Презентация «Russian Holidays and Traditions»

Russian Holidays and Traditions Every country has its own customs, traditions and holidays and Russia is no exception. At the beginning of each year Russian people celebrate New Year and Christmas. Both children and adults love these public holidays. People don’t work or study for several days. They relax at home, visit relatives and exchange presents. New Year starts at midnight on the 31st of December and Russian Christmas is on the 7th of January. It is a religious holiday and many people go to church services on that day. Next holidays are “Men’s Day” on the 23rd of February and “Women’s Day” on the 8th of March. On “Men’s Day” women prepare small gifts for their loved men. On “Women’s Day” men do everything around the house and cook all the meals. Easter is one of the widely celebrated holidays in Russia. Its date changes from year to year but usually falls on April.Children exchange coloured eggs and women bake traditional cakes called “paska”. It is an official public holiday when people don’t work but go on demonstration instead. The 1st of May is the Day of Labour in Russia. One of the greatest national holidays is Victory Day on May the 9th, which commemorates the victory of Russia at the Second World War. On this day the veterans take part in military parades. One of the newest holidays in Russia is the Independence Day, which is celebrated on the 12th of June. It was the day when the first Russian President was elected in 1992. All pupils and students of the country start their school-year on the 1st of September. This holiday is considered to be the Day of Knowledge. Students usually present their teachers with flowers. Today, Russians also celebrate many foreign holidays, such as St. Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, Chinese New Year and so on. People traditionally eat lots of pancakes on this holiday and burn the scarecrow saying farewell to winter snow. One of the most interesting holidays in Russia takes place at the end of February to celebrate the end of winter. The holiday lasts for a week which is known as a Shrovetide. In Russia this holiday is called “Maslennitsa” Every June many Russians celebrate the holiday called “The night of Ivan Kupala”. People traditionally weave the wreaths from wildflowers, make the bonfires and swim in lakes on the night of this day.