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The New Year holiday is very popular in our country, especially with children. In every house there is a fir-tree. The presents are supposed to be sent by Father Frost and the Snow Maiden. People usually see the New Year is sitting round a festive table. They are addressing New Year’s greetings and good wishes to one another. They are raising their wine glasses filled with sparkling champagne. This tradition goes back to an ancient time. In 1700 Peter the Great opening the window on the West ignored the old tradition and introduced the Julianian calendar that started with the approximate date of the birth of Jesus Christ. Peter ordered to celebrate the New Year on the 1st of January. And since time we always celebrate this holiday on the 1st of January. The Russian Christmas is celebrated on the 7th of January. This holiday is connected with the wonderful birth of Jesus Christ as it is described in the Holy Bible. On that day, about 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem. When Jesus was born, wise men from the East came to worship him. They gave the Child presents-gold, frankincense and myrrh. That’s why people nowadays try to please their friends and relatives giving them Christmas presents.

Christmas-tide is a very interesting period. It is from January the 7th(Christmas) till January the 19th (Epiphany). It was established by the Church in honour of the birth and baptism of Jesus Christ. At the period people used to walk wearing fances costumes and singing songs, they went from house to house giving and receiving gifts and treats. At last,the Russian Shrovetide. It is the last Sunday before the Lent that proceeds Easter. It is celebrated as the Farewell-to-Winter Festival. On the day people have fun. They ride a troika, climb a pole for a gift. Eating pancakes on that day is a pagan tradition. It is connected with glorifying the sun: pancakes are oval as the sun. Father Frost and Spring the Beauty are the main characters of the festival. In some regions people burn the figure of the Winter. On this day people say goodbye to winter and welcome spring.

Answer the questions.

1 What are the main winter Russian holidays?
2 When do the Russian celebrate the New Year?
3 Who did order to celebrate the New Year?
4 When do the Russian celebrate Christmas?
5 Who was born on that day?
6 What gifts did wise men give the Child?
7 When do people in Russia walk wearing fances costumes and singing songs?
8 Do you celebrate the Russian Shrovetide?
9 Do you think that holidays and celebrations are important part of our lives? Why?
10 Which of the celebrations or festivals are important for you?

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