Задание №10 — Чтение

Easter is the most important day of the year for Christians. In America, Easter means church services, Easter egg hunts, and baskets full of candy. French children don’t get treats from the Easter bunny; they get them from the Easter bells. Easter in Portugal is celebrated with sweet bread called Floor da Pascoa. The bread is usually served at breakfast on Easter morning. The island of Corfu gets pretty messy on the morning of Holy Saturday. Those who live there take part in the annual “Pot Throwing”.

Maslenitsa, or Pancake Week, is one of the most cheerful holidays in Russia. It’s a gathering of Russian people to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Pancakes are eaten all week during the festival to symbolise the sun in shape and colour. People eat pancakes with a variety of jams, butter and even caviar. According to the tradition, Sunday is the day to convince sins, say sorry, forgive and start anew. One of the most fun and anticipated parts on this day is the burning of Lady Maslenitsa.

Traditions represent a crucial piece of our culture. They help form the structure and foundation of our families and our society. They remind us that we are part of a history that defines our past, shapes who we are today and who we are likely to become. They serve as a venue for creating lasting memories for our families and friends. Once we ignore the meaning of our traditions, we’re in danger of damaging the underpinning of our identity. It is a pity but some people can’t even remember the true meaning of the holidays.

There are a lot of different holidays around the world. Christmas is a national holiday worldwide and one of the most beautiful and inspiring events in the world. It marks the birth of Jesus Christ as he was considered to be a present from God to humanity. Decorated Christmas trees and children waiting for Santa to bring gifts in winter make it a perfect sight for everyone. It is generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is one of the most festive times of the year.

People all over the world celebrate special days known as festivals or holidays. Some of these days are connected to specific dates, but others are not. The word “holiday” originally meant “holy day”. Many holidays are still religious, but others are not. The word “festival” comes from the word “feast”. The earliest festivals seem to have been connected with offerings to the dead. Food plays a major role in many of today’s festivals and holidays. The Thanksgiving turkey is an example of a traditional food linked to a holiday.

The Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony landed in America on their ship in December 1620. Only half of them survived that first winter. The next year, the harvest in the fall was good. To celebrate their harvest, the colonists and their guests enjoyed a three-day feast. In December 1941 Congress named the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. Many people use this holiday as a day to reflect on the positive things in life and spend time with the people they love. Nearly everyone gets one or two days off school or work.

A holiday is a day for celebration when a lot of people are allowed to have days off work or school. Most countries have a designated national day. This holiday usually celebrates something notable in the creation of that country, such as its independence or signing of the constitution. There is no uniform definition of a public holiday around the world. It can occur on the same date every year. In some countries, the date varies from year to year. Bank holidays can mean two different things depending on which country you are in.