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

NATIVITYBirth 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 5th 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