BRITISH HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS CHAPTER 8 Holidays and

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

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