1. Festivals and holidays
Tereza Doležalová, V8A
Gymnázium Jiřího Ortena
20th March 2015

2. Content Festivals in the USA Festivals in England
Festivals in the Czech Republic

3. Festivals in the USA

4. Independence day 4th July Lots of fireworks in the street
Celebrates independence from Great Britain
America wanted the independence because of pay taxes
Independence 1776
The first president: George Washington

5. Halloween The night of October 31 Parties Costumes Trick-or treat
Pumpkins with the scary faces
Traditional game: apple bobbing – picking apples out of a bowl of water with the teeth

6. Thanksgiving
1620 – a group of people (Pilgrims) sailed from England to America on a ship (Mayflower)
Native Americans taught them how to grow corn and vegetables, build better houses and treat their diseases
After a year, they wanted to thank the Americans – invited them for a diner -> the first Thanksgiving
On the fourth Thursday in November
Traditional: Turkey with cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes; a pumpkin pie

7. Christmas December 25 Decorate their homes and gardens with lights
Turkey
Exchange gifts
Mythical fugure: Santa Claus

8. Festivals in England

9. Pancake day In spring Pancake races
People run and throw pancakes in the air

10. Guy Fawkes Night – „Bonfire Night“
November 5
Guy Fawkes – wanted to blow up the Parliament and the King in 1605
– arrested and thrown onto a bonfire
Very noisy festival
Lots of fireworks and bonfires
Chlidren walk around and ask for a „penny for the guy“
Buy fireworks for the money

11. St Patrick‘s Day
March 17
In tribute to St Patrick, the patron of Ireland
Brought the Christianity to Ireland
Symbol: a green shamrock

12. Christmas December 24: Christmas Eve
December 25: Christmas Day – people open the gifts
Christmas dinner: Turkey and Christmas pudding
Mythical figure: Father Christmas

13. Festivals in the Czech Republic

14. St. Nicholas Day December 6
During the evening before: angels, devils and St. Nicholas – from house to house and give presents to well behaved children
Children: sing a song or tell a poem

15. Christmas
Advent
Christmas tree: ornaments, chocolate candies, gingerbread, candles,…
Christmas dinner: fried carp with potato salad
Midnight mass
Mythical figure: Little Jesus

16. Silvestr Celebrating the end of the year Fireworks in the streets
In English speaking countries: New Year‘s Eve

17. Easter In spring Easter Monday:
men hit the women with a stick (woven willows)
girls and women stay young and beautiful
Girls and women give men coloured eggs

18. Sources
holidays.html
traditions.html
17th March 2015