FESTIVALS

HALLOWEEN Halloween is a very old festival. It' s more than two thousand years old. Halloween is two words Hallow + een Hallow is an old word for "Saint" Een is an old word for "Eve" (the night before). So Halloween is the night before "All Saints Day", on 31th October. Halloween celebrated death and the end of the year in the Celtic calendar. Today it is a funny festival. Children dress up scary costumes and say "Trick or treat". Most people give them sweets. One of the simbols of Halloween are pumpkin lanterns called "Jack o’ lantern".  

A Song SMELL MY FEET GIVE ME SOMETHING GOOD TO EAT A RHYME TRICK OR TREAT   SMELL MY FEET GIVE ME SOMETHING   GOOD TO EAT A Song

BONFIRE NIGHT "Bonfire night" is often called Guy Fawkes night. Bonfire night is a popular British festival, it's on November 5th.. On 5th November 1606 Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and to kill King James. His plan failed and Guy Fawkes was hanged. Today children make a "guy" with straw and old clothes and put it at the top of the bonfire. Children ask money to buy fireworks. "A penny for the Guy“ FOOD: Jacket potatoes and toffee apples.

Remember, remember the fifth of November. Gunpowder treason and plot We see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.

THANKSGIVING DAY   In November, on the fourth Thursday,there’s a special American festival:Thanksgiving Day. In this festival Americans remember this historical event: It’s 1620 and a big ship (the Mayflower) lands in America. It comes from England and it is full of people (the Pilgrim Fathers). White people are cold and hungry and native Americans give them food and clothes. Native Americans help them to grow corn and to hunt. White people make a big party for the native Americans to thank them. Now, every year, people in the U.S.A. have a Thanksgiving Day. In New York there’s a big parade. On this day people eat turkey, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie.

CHRISTMAS Christmas is the biggest festival in Britain. The most important days of the Christmas festival are: 24th : Christmas Eve 25th : Christmas Day 26th : Boxing Day Young children think that Father Christmas brings the presents, so they hung some Chistmas stockings by the fire or at their beds. On Christmas Eve children put, under the Christmas tree, a glass of milk and a slice of cake for Santa Claus and a carrot for Rudolph (the reindeer). Traditional Christmas meal is: Roast turkey ,stuffing, roast potatoes and vegetables , Christmas pudding and mince pie.

Boxing Day Christmas Crackers The name goes back to medieval times, more than 800 years ago, when alms boxes were placed at the back of every church to collect money for the poor. Boxing Day is also known as St. Stephen's Day Christmas Crackers Crackers are very popular on Christmas Day. Inside the crackers there is a tissue paper hat, a joke and a little gift.

ST. VALENTINE'S DAY February14th is St. Valentine’s Day .   February14th is St. Valentine’s Day . On Valentine’s Day you send a card to someone you love or like, because this festival is a symbol of friendship and love. Roses are red Violets are blue Be my Valentine I love you!

PANCAKE DAY   Pancake Day is usually in February and sometimes in March. It’s about 5 weeks before Easter.  This day is also called “Shrove Tuesday”: the day before Lent. This day is famous for the food called pancakes (crepes) with sugar and jam or lemon.  In some English towns there are”pancake races” where you have to run with pancake in a frying pan and toss it without dropping it!!

EASTER Easter is always between March 22nd and April 25th. Look for the first full moon after March 21st. The first Sunday after full moon is Easter Sunday. Easter is a national holiday in Britain, children don’t go to school, banks and shops are closed. Eggs and chicks are symbols of Easter, because they are symbol of birth. A typical activity for children on Easter morning is to go on eggs hunt. Traditionally in Britain and America the Easter Bunny brings chocolate Easter eggs.

Easter Calendar Palm Sunday Domenica delle Palme Maundy Thursday Go to Mass and take a twig of olive Maundy Thursday Giovedì Santo The Queen gives”maundy” money to the poor. Good Friday Venerdì Santo Eat “ HOT CROSS BUNS” Easter Sunday Pasqua Eat/give Easter eggs Easter Monday Pasquetta Easter parade, national holiday

If you have no daughters, HOT CROSS BUNS Hot cross buns One a penny, two a penny. Hot cross buns. If you have no daughters, Give them to your sons, One a penny,two a penny,

ST.PATRICK DAY St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick Day is on March 17 th. In Ireland ST. PATRICK’S DAY is a holy day and a national holiday. ST. PATRICK’S DAY is celebrated by Irish people all around the world. One of the biggest parades is in New York. The symbol of Ireland is the SHAMROCK. St. Patrick used it to explain the holy trinity to the people.  

THE END GOOD LUCK!!!!!