Слайд 2
December
25th December. Christmas Day.
Fairy lights and
brightly decorated trees illuminate the streets, carols ring out
from churches. It is a traditionally family holiday. In Britain, Christmas is the most important public holiday of the year. It combines the custom of giving gifts with the tradition of spending this day with the family.
Слайд 3
December
26th December.
Boxing Day.
It comes right after Christmas
and is celebrated as a bank holiday in Britain.
This is the day when one visits friends or relatives, goes for a drive or a long walk or just stays at home.
Слайд 4
January
January 1st, New Year’s Day.
It is now
a public holiday in Britain. In many large towns
there is a public gathering on New Year’s Eve to see the New Year in, the largest held in Trafalgar Square in London.
Слайд 5
January
25 January: Burns Night.
The anniversary of the birth
of Robert Burns, Scotland’s greatest national poet. It usually
takes the form of a supper at which traditional Scottish dishes are eaten. Burns Night celebrations are held amongst Scots living in different countries, not only in Scotland.
Слайд 6
February
14th February: St. Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a
whirl of hearts, candy and good wishes in the
form of bright, lacy, colourful cards, with loving emblems saying “ Be my Valentine.
Слайд 7
February
Cruft’s Dog Show.
Britain is a nation of animal
lovers. Crafts Dog show is internationally known. Dog breeds
from all over the world bring their dogs to take part in it.
Слайд 8
March
1st March
St. David’s Day
St. David is the national
saint of Wales. On this day many Welshmen wear
either a daffodil or a leek, pinned to their jacket, as both plants are traditionally regarded as national emblems of Wales.
Слайд 9
March
17th March – St. Patrick’s Day.
St. Patrick
is the patron saint of Ireland. The 17th of
March, the church festival of St. Patrick , is regarded as national day in Northern Ireland.
Слайд 10
March
Pancake Day
Is the popular name for Shrove Tuesday.
People traditionally eat pancakes on Pancake Day and in
many towns pancake races are held in which women run with pancakes.
Слайд 11
APRIL
1st April
April Fools’ Day
This is the funniest day
of the year, when, traditionally, practical jokes are played.
People take them in good part and laugh heartily even if some tricks or jokes have made April fools of them.
Слайд 12
EASTER
Easter is the most important religious holiday. It
is traditionally associated with Easter eggs and with the
coming of spring and most churches are specially decorated with flowers for the services held on Easter Day.
Слайд 13
May
May Day.
1st May is a traditional celebration of
the coming of spring. A May Queen is elected.
Some villages have a maypole. Children dance around it, holding the ribbons. It is usually accompanied by sports contests, games.
Слайд 14
May
Chelsea Flower Show
Is the highlight of Britain’s gardening
year. It is held in London every year in
May in the grounds of Chelsea Hospital. It is the most famous flower show in the world.
Слайд 17
June
Trooping the Colour
Takes place each June as part
of a 200 – year – old ceremony to
mark the official birthday of the monarch. It is an impressive military display held at Horse Guard Parade. The military march past the Queen, dipping their Colours in salute.
Слайд 20
July
The Proms.
Among music – lovers in Britain the
period between July and September in a time of
excitement and of great enthusiasm. The annual series of Summer concerts are held at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Слайд 21
AUGUST
Notting Hill Carnival
An annual West Indian carnival held
over the August Bank Holiday in the streets of
Notting Hill, West London, since 1966. It is known for the colourful and fantastic costumes and mostly involves black people.
Слайд 25
August
The Edinburgh Festival
Is now one of the
biggest festivals in the world which draws thousands of
visitors. The Festival takes place annually during the last two weeks of August and first week of September. The Festival is ended by a splendid colourful Military Tattoo, held on the parade grounds of Edinburgh Castle.
Слайд 27
September
Harvest Festival.
Harvest is over, winter is coming,
and people have both the time and the reason
to celebrate and relax. It’s a time to enjoy plentiful food while it lasts.
Слайд 31
Pearly kings and queens.
During the Harvest Festival Pearly
king and queen ( the winners of the traditional
contest among cockneys) meet people at the holiday church service. The pearly kings and queens take their name from the pearly buttons on their clothes. They work in London’s street markets, and they are the “kings” and “ queens” of the market people.
Слайд 32
October
Halloween
October 31 is the witchiest night of
the year.it is the eve of the Festival of
All Hallows. In Britain Halloween celebrations have been confined largely to the younger generation.
Слайд 33
November
November 5th is Guy Fawkes Day in
Britain. All over the country people build wood fires,
or “ bonfires” , in their gardens. On top of each bonfire is a guy. That is a figure of Guy Fawkes. He was one of conspirators who wanted to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill King James 1 and his ministers.
Слайд 34
The State Opening of Parliament
Is performed by HM
the Queen. The Queen travels from Buckingham Palace to
Westminster in the Irish State Coach escorted by the Household Cavalry. Another coach conveys the crown and regalia from the Jewels House at the Tower of London.
Слайд 35
A Guard of Honour
awaits the Queen
at the Palace of Westminster.
The State Opening of Parliament is an occasion of historic symbolism. Members of the House of Lords all wear their parliamentary robes.
Слайд 36
The Queen’s Speech
Is prepared for the Sovereign to
read by the ministers of the government in power.
In the speech the government outlines its planned programme, and the policies it intends to follow.
Слайд 38
The Lord Mayor’s Show
Is an annual ceremonial journey
he makes on the second Saturday in November to
swear an oath of allegiance to the Lord Chief Justice. Drawn by six horses, the 18th century coach is guarded by the Lord Mayor’s bodyguard, pikemen and musketeers.
Слайд 39
The London – to Brighton Veteran Car Run
An
annual race of veteran cars from London to Brighton
is an exciting event. It is organized by the Royal Automobile Club and usually held on the first Sunday in November. Old motor cars carefully preserved. Some cars are more than 90 years old.
Слайд 41
Remembrance Day ( Poppy Day)
Is observed throughout Britain
On
the Sunday nearest to 11 November, Armistice Day. On
this day the fallen in both world wars are remembered in special church services and civic ceremonies , the chief of which is the laying of wreaths at the Cenotaph, London, by members of the royal family, leading statesmen and politicians.
Слайд 42
Poppy Day
On and just before that day artificial
poppies, a symbol of mourning, are traditionally sold in
the streets everywhere, and people wear them in memory of those who fell in the wars.
Слайд 44
St. Andrew’s Day
St. Andrew is the patron saint
of Scotland. It is the church festival of St.
Andrew, regarded as Scotland’s national day. On this day some Scotsmen wear a thistle in their buttonhole.