Easter is a Christian holiday. Easter can be between March 19 and April 25. The dates vary because of the March equinox. Many countries have public holidays on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday.
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus. His body was then moved to a cave where it was placed in a tomb. The cave’s entrance was covered by a giant stone put there by Roman soldiers. Many Christians remember this by going to church on Good Friday. Easter Sunday is when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ, after his crucifixion.
Easter for many, is all about chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs (chocolate eggs). The Easter bunny originates from the pagan festival of Eastre. Eastre was a goddess worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons. Her symbol was the rabbit.
May Day traditions in Britain include Morris dancing, the crowning of the May Queen and Maypole dancing.
Morris dancers normally perform on May Day. These are men wearing folk costumes and bell pads on their shins. They use sticks, swords and handkerchiefs that maybe wielded by the dancers during their dance.
The May Queen is a girl who must ride or walk at the front of a parade for May Day celebrations. She wears a white gown to symbolise purity and usually wears a tiara or crown. She is generally crowned by flowers and makes a speech ahead of any dancing taking place.
Today, let’s talk about great traditional board games. Perhaps the obvious one is chess? Traditionally it is played on a chess board and involves two players. Chess pieces include the King, Queen, Knights, Bishops, Rooks and Pawns, which are either black or white in colour. The winner is when one person checkmates their opponent.
Perhaps you might fancy a game of draughts? Once again it involves two people who play the game using a black and white draught board and circular black or white draught pieces.
May Day traditions in Britain include Morris dancing, the crowning of the May Queen and Maypole dancing.
Morris dancers normally perform on May Day. These are men wearing folk costumes and bell pads on their shins. They use sticks, swords and handkerchiefs that maybe wielded by the dancers during their dance.
Category: May Day / Tradition / Britain
Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Christ after his crucifixion. In many countries Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays. Easter is a moveable date. It is held on the first Sunday after the full moon following the March equinox.
Easter is preceded by Lent, a forty day period of fasting, penance and prayer. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week. It includes Maundy Thursday; when various religious leaders wash people’s feet.
Category: Easter / Jesus / Tradition
Today, let’s talk about Christmas. What is it? Why is it? How do we celebrate it? What does it mean to you? Also how has it changed over the years? Some interesting questions for you to mull over…maybe over a glass of Glühwein? This German pre-Christmas tradition has in recent years spread across Europe to the UK in the form of popular Christmas markets.
In Britain, people celebrate Christmas with roast turkey and all the trimmings followed by Christmas pudding. Families open their presents that surround the Christmas tree. In Europe, many people eat fish, a good catholic tradition, for their Christmas meal. In Central Europe, they celebrate Christmas one day early on the evening of December 24. It is also a public holiday on this day in some of these countries!
Today, let’s talk about Christmas. What is it? Why is it? How do we celebrate it? What does it mean to you? Also how has it changed over the years? Some interesting questions for you to mull over…maybe over a glass of Glühwein? This German pre-Christmas tradition has in recent years spread across Europe to the UK in the form of popular Christmas markets.
Category: Christmas / December / Tradition
Pre-Christmas - The English like to celebrate Christmas well ahead of the actual day. Before the kids break up from school toddlers might visit Santa’s grotto in a local department store. Children at primary and secondary schools might hold Christmas bazaars. Kids at secondary schools normally have to go to church for the annual carol service. Adults meanwhile celebrate with the Christmas office party! That’s always good festive fun!
There are Christmas lights in the main parts of most towns and these days some people like to decorate the front of their houses with Christmas lights. Meanwhile many retailers in England have been flogging Christmas goodies since October! The advent calendar is also a must for kids to open daily in December. Christmas markets are now very popular.
Category: England / Traditional Christmas / Christmas
Pre-Christmas - The English like to celebrate Christmas well ahead of the actual day. Before the kids break up from school toddlers might visit Santa’s grotto in a local department store. Children at primary and secondary schools might hold Christmas bazaars. Kids at secondary schools normally have to go to church for the annual carol service. Adults meanwhile celebrate with the Christmas office party! That’s always good festive fun!
There are Christmas lights in the main parts of most towns and these days some people like to decorate the front of their houses with Christmas lights. Meanwhile many retailers in England have been flogging Christmas goodies since October! The advent calendar is also a must for kids to open daily in December. Christmas markets are now very popular.
Category: England / Traditional Christmas / Christmas
