1) Вы проводите информационный поиск в ходе выполнения проектной работы. Определите, в каком из текстов A — F содержатся ответы на интересующие Вас вопросы 1 — 7. Один из вопросов останется без ответа.1. Who do we worship on July, 8?
2. What do Russians traditionally cook during Butter Week?
3. What are the two most popular holidays in Russia?
4. Why is the celebration in St. Petersburg called ‘Scarlet Sails’?
5. What do we usually do during the first week of each year?
6. Why do Russian students have parties on January, 25?
7. When do people jump over a bonfire?
A. Of all the public holidays in Russia New Year is the first in popularity. Russian New Year traditions resemble those of the Western Christmas including Christmas Tree, Father Frost and family celebrations. Another popular family winter holiday is Old New Year which is New Year according to the Julian Calendar. It ends the New Year holiday cycle which also includes Christmas.
B. On January, 25 the day of Saint Tatiana is celebrated. On this day in 1755 the Russian Empress Elizabeth signed a decree establishing Moscow State University. So, Saint Tatiana was declared the patron saint of students, and St. Tatiana’s Day has come to be celebrated as Students’ Day. This day usually coincides with the end of examinations when students may go out partying all day long and all night through.
C. One of the Russian folk holidays is Maslenitsa or Butter Week which is celebrated during the eighth week before Easter. During this week people arrange snowball fights, go sledding and take part in some other activities. In Slavic mythology it is a celebration of the coming end of winter. The shape of pancakes, which are made on this day, is the praise to the sun. Pancakes are still the most traditional food of Maslenitsa.
D. The night of Ivan Kupala is celebrated by joyful rituals, songs and bonfires. People believe that the highest jumper over a bonfire is the luckiest. In the past Mothers used to burn the shirts of their sick children in those bonfires to put an end to their diseases. Fern was believed to bloom at midnight. No man could pick up this flower, but if you saw it any wish would come true.
E. The Russian analogue of Valentine’s Day is Peter and Fevronia Day which is celebrated on July, 8. It focuses, however, on family love. Peter and Fevronia are historical figures. Peter was the Murom prince who married a peasant woman after she had cured him of a disease. They were deeply in love with each other. They died on the same day and they were buried together.
F. Scarlet Sails Tradition which began in the late sixties of the 20th century is a famous event of the White Nights Festival. It is associated with a love story told by the Russian writer Alexander Green in the book with the same title. You can see a ship with scarlet sails navigate along St. Petersburgh’s main waterway. Together with fireworks and concerts it symbolizes freedom from “schools and rules” and entering “an adult life”.