HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS IN ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES

Both British and Americans preserves their traditions and national customs in holidays and feasts. They are a good opportunity for merrymaking, having fun and good time.

Great Britain

First of all, I want to speak about holidays and festivals in Great Britain.

14th February is the lover´s day – St Valentine´s day. This day commemorates the Roman priest who helped to persecuted Christians before he was put to death.

1st March is day of Saint David, who is the saint patron of Wales.

Ireland has also own patron, so they celebrate St. Patrick´s day on 17th March. People usually wear shamrocks.

1st April is called All Fools day. People play practical jokes and tricks on their friends and then they shout „April Fool“.

Easter are celebrated during April. I tis Christian feast. Good Friday commemorates Jesus´s crucifixion and Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus´s Resurection. People give easter eggs, symbols of new life as presents.

Saint Georges Day is day of the English saint patron and they celebrate it on 23rd April.

1st May- the May Day is opportunity for political parties to organise public meetings.

Second Sunday in May is Mother´s Day.

The Queen´s official Birthday are celebrated during June. It is connected with many interesting ceremonials as Trooping the colours.

31st October is dedicated to Halloween. In Britain is celebrated only in Scotland and North England. Children dress up in special Halloween costumes with masks on their faces. They visit their friends and neighbours houses and they say „trick or treat“ – it means give us a treat or we will play a trick on you. People threat them with sweets, fruit or money. The most common trick is drawing pictures on the window with soap. People usually make jack-o-lantern from pumpkins and candles. Also parties are connected with Halloween.

No wonder, that also Scotland has own saint patron. They celebrate Saint Andrew´s day on 30th November.

The most favourite day is without any doubt Christmas Day. In contrast to continental Europeans, the English do not celebrate Christmas Eve. 24th December is day of office party and people ussualy buy last presents. Children hang up their Christmas stockings and they go to bed with belief, that Santa Claus ir Father Christmas rides through the air on a sledge, and he comes down the chimney and fits up their stockings with presents.

The Christmas Day is on 25th December. Childrens unwrapp their Christmas presebts in the morning. Christmas diner which starts day before consists of roast turkey, roast potatoes and Christmas puding. The radios nad Tvs are full of Christmas carrols and fairy tales.

26 th December is called Boxing Day. I tis day of meeting and visiting friends and it is also party day.

New Year´s Eve is last day of the year – 31st December. People celebrate it, they dance, sing and have a nice time

USA

It is important to realise, that there are a lot of nations and ethnic groups in USA … and that they have own customs and traditions. Other important facti s, that every state and federation has the right to decide about their own holidays.

During February Americans celebrate days Dedicated to presidents – Lincoln´s and Washington´s birthdays and the presidents day.

Easter isn´t national holiday. Parents give dryed eggs and sweets to children. They also organize Easter Egg Roll.

The day of Independence is celebrated on 4th July. It commemorate the signing of Declaration of Indepence, which established USA.

Thanksgiving is national holiday in the USA and Canada celebrated on 4th Thursday on November.

First, it was celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrims in Plymouth. Nowadays, i tis great occasion to be with whole family. Traditional food is roast turkey.

Christmas isn´t a national holiday. They are simmilar to British Christmas. Americans don´t celebrate it as a family holiday, but they invite friends to joint hem at Christmas diner. Children are waiting for famous Santa Claus and his presents.