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TOP-20 holidays and holiday traditions of Great Britain

The British love and honor their holidays and traditions: they took shape over the centuries and included pagan and Christian rituals, official state dates, musical and sporting events. Today, cultural symbols and traditional rites are borrowed and mixed, but for Britain with its multicultural population, the history of the mutual influence of the colonies and colonialists, attention to their own ancient pre-Christian culture, the diversity of traditions has always been characteristic. For foreign tourists, students and expats, some holidays will be familiar — for example, international Valentine’s Day and Halloween — and others, like Queen’s Birthday or Guy Fawkes Day, will be an interesting discovery. Not all English holidays are accompanied by weekends, but certainly everyone has their own history, symbolism and rituals.

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many countries of the world — it is a holiday of romantics and lovers, sellers of cards and plush toys. The history of secret weddings in the circle of Jeffrey Chaucer in the Middle Ages, in the era of courtly love, is associated with the name of the priest Valentine. In 18th-century England , the tradition of celebrating Valentine’s Day became entrenched and took on stable forms: lovers confess their love, give flowers, sweets and Valentine greeting cards, originally handmade. The symbols of Valentine’s Day today are the heart, pigeons and the figure of a winged cupid.

Maslenitsa

Pancake week, or Pancake week Tuesday — Tuesday in the week before Lent, the traditional Christian custom of abstaining from animal food for 40 days before Easter. Fasting ends on Easter Sunday. Today, few Christians fast, but the tradition of baking pancakes on the eve of fasting, using all the eggs, milk and butter remaining in the house, has been preserved, although it has lost its original meaning. Researchers of pagan traditions say that pancakes symbolized the sun, and Pancake Week was a holiday of seeing off winter, when festivals and fist fights were held in the villages. Today, for many people, this is an occasion to get together and eat a traditional dish with various additives.

Mothers Day

Mother’s Day is a holiday of mothers and grandmothers, a day of gratitude for everything that they did and are doing. Traditionally, children of all ages give gifts and postcards to their mothers, invite them to a cafe or do household chores for them, some mothers even get breakfast in bed. Initially, the custom of honoring mothers on the fourth Sunday of Lent was religious, but by the first third of the 20th century. the holiday became popular among all residents of Britain.

St.Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious holiday, celebrated annually on March 17 — the day the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, died. According to legend, St. Patrick used a shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to Irish pagans. Today, a clover leaf, the image of the saint and green color have become symbols of the holiday along with the image of leprechaun, the brightest character of Irish folklore. Festivals, parades and fairs dedicated to Irish culture are held throughout the country.

April 1 — April Fool’s Day

April Fool’s Day reflects the British love for paradoxical jokes, black humor and practical jokes. At this time, it is customary to joke with each other — even newspapers, television and radio programs often contain fake stories. There are lists of the most successful and unusual hoaxes and practical jokes that happened on this day, as some Englishmen very thoroughly prepared for this day. For example, on April 1, 1976, during an early morning interview on BBC Radio 2, British astronomer Patrick Moore announced that a unique astronomical event should occur at 9.47: «Pluto should pass behind Jupiter, planetary alignment will temporarily reduce Earth’s gravity.» Moore announced to the audience that if they jumped in the air the moment alignment occurs, they would felt the lack of gravity of the earth. At 9.47 in the morning, hundreds of phone calls from listeners began to arrive at the station, claiming that they felt a lack of gravity. One woman said that she and her friends even got up from their chairs and swam around the room. Traditionally, the British make jokes until noon, and if someone gets caught, he will hear the cry of “April Fools!”

Easter

Easter is the main Christian holiday, popular in Britain and in all European countries, the USA, Canada and Russia. It is most in demand among religious holidays. This popularity is associated with the original positive meaning — overcoming death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Easter falls in the spring, coinciding with the revival of nature, and colorful ceremonies have made this holiday popular among children. For Easter people go to church, give Easter eggs, go hunting for chocolate eggs. The tradition of hiding chocolate eggs in the garden or at home is especially loved by children: parents lay out treats around the house, and children in the morning look for sweets. Chocolate Easter Eggs have become a traditional Easter gift in Britain.

St. George’s Day

St. George is the patron saint of England: according to biblical legend, he boldly killed the dragon and saved the princess. Over the centuries of the existence of the legend, he became the hero of many works of art, folklore texts around the world. On April 23, people raise the national flag of England — the red cross of St. George on a white background, pin red roses symbolizing England to their clothes, markets open in the central squares of cities. This is not exclusively a national holiday, but it is perceived by many English as one of the most important for the country.

Father’s day

Father’s Day, June 21 is a day of honoring, expressing gratitude to dads and grandfathers. Sons and daughters give fathers gifts, postcards, treat them with lunch, take joint walks.

Queen’s official birthday

The Queen’s real birthday is April 21, but since 1748 it has been a tradition for England to celebrate the birthday of the king or queen in June. This is due to the fact that in June the weather is more favorable for festivities. An important part of the holiday is the military parade, known as Trooping the Color, held in London, and the presence of the royal family.

Summer solstice

The summer solstice is the longest day and shortest night of the year, June 21st. According to pagan tradition, many people gather at the ancient Stonehenge monument in Wiltshire and watch the sunrise.

Wimbledon Tournament (June-July)

Wimbledon in southwest London is the venue for one of the four annual Grand Slam tournaments around the world. Wimbledon is synonymous with unpredictable weather and, oddly enough, strawberries with cream. Few Britons are interested in tennis, but in the Wimbledon season everything changes.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the world’s largest art festival: annually there are more than 40,000 performances of street artists, dancers, musicians, mimes, drama artists. Every year in August he gathers a lot of creative people and spectators, he is best known for his comedic performances.

Notting Hill Carnival

Every August, the last weekend of bank holidays, a carnival takes place on the streets of Notting Hill in West London. This is the largest street festival in Europe, which attracts more than 1 million people to watch a colorful procession, dance to music from salsa to reggae, and taste Caribbean food from street stalls.

London Fashion Week

In September, London hosts the second largest fashion week of the year. In addition to professional events, many bright events are held for citizens and guests of events.

Halloween

Halloween is held October 31st on the eve of the Western Christian holiday of All Saints Day. This is a time dedicated to the memory of the dead, saints, martyrs. Unlike the United States, this is a relatively calm event: children put on costumes and walk around the neighborhood with the famous phrase Trick or treat, collecting treats. Neighbors very rarely let children play themselves, but prefer to treat them with sweets.

Guy Fawkes Night

Bonfire Night is held on November 5th, associated with the tradition of celebrating Guy Fawkes’ failed attempt to blow up the parliament in 1605. Participants make bonfires, admire the fireworks, take part in street processions and festivities.

Memorial Day, November 11

Every year on November 11, the British remember the soldiers who died in the fields of the First World War. Royal British Legion sell paper poppy flowers — a symbol of Memorial Day, sending all the proceeds to charity to raise funds for war veterans and their families. At 11.00 am, a two-minute silence is announced throughout the country.

Christmas

The British celebrate Christmas December 25th — this is the main family and state holiday. Christmas markets are held in many UK cities and are becoming popular places to visit with friends and family. At this time, it is customary to buy gifts for loved ones, to cook traditional dishes — turkey, pudding, hot alcoholic drinks. Christmas trees, garlands and candles are put in the houses. Children hang socks near the Christmas tree or fireplace, where in the morning parents will lay out gifts.

New Year

England celebrates the New Year, having parties with friends and family and waiting for the countdown before midnight. This holiday is given less attention than Christmas, because many choose to spend New Year’s Eve out of the house, on street walks, admiring the fireworks.

Источник статьи: http://smapse.com/top-20-holidays-and-holiday-traditions-of-great-britain/

Праздники в Великобритании / Holidays in Great Britain

In Great Britain there are public holidays that are called “bank holidays”. The term “bank holiday” dates back to the 19th century. At that time all the banks were closed on these days. Now this term is no longer referred only to banks. Many other firms and offices are closed too.

Among these are eight holidays: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Late Summer (August) Bank Holiday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

New Year’s Eve (December 31st) is more special for Scottish people, who celebrate it with their families. They sit the Old Year out and the New Year in. At midnight Scottish people hold their hands in a large circle and sing the song “Auld lang syne” by Robert Burns. That is how they celebrate the coming of a new year.

But it does not mean that New Year’s Eve is not so popular throughout the country. People decorate their houses with bouquets of mistletoe.

Friday before Easter is called “Good Friday”. People usually make special buns which are marked with a cross on top. On this day the Church marks Jesus Christ’s death.

Easter Monday is the first Monday after Easter Day.

May Day Bank Holiday is celebrated on the first Monday after May Day (May 1st). People celebrate the coming of spring. They also select the most beautiful girl on this day, who becomes May Queen. Sometimes May poles are constructed with long coloured ribbons and children dance around these poles holding the ends of these ribbons.

Spring Bank Holiday is marked on the last Monday in May.

August Bank Holiday is the last Monday in August. British people usually go on picnics on spring and summer bank holidays.

The most popular bank holiday is Christmas Day. It is celebrated on December 25th. Christmas symbolizes the birth of Jesus Christ. On this day many people go to Churches, get Christmas presents and make a traditional Christmas dinner (roast turkey and pudding).

On this day children wait for a special person who will come down the chimney during the night and will bring them presents. It is Father Christmas. However, Santa Claus is used synonymously with Father Christmas. Children usually hang long socks or stocks on their beds and hope that Father Christmas will put his presents into them. Christmas trees are set in the living-rooms and are decorated with toys by children.

Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26th. It comes straight away after Christmas Day. This is an old tradition, when in old times rich people used to give their servants money or “Christmas boxes”. Now it is the day when people simply have rest or visit their friends.

Besides bank holidays, there are also different festivals reflecting interesting traditions and customs. Among them are St. Valentine’s Day, Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day), April Fool’s Day, Mother’s Day (Mothering Sunday), Father’s Day, Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night.

St. Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th. On this day people send Valentine cards and get presents and “valentines” from their sweethearts. A Valentine is a colourful card with tender love words composed by the sender. It is a kind of a love-token. Valentine cards are usually not signed. Those who get them must guess who the sender is.

Shrove Tuesday is the last day when you can eat and do everything before the fasting of Lent. It also has a popular name “Pancake Day” because many people traditionally eat pancakes on this day. Christians usually go to the church and confess their sins to a priest on Shrove Tuesday.

Mothering Sunday or Mother’s Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent in March. On this day mothers get presents from their sons and daughters. And all children despite their age return to their homes.

On April Fool’s Day people play jokes and tricks on each other.

In June there is Father’s Day. On this day fathers get gift cards and a lot of attention from their children.

Halloween is a holiday that is on October 31st. The most memorable symbol connected to this holiday is a lantern made of a pumpkin. A pumpkin is cut like a face and a candle is put inside of it. So it looks like a face with burning eyes. Usually people dress in colourful costumes of witches and ghosts and go to fancy dress parties. Children go from one house to another and say: “Trick or treat”. If people do not refuse to give them something they sing. If they do refuse children play tricks. Halloween is on the eve of All Saints’ Day. The word “Halloween” means “holy evening”. The tradition of Halloween goes back with its roots to a time when people believed in evil spirits.

Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated in the UK on November 5th. This tradition comes from old times when King James I was on the throne. He was a Protestant that is why Roman Catholics did not like him because of the religious differences. In 1605 Roman Catholics made a plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament. They placed barrels with gunpowder under the House of Lords. The man called Guy Fawkes was one of those people. Nevertheless, they did not have a chance to blow up the Parliament because the King discovered their plan, his soldiers found Guy Fawkes and executed him. This happened on November 5th. Since then British people mark this day by burning a dummy made of straw and old clothes on a bonfire. They call this dummy simply “a guy”.

Alongside public holidays there are not least important holidays celebrated in the UK. They are the patron saint days: St. David’s Day on March 1st (in Wales), St. George’s Day on April 23d (in England), St. Andrew’s Day on November 30th (in Scotland) and St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th (in Northern Ireland). The only national holiday from this list is St. Patrick’s Day for the Irish.

Перевод некоторых слов:

a public holiday = “a bank holiday” – официальный нерабочий день (установленный законом), to refer to – относиться к чему-либо, New Year’s Day – Новый год, Good Friday – Страстная, Великая пятница, Easter Monday – Второй день Пасхи, May Day Holiday – Первое мая, Spring Bank Holiday – весенний день отдыха (выходной день – последний понедельник мая), Late Summer Bank Holiday – летний день отдыха (последний понедельник августа; официальный выходной день, Christmas Day – Рождество, Boxing Day – день рождественских подарков (26 декабря; официальный нерабочий день в Британском Содружестве и многих других европейских странах), New Year’s Eve – Канун нового года, to sit the Old Year out – провожать старый год, “Auld lang syne” – «Доброе старое время» (шотландская песня на слова Роберта Бёрнса, по традиции поют во время праздников), mistletoe – омела белая, “Good Friday” — страстная, великая пятница, a bun – булочка, a cross – крест, a ribbon – бант, to symbolize – символизировать, birth – рождение, straight away – сразу же, a servants – слуга, to celebrate – справлять, отмечать, St. Valentine’s Day – День Святого Валентина, Shrove Tuesday – вторник на Масленой неделе (последний день перед Великим постом у католиков и англиканцев), Pancake Day – вторник на Масленой неделе, the fasting of Lent – Великий Пост, not signed – не подписанный, a love-token – символ любви, a fancy dress party – маскарадная вечеринка, a lantern – фонарь, a pumpkin – тыква, holy evening – священный вечер, to play tricks – разыгрывать кого-либо, Guy Fawkes Night – Ночь Гая Фокса (день раскрытия плана по взрыву парламента), to blow up – взрывать, a barrel with gunpowder – бочонок с порохом, to execute – казнить, patron saint days – дни святых покровителей.

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