2015-02-15
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There are many national holidays in Russia, when people all over the country do not work and have special celebrations.
The major holidays are: New Year's Day,Women's Day,May Day,Victory Day, and Independence Day.
The first holiday of the year is New Year's Day. People see the New Year in at midnight on the 31st of December. They greet the New Year with champagne and listen to the Kremlin chimes beating 12 o'clock.
There are lots of New Year traditions in Russia. In every home there is a New Year tree glittering with coloured lights and decorations. Children always wait for Father Frost to come and give them a present. Many people consider New Year's Day to be a family holiday. But the young prefer to have New Year parties of their own.
A renewed holiday in our country is Christmas. It is celebrated on the 7th of January. It's a religious holiday and a lot of people go to church services on that day.
Shrovetide is the last day of enjoyment before the fasting of Lent. It is celebrated last week of February or the first week of March. It depends on the Church calendar. Many people still traditionally eat pancakes all the week before the Forgiving Sunday. This day people come the main square, take part in funny competitions and burn the Shrovetide, the main symbol of this celebrations.
On the 8th of March we celebrate Women's Day when men are supposed to do everything about the house, cook all the meals and give women flowers.
The greatest national holiday in our country is Victory Day. On the 9th of May, 1945, our army completely defeated the German fascists and the Great Patriotic War ended. We'll never forget our grandfathers and grandmothers who died to defend our Motherland. We honour their memory with a minute of silence and put flowers on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Independence Day is a new holiday in our country. On the 12th of June, 1992, the first President of Russia was elected.
We also celebrate Day of the Defender of Motherland on the 23d of February, Easter, Day of Knowledge and lots of professional holidays which are not public holidays when banks, offices and schools do not close.
Задания для самостоятельного выполнения
Complete your own vocabulary using the text “Holidays in Russia”.
Speak about the customs and holidays of Russia in 10 sentences. Emphasize your family’s favourite holiday.
Формы контроля самостоятельной работы:
устный опрос пересказа текста; контроль выполнения письменных упражнений.
Вопросы для самоконтроля по теме
1. What holidays do you like?
2. Which holidays are celebrated in your family with greater pleasure?
3. Are there special traditions to celebrate that holiday?
4. Which British holidays do you know?
5. Which customs are unusual?
6. Name religious and state holidays in Russia.
