英美国家入门与文化概况.ppt

Holidays and festivals in Britain To Provide an opportunity for families and friends to get together Religious holidays Christmas-the biggest and best loves British holiday Date:Oct.25th Christian meaning: to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ Christian traditions: 1.decorating the house with evergreen plants 2.kissing under a twig of mistletoe ( Celtic or pagan traditions1-2) 3.exchanging gifts and Christmas cards 4.preparing holiday foods. 5.decorating homes and workplaces (nowadays 3-5) Particular British traditions 6.christmas pantomime (comical musical play) 7. to hear the Queen give her Christmas message to her realm over the TV and radio 8. Boxing day-the day after Christmas: shopping, eating visiting and relaxing Easter Most important Christian festival for church goers Time: spring Symbol: Easter egg (originally a Christian symbol of new life) Celebrations: people give each other chocolate or candy Easter eggs National holidays The U.K has no national day The queen’s birthday: 2nd Saturday in June Celebration: trooping the color around Buckingham Palace in London Holidays in the 4 nations England Bonfire night (guy Fawkes Night): celebrated in the early autumn Protestant celebration of their victory over Catholics Northern Ireland: Marching Season 12th July is the high point St Patrick’s Day_to celebrate the birthday of the patron saint of Ireland March 17th Scotland Hogmanay-new year’s Eve Burns supper -on the evening of 25th January to celebrate Robert Burns Halloween -Oct.31st,to celebrate the arrival of the winter Wales Eisteddfod-in August, a gathering where people recite verses and sing songs to celebrate their culture and language * *