Category: Topics in the syllabus
Each country in the world has its own cultural traditions that identify its heritage and make them uniquely different. Here are 7 public holidays around the world:
1. Halloween
It’s a celebration on the night of October 31st. It is most practiced in the United States, Canada and Ireland. Children wear costumes and go to peoples' homes saying "Trick or treat!" to ask for candy (sweets in the UK) and people give it to them. People often dress up as monsters, ghosts, witches, or other scary things.
2. St. Patrick´s day
It’s a global celebration of Irish culture on or around March 17th. It particularly remembers one of Ireland’s patron saints. It is also widely celebrated in Great Britain, Canada, the United States, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand. Many people wear an item of green clothing on the day. Parties featuring Irish food and drinks. The most common symbol is the shamrock which represents the Holy Trinity.
3. Diwali
It´s India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians. The five-day celebration occurs annually in October or November; the exact dates are dependent on the Hindu lunar calendar. It represents new beginnings and the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. The houses are decorated with candles, colorful lights and oil lamps made from clay (diyas). People visit their relatives and have feasts.
4. Thanksgiving
It’s a national holiday celebrated in Canada, in the United States, in some of the Caribbean islands, Germany and Japan. It was originally celebrated as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. It’s celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. It generally centered on a large roasted turkey.
5. St. Valentine's day
Common Valentine’s Day traditions around the world include giving partners sweet Valentine’s Day cards, chocolates in heart-shaped boxes, jewelry, cute stuffed animals and roses. Instead of roses, Peruvians typically exchange orchids, which are native to Peru. In South Korea and Japan, women give chocolate to the men in their live.
6. New years' Eve
It starts in the evening on December 31st. There are large celebrations which may feature concerts, late-night partying, sporting events, and fireworks. Some young people go to parties and others stay at home with their family. After the celebrations, it’s traditional to make plans for the new year on January 1st and the idea is to make some positive changes in your life.
7. Christmas
It’s a religious holiday. It’s celebrated on December 25th. It’s the day on which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Families come together to share their happiness, go to church and exchange gifts. People decorate their homes with trees, wreaths and ornaments. Most people eat turkey and sprouts and a pudding. Pumpkin pie, plum pudding and fruit cake are favorite desserts. In many parts of the USA and Canada, groups of people walk from house to house and sing carols.
