Holiday in Great Britain

Introduction

Every nation and every country has its own traditions and customs. They are a part of a national history. Traditions make a nation special. Some of them are old-fashioned but people remember and follow them, others are part of people’s lives. Some British customs and traditions as well as some holidays are known all over the world but there are also holidays which are known only in Great Britain. At the school English lessons we studied some popular British holidays such as Christmas, St Valentine`s Day, Guy Fawkes Night and the ways the British spend them. I found this information very interesting but not sufficient. I would like to know about the historical roots of these holidays which determined their characteristics. Also I would like to learn about some typically British holidays. Great Britain is a country of customs and traditions. A lot of them have very long histories. Some are funny, some are strange. But they all are interesting and they are internal and essential part of the British way of life. There are fewer public holidays in Great Britain than in other European countries. They are the days when most of offices and shops are closed and people don't need to go to the work. British Bank Holidays are: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday and Summer Bank Holiday. Bank Holiday is official day off, common day of rest, besides Sunday. British bank holidays have been recognized since 1871. The name Bank Holiday comes from the time when banks were shut and so no trading could take place during this time. This time is often spent with family. Besides public holidays, there are also different festivals, anniversaries, special days for example Bonfire Night on which certain traditions are observed. Like the whole world, Russian people love celebrating their holidays. Celebrations in Russia reflect many aspects of its history, culture and traditions. Some Russian festivities are official public holidays and government offices, schools and banks have their days off. These are New Year (January, 1^st – 5^th), Orthodox Christmas (January, 7^th), Defender of the Motherland Day (February, 23^rd), International Women’s Day (March, 8^th), Spring and Labour Day (May, 1^st), Victory Day (May, 9^th), Russia Day (June, 12^th), National Unity Day (November, 4^th) and Constitution Day (December, 12^th).

The Russians usually celebrate holidays with plenty of food and presents. The most popular holiday is New Year’s Day. Russian people decorate fir-trees, cook delicious meals, make fireworks. All children wait for Father Frost and his granddaughter Snegurochka to get presents from them. On Christmas people visit their relatives and friends and tell fortunes.

Holiday in Great Britain

Regional variations

· In Scotland, while New Year's Day and Christmas Day are national holidays, other bank holidays are not necessarily public holidays, since the Scots instead observe traditional local custom and practice for their public holidays.

· In Northern Ireland, once again, bank holidays other than New Year's Day and Christmas Day are not necessarily public holidays.

· Good Friday and Christmas Day are common law holidays, except in Scotland, where they are bank holidays

• In Scotland the holiday on 1 January (or 2 January if 1 January is Sunday) is statutory. If New Year's Day is Saturday a substitute holiday is given on 4 January by Royal Proclamation. 2 January is given by Royal Proclamation, with a substitute holiday on 4 January if it is Saturday and 3 January if it is Sunday or Monday. Outside Scotland, 1 January is given by Royal Proclamation, or 3 January if it is Saturday and 2 January if it is Sunday.
• In Scotland, 25 December is a statutory holiday (or 26 December if Christmas Day falls on a Sunday). 26 December is given by Royal Proclamation if it is neither Saturday, Sunday or Monday. 27 and 28 December are given by Royal Proclamation if Christmas Day is Saturday. 28 December only is given if Boxing Day is Saturday.
• Outside Scotland, if Christmas Day is a Sunday there is an additional statutory holiday on 27 December. By Royal Proclamation, if Christmas Day is a Saturday there is a substitute holiday on 28 December. If Boxing Day is a Sunday there is again a statutory holiday on 27 December, and if Boxing Day is a Saturday there is a substitute holiday by Royal Proclamation on 28 December. Effectively what happens is that if a holiday falls at the weekend a substitute day is given in lieu.