Holidays in the United Kingdom as a reflection of

British traditions

Done by Vika Kuznetsova10 A form student

secondary school N 198Seversk

Public Holidays1 January - New Year`s Day21 March - Good Friday5 May - May Bank Holiday26 May - Spring Bank Holiday25 August - Summer Bank Holiday25 December - Christmas Day26 December - Boxing Day

Christmas is on 25 December

Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus ChristIt was first celebrated in 354Christmas tree, holly, mistletoe are used to decorate the

houseChristmas cards, Santa Claus, Christmas stockings, Carol

singing are associated with this holidayChristmas lunch includes turkey, pudding

Important festivals, anniversaries

14 February-St Valentine`s Day1 April-April Fool`s Day31 October-Hallowe`en

St valentine`s Day is celebrated on 14 February

There are several theories about the origin of this holiday: from ancient Roman festival Lupercalia, in honour of two saints of the early Christian church, from a Norman word which means “lover”, from an old English belief that birds choose their mates on that day

The symbols of the holiday are valentines, red hearts, Cupid

Special holidays in the countries of the UK

1 March-St David`s Day (Wales)17 March-St Patrick`s Day (Northern Ireland)23 April-St George`s Day (England)1 December-St Andrew`s Day (Scotland)

St George`s Day

England`s national day is celebrated on 23 AprilEnglishmen hoist a flag of England (St George`s Cross)St George`s emblem (the flag of England) was adopted by

Richard the Lion Heart in the 12th centuryPeople in England arrange parades, carry red rores,

prepare traditional English dishes (roast beef, Yorkshire pudding)

Holidays having religious roots

22 March – 25 April Easter25 December - Christmas Day26 December – Boxing Day

Easter (22 March – 25 April)

Christian religious holiday which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his Crucifixion

Easter eggs, Easter Bunny are the symbols of Easter

Holidays based on historical events

27 January – Up – Helly - Aa1 April – April Fool`s Day5 November – Guy Fawkes Night11 November – Remembrance Day

Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated on 5 November

Guy Fawkes with a group of men planned to blow up the Parliament

Every year the English celebrate the fact the Parliament was not blown by Guy Fawkes

Towns and villages light huge bonfires, burn an effigy of Guy Fawkes, cook jacket potatoes

Holidays growing from national customs and traditions

1 January - First Footing22 March – Mother`s Day1 May – May Day24 June – Midsummer`s Day23 September – Harvest Festival

May Day is celebrated on 1 May

Ancient Celts celebrated Beltane as it represented the first day of summer

The day is marked with village folk cavorting round the maypole, the selection of the May Queen and the Jack-in-the Green at the head of the dancing procession