BRITISH HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS CHAPTER 8

Holidays and Customs and their origins tell us what is important in a culture Most holidays throughout the world provide opportunities for families and friends to get together to visit, eat, exchange good wishes and enjoy each other’s company and hospitality

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS Britain remains mainly a Christian nation, however many do not go to church to worship Many other religions Christian festivals are observed but adapted to fit needs of a secular society Non-Christians and Christians participate in activities for Christmas and Easter

NATIVITY Birth of Jesus

CHRISTMAS December 25 Biggest and best loved holiday Schools, businesses, and offices close Celebration of birth of Jesus Christ-Christmas mass-worship service. Son of God to save the world from sin

WINTER SOLSTICE Includes some Christmas traditions- decorating house, kissing/mistletoe

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Exchange gifts and cards Holiday foods Decorating homes/workplace Christmas trees Christmas lights/ornaments CHRISTMAS

MISTLETOE

HOME DECORATED

SPECIAL BRITISH CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS Christmas Pantomime-Panto a comical musical play based on traditional children’s story, with main character the “principal boy” played by a young woman Queen’s Christmas message/past year & hopes Boxing Day-day after Christmas/old custom for servants-now sales, food etc. most people don’t know why

EASTER FOR CHRISTIANS MOST IMPORTANT CHRISTIAN FESTIVAL COMMEMORATES THE CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS AND THE PROMISE THAT THOSE WHO BELIEVE WILL DIE BUT BE RESURRECTED TO LIVE WITH GOD IN HEAVEN FOREVER MANY ATTEND CHURCH FOR THIS HOPE MANY CELEBRATE THE SECULAR THINGS GIFTS, CANDY, EASTER BUNNY, ETC.

CRUCIFIXION

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS Queen’s birthday Known as “Trooping the Colour” Second Saturday in June Buckingham Palace in London Like a National Day

SAINT PATRICKS DAY Northern Ireland Catholics Patron Saint of Ireland-St Patrick March 17 SP lived 5 th century btb one who brought Christianity to Ireland Tradition-drove out snakes or evil and used three leaf clover/shamrock to explain Christian Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) to Pagans Irish

Hogmanay Scotland New Years Eve First footing – first person to visit home bring luck. Young, dark haired and handsome brings extra good luck-party

HALLOWEEN Halloween – Oct. 31 Great feast of Pagan Celts Arrival of winter Some believe can commune with the dead Mischief Fortune-telling & masquerades

EISTEDDFOD WALES CELTIC WORD-MEANS GATHERING PEOPLE RECITE VERSES SING SONGS TO HELP CONTINUE WELSH LANGUAGE AS IT IS DISAPPEARING

MANY CELEBRATIONS AND HOLIDDAYS DIFFERENT CULTURES DIFFERENT HISTORIES SOME HAVE CHANGED OVER TIME SOME ANCIENT PAGAN TRADITIONS ADOPTED BY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

CONCLUSION YOU MIGHT SEE: WELSH CELEBRATE BURNS NIGHT LONDONERS WATCH DRAGON DANCES AT CHINESE NEW YEAR MUSLIMS ENJOY CHOCOLATE EASTER EGGS CHRISTIAN SHOPPING ON BOXING DAY SUCH HOLIDAYS SHOW CULTURES CHANGE/INFLUENCE EA. OTHER OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE OF UK

THE END THAT’S ALL