British people are thought to be reserved in everything they do: in manners, speech and clothes. British conservatism and the attachment to the traditions are widely criticized. Englishmen are well-known for the politeness, discipline and typical British sense of humour. British people have specific nature and temper. There are a lot of differences between individuals and the whole nation. There are many traditions and customs, but some of them have been changed with the lifestyle. Let's take a look which festivals are celebrated in Great Britain nowadays.
To the most popular events belongs St. Valentine's day celebrated on l4th February. It is the most famous day for all lovers. At first, that day was commemorated to the famous Roman priest who used to help the persecuted Christians and then he was martyred. On that day teenagers and young people exchange the Valentine's cards with people of opposite sex. They usually do it anonymously and they write some poets on them, for example "Roses are red, violets are blue, you will be mine close! I love you" or some funny ones for example "My love for you is as big as elephant and on the next side is drown fat girl with text below but then, so are you".
In March there are two important events. First of them is St. David's Day, who is the patron of Wales and then St. Patrick's Day, who is the patron of Ireland. On that day people often dress in shamrocks. There is also St. George's Day, who is the patron of England and it is celebrated in April. Also in April there is the well-known tradition called All Fool's Day. That day everyone makes some funny jokes and tricks. If someone is deceived, he or she is called "Fool". There is also another important tradition celebrated usually in April. In spring the Christians celebrate Easter. On Good Friday they commemorate Jesus Christ's crucifixion and on Easter Sunday they commemorate His Resurrection. British people are used to exchange colourful and painted eggs, which are symbols of rebirth and the new life. Then May Day takes place and there are a lot of public meetings and processions organised by the left-wing parties. There is also the traditional festival set up in spring. People are used to go out and look for flowers and green branches in a wood before the dawn. This tradition is cultivated in a very few places. In some regions there is the election of the May Queen organised. This festival is also connected with the Morris dancing, which is performed during religious holidays and weddings. The Morris dancing has its roots in Africa and Asia. It started be popular in the l7th century. Elizabethan pageant showed by Morris dancers told about the Robin Hood legend. There was also the Lord of Misrule, who was chosen specially for this occasion. Other members of the performance were pipers, drummers, dragons and hobby-horses. The team consisted of Morris dancers usually was dressed with Squire or Bagman. The rest of team were wearing the white shirts and black trousers. Their short round hats or taller toppers were decorated with some flowers, coloured ribbons and other elements. The colour and decoration had a special meaning. Red poppies mean the health, blue cornflowers are signs of blessedness or even holiness, whereas the white handkerchiefs symbolised the magical energy falling on the Earth and crops. The dancers usually show the old ritualistic ceremonies connected with fertility and the awaking of the plants after winter.
Mother's day is celebrated in May, which honours every mother. Fortunately, fathers aren't forgotten - they celebrate their festival on the 3rd Sunday of June. There is also the Queen's Official Birthday in the middle of June. The great variety of ceremonies is associated with her birthday, for example the Trooping the Colour or the Horse Guards Parade. During these events the Queen with her husband, who is Prince of Wales spend on the horseback. Trooping the Colour is a kind of military pageant which comes from the time when the Regular British Army existed. In the past the soldiers' quarters were in their private houses, instead of barracks. Each day soldiers on the guard gathered around the regimental symbol or the flag. Then they paraded with the flag and this display turned into tradition. Today it is called Trooping of the Colour. When the ceremony is over, there is the amazing pageant, which parades from Horse Guards' Parade to Buckingham Palace. The parade is admired by thousands of tourists, who like this British pageantry.
The other important holiday is Halloween. In the past it was considered as the last day of the year and the day when winter begins. That day the witches and ghosts used to say their mystic rites. Children love making the jack-o-lantern. It is a kind of tradition. They cut out eyes and mouth from the pumpkin and put the small candle inside. Moreover, they dress up with the Halloween costumes and put the scary masks on their faces. They are used to walk form door to door with baskets or colourful bags and ask the neighbours for some sweets. They tell the neighbours: "Trick or treat!" which stands for "Give us a treat or we will play a trick on you!". So people give them some sweets, fruit or coins.
Remembrance Day commemorates the end of the war. In 1918 the World War I finished and today Englishmen celebrate it. Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated with fireworks on 5th November. It commemorates the day when the House of Parliament was prevented from being burnt down. It happened thanks to the plot about the fire, which was discovered in the proper time. The Christmas holidays are well-known all over the world, but it is celebrated in the different way in England. We are used to that the most important day of Christmas is the Christmas Eve, when the whole family gathers during dinner. In England, on the other hand, the Christmas Day is the most solemn day and the British have an early dinner in the afternoon. The meal consists of roast turkey and pudding. Sometimes they eat fried carp, salads and different cakes. Moreover, children in Britain hang up their stockings on Christmas Eve. The next day they are given some presents. On New Year's Eve there is a famous Scottish festival called Hogmanay. When the guests arrive, the dinner begins. It starts with Higgins - a traditional Scottish food, which is prepared of mince sheep meat boiled in a sheep's stomach with cereals. In the evening the inhabitants gather in the city centre and sing and dance Scottish dances. When the midnight passes, there is a fine cheer and people cross their arms and sing "Auld Lang Syne" which is traditional Scottish song. They also believe that the dark-haired man who the first visits us after midnight and brings a coin, bread and some coal brings us lucky in the next year.
Every single country has its own traditions, which the citizens are proud of. These described are the typical British ones.
