenario. First - a small stage acting, with poems, songs and folk dances. In Scotland burns is revered as a symbol of the nation, and so the day of birth of the poet is one the most favorite holidays in the country of the hills - is celebrated widely and noisy.
The day of Saint David
• The day of Saint David (Saint David's Day) - the patron Saint of Wales is one of the most important holidays for inhabitants of Wales and is celebrated as a Patriotic and cultural festival of Wales in the whole world. Honor of the Saint will be not only the Welsh, but also inhabitants of other countries, whose ancestors lived in Wales. In new York city skyscrapers the Empire state building will be highlighted in green-and-red-white colour. On this day, everywhere there is the image of the Holy David with a dove on his shoulder - a symbol of the Holy spirit. Many of the Welsh attached to the clothing national symbols - Narcissus or leek. In Cardiff, the capital of Wales, there are festive events, and on the tables in each of the Welsh family is a traditional soup-leek - Cawl Cennin. Children come to school on that day dressed in the national costumes. But teenagers are usually organize contests of choral singing.
Mother's day
• • In the beginning of the 17 th century in England in the fourth Sunday of Great lent people began to celebrate the Sunday of the mother (Mothering Sunday). It was a feast of all mothers of England. To the extent of the spread of Christianity in Europe, this Sunday was the feast of the Mother Church - the spiritual force that gives life and protect from evil. In our days, mother's Day is quite calmly. Women have a rest, and their men are engaged in a work at home and cook dinner. Traditionally on this day to serve the cake симнель (simnel cake), decorated with 12 balls of marzipan. The tradition of 12 balls began in still pre-Christian times, they symbolize the 12 signs of the zodiac. The name of the cake is associated with a Latin name flour grinding (radio). Such cakes and pastries baked and sold to England France on Sundays during Great Lent. In France this recipe often baked cakes, decorated with the cross of icing sugar. Sometimes husbands take on this day of their wives in restaurants, to mark the event. Children give flowers, cards and other gifts to mothers. Congratulate your mother must be, and in whatever part of the world may be in this day daughters and sons, they will call my only and own, send them a postcard, letter or e-mail message to mother's Day.
St. Patrick's day
• St. Patrick's day (St. Patrick's Day) - the historic Irish holiday with British roots. It is celebrated in honour of the patron Saint of Ireland - St. Patrick's. According to legend, St. Patrick drove all the snakes from the island of and brought Christianity to Ireland. According to tradition in the St. Patrick's Day are arranged costumed parades with brass orchestras. Many believe that this tradition has been brought to the feast of the Americans. On this day all round green - green beer, Souvenirs, clothing. In our days, St. Patrick's Day is a holiday of spring and joy, which is celebrated not only in Ireland, the UK, but also far beyond.
Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II
• I wonder how it is to celebrate your birthday here already more than 50 years, twice a year? To this question can be answered Queen Elizabeth II (Queen Elizabeth II), who was born on April 21, 1926 in London, and for many years, her birthday is celebrated around the United Kingdom not only on April 21, but in the 3 rd Saturday of June. The title Her Royal Majesty in the United Kingdom sounds so: «Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God Queen of the United Kingdom of great Britain and Northern Ireland her other Possessions and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith» .
• Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne on February 6, 1952, after the death of his father, king George the Sixth. The coronation took place on June 2, 1953 in Westminster Abbey. Elizabeth was just 25 years old when she became Queen, and over the last several decades, it remains. Birthday every year lavishly celebrated in Windsor castle. It starts with a walk through the city (if this action, of course, you can call it that). Certainly given 21 -charging salute, which sounds in the afternoon.
