Рождество в Англии.

МБОУ " Krasnikovskaya secondary school»

Project on the theme: Christmas in England

Performed:

Student of 6 form

Komarova Victoria

Christmas in the UK (England)

Christmas in the UK is celebrated on December 25. It is celebrated in the circle of the closest people. The spirit of British Christmas can be fully felt in London. On the eve of the holiday near the main Christmas tree of the country in Trafalgar square, charities organize performances for adults and children about the birth and life of Jesus Christ. Musical groups and choirs perform Christmas carols ("Christmas carols"). Leicester square is the main fair of the country, where you can buy Souvenirs, gifts, decorations and feast on festive sweets.

Traditions and rituals

The pre-Christmas period in the country opens advent, which begins four weeks before the holiday. On advent Sundays, parishioners attend Church services dedicated to gospel readings. On Christmas Eve (December 24), residents of the UK go to Church, and in the evening they gather at a festive table with close relatives. In ancient times, the English had a tradition of making and burning Christmas log. They believed, that such rite of passage helped to leave all adversity and problems in old year. Tradition has changed. Now, instead of a log, the British light thick Christmas candles. December 25, the British devote rest, communication with loved ones. At Christmas, they are waiting for the Queen's address, which is broadcast on national TV channels.

Festive table

In British Housewives believe the sign that what will be the table at Christmas, so it will be all next year. The main dish of the festive table is baked stuffed Turkey or goose. In some areas of Scotland and Ireland this role is played by roasted goat or beef, which is popularly called the Christmas goat or Christmas bull. The custom of baking traditional bread, which is a round cake decorated with patterns in the form of crosses, has been preserved. Some Housewives arrange comic divination, baking in Christmas bread bean grain, ring, coin, button. At a festive dinner, it is solemnly cut and divided among family members. Bob foretells happiness, button-failure, coin-wealth, ring-wedding. One piece of bread is left for the poor and taken to Church the next day. On the table there are also traditional dishes of English cuisine: baked potatoes with bacon, roasted chestnuts, braised Brussels sprouts

Gifts

Christmas cards are popular in the UK. Residents of the country send them in large numbers to relatives, friends, acquaintances. British adults traditionally presents gifts to the youngest member of the family before the festive dinner. Children receive gifts from Santa Claus. They write him letters with wishes and burn. So the messages must reach the North pole. Santa Claus puts gifts in socks, which children on the eve of the holiday hang in front of the beds. In gratitude, the girls and boys leave their favorite character a glass of brandy and a piece of meat pie. Small residents of the country begin to receive Christmas gifts from the first week of advent. Parents prepare four envelopes for children, in which they hide small gifts (sweets). Every week of advent they open one envelope.

History of the holiday

The history of the celebration of Christmas in the UK goes back to antiquity. In the middle Ages there was a tradition to arrange theatrical performances - "mysteries". Participants of the mysteries wore masks and presented excerpts of biblical scenes to the audience. In the villages of Scotland people gathered on the lawns, played games and had fun with the music of bagpipes. In 1644, the Protestant Church banned the celebration of Christmas throughout the country. Religious traditions of the holiday have lost their role. The main celebration was the New year. At the end of the XVII century, Christmas traditions began to revive. By the twentieth century, Christmas had become a purely family holiday. The tradition of decorating a Christmas tree came in 1841 when Queen Victoria and Prince albert installed a pine beauty for their children at Windsor castle. The English liked this tradition. It quickly spread throughout the United Kingdom.

Cities and resorts

In winter, London has a magical holiday atmosphere. Christmas fairs and street performances attract the attention of citizens and tourists. The city is filled with ice rinks in the open air, where adults and children can actively and have fun. After Christmas, shopping centers start Grand sales that attract shoppers. North Yorkshire will amaze with picturesque landscapes of the National Park North York Moors and Yorkshire valleys. Whitby Abbey and York are famous for their ancient architecture and majestic Gothic cathedrals.

Thank your for attention!