V. Retell your report

III. Speak about your favorite Russian Holiday and explain why you like it

II. Name other Russian holidays that you know how the Russians celebrate it

Holidays in Russia

There are many holidays and traditions in Russia. One of them is Maslenitsa. This holiday lasts for a week. Russian people celebrate it at the end of February or at the beginning of March. They say "goodbye" to winter on this holiday. During "Maslenitsa week" Russians always cook pancakes. It is a tradition to cook pancakes and eat them with fish, sour cream, caviar, honey, sugar, butter. During this holiday people celebrate the beginning of spring. They prepare fires and burn straw scarecrows of winter.

The other holiday is the 8th of March. It is a happy and nice holiday. It is a good tradition in our country to give presents and flowers to women on this day. Each family celebrates this spring holiday. In the morning men go to the shops or markets to buy some flowers. They try to clean flats and help women to cook a holiday dinner. Sons and daughters help their mothers too: they make a cake, lay the table and wash dishes after holiday dinner.

Some families celebrate the 8th of March going to the theatres and concerts. They buy tickets beforehand. Others prefer to invite guests and stay at home. There is almost the same holiday in England. It is called Mothers' Day and celebrated also in spring. Sons and daughters come and give gifts to their mothers on this day. If it is not possible to see a mother, one can send presents and cards to her. Flowers and cakes are the traditional gifts for all mothers in England.

The 1st of May is a spring holiday in our country. Usually it is warm during this day. The weather is fine. The trees are green. You can see some flowers in the parks and gardens.

Christmas falls on the 7th of January by the Orthodox Church. This holiday means the beginning of the New Year and the new life. Russian people celebrate this holiday with the evergreen tree - Christmas tree.

New Year's Day is the most popular holiday in Russia. Peter the First changed the Russian calendar in 1699. He made the 31st of December, 1699 the last day of the year. The first of January 1700 became New Year's Day. The New Year's Day is always connected with our new hopes and dreams.
It is a pleasant moment to get presents on the New Year's Eve.

IV. Prepare written reports on the following topics:

· Russian economy;

· Russian political life;

· Russian history;

· Russian culture;

· Russian literature;

· Russian painters;

· Russian meals;

· Russian sport