Adventurous Journey to Festivals

CONTEXT

Chapter1................................................................................... 3 - 7
New Year

Chapter2................................................................................... 8 - 12
Easter

Chapter3................................................................................... 13 - 17
Children's Day

Chapter4................................................................................... 18 - 20
Ramadan Feast

Chapter5................................................................................... 21 - 24
Halloween

Nataly: We’re are so glad that you’ve decided to visit our country – Poland.
Adventurous boy: I’m glad too. I’ve heard that your country is rich in traditions.
Nataly: So feel free to ask anything you want to know. We are glad to answer all your questions.
Adventurous boy: What about the New Year traditions?
Nataly: As all people all over the world we have parties, concerts and fireworks at midnight. The sky looks like the exploding stars! The cities are nicely decorated and lit.
Adventurous boy: Yes, they are amazing! Especially colourful ones! It’s amazing watching them to explode so beautifully in the sky.
Nataly: Watch! They are just setting them in the sky right now.
Adventurous boy: Let’s take selfie together, it will be a great memory!
Nataly: Sure!

Adventurous boy: Nataly! I have a question, why is your grandpa opening every window? It’s 00.00 o’clock and it’s really cold outside.
Nataly: Well listen. It’s our tradition.
Adventurous boy: -Seriously? Why? I’m really curious about it?
Nataly: When it’s 00.00 o’clock the oldest family member has to open every window to invite the New Year to our house.
Adventurous boy: Oh.. so that’s why he does it. But still it’s cold and snowy.
Nataly: ok, I will make you some hot chocolate. And don’t get angry because the traditions says as you spend this special day you’ll spend the rest of the year in such a way.
Adventurous boy: So, I’ll do as you say, thanks for that hot chocolate, I feel much better now.

Nataly: As we’re the Ukrainian minority in Poland we can tell you about some more Ukrainian traditions. Have you ever heard that we celebrate the the New Year twice?
Adventurous boy: Really? Cool! So, why do Ukrainians celebrate 2 New Years?
Nataly: The first one follows the Gregorian calendar - January 1st when Ukrainians join in with the rest of the world in the craziness of fireworks and midnight parties. The second one follows the Julian calendar- January 14th. This customs are best preserved by the inhabitants of villages.
Adventurous boy: Sounds very interesting. Do you go to school that day?

Nataly: Actually it’s not a free a day . Despite the fact that this holiday is not an official one, locals never miss a chance to celebrate it one more time.
Adventurous boy: Do you meet your friends that day?
Nataly: Yes, we do but also crowds of young people are walking to the neighbouring houses to sing Christmas carols - and the owners of the house treates them with sweets or gives money.

Adventurous boy: For me it sounds simillar to Halloween.
Nataly: Yes but people don’t do any tricks and it’s not a scary holiday but it has energy of warmth and kindness, pleasant atmospere and positive emotions.
Adventurous boy: You’ve mentioned the 13 and the 14 January, why?
Nataly: According to the tradition early in the morning on 14 January it is lucky for us if the first person to enter our house is a man or a boy. Once he enteres the room, he throws grain or wheat onto the floor wishing good luck and happiness for the upcoming New Year.
Adventurous boy: Many thanks for those interesting explanations about celebrating the New Year. It’s time for me to visit another country. See you, bye!
Nataly: It was our pleasure to have you as a guest in our house! Have a nice and safe trip! Bye!

Sara: Hello Adventurous boy. Welcome here in Slovakia, our beautiful country.
Adventurous boy: Hi everyone. I’m glad to be here. This country is really beautiful. Well, can you tell me about your famous festival?
Bianca: Of course, we can introduce one of the famous festivals. It is Easter.
Adventurous boy: When do you celebrate it?
Martin: We celebrate it in April. This year the Easter will last 5 days, from 14 April to 18 April. We have also break from school.
Adventurous boy: What do you celebrate?

Bianca: Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But Easter is also celebration of birth; therefore we have eggs, chicken and bunnies as a symbol of spring.
Adventurous boy: Wow, it is really interesting. How do you prepare for Easter?
Órfhlaith: Easter preparations begin several days before Easter. To be ready for the feast, people bake pastries, cookies and do extensive grocery shopping. We buy sausages and ham and of course chocolate eggs. Before Easter we prepare special food and cakes. As we mention Easter is Christian holiday, therefore we usually go to church to sing songs and pray.

Happy
Easter