Read the text.

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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