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(9/11)
What would you
tell your foreign friends about Russian traditions?
It is a
well-known fact that most Russians are patriots of their
country: they are usually homesick when they leave Russia for a
long period of time, and are usually keen supporters of
traditions. Russian people keep up a lot of folk traditions.
Many of them are of religious origin and were, actually, banned
after the Russian Revolution of 1917 but survived and are now
restored. These are all kinds of traditions based on
Christianity and the Russian Orthodox Church, like those of
Christmas, Lent and Easter. A well-known Easter tradition is,
for example, painting eggs bright colours to symbolize
springtime and life, and playing an Easter egg game in which
each person takes a hard-boiled, coloured egg. Players make
pairs and then tap the ends of their eggs together. First the
wide ends of the two eggs are tapped together, then the narrow
ends, and finally one wide and one narrow end. When a player's
egg breaks, he or she leaves the game, which continues until one
player is left with an unbroken egg. The one who wins is
considered to be likely to have good luck in everything.
The second group
is formed by folk traditions which date back to the times before
Christianity, like fortune-telling, some wedding or funeral
rituals. The third group is formed by traditions pertaining to
official celebrations, like those of the Victory Day when World
War II veterans meet in Moscow in front of the Bolshoi Theatre
building, and people of all ages come to congratulate them and
give them flowers.
My favourite
Russian folk tradition is Maslenitsa, or Pancake Week, which is
a combination of Christian and pagan traditions and is the last
week before the Lent. There are several reasons why I like it so
much. Firstly, I am really fond of Russian folk traditions, and
Maslenitsa week is full of traditional Russian festival
activities: masquerades, snowball fights, sledding and sleigh
rides. Secondly, it is a chance to taste traditional Russian
food which we don't very often cook nowadays, as we got used to
buy ready-made food in supermarkets. The essential element of
Maslenitsa celebration is Russian pancakes, made of rich foods
like butter, eggs and milk. They are usually eaten with sour
cream or caviar. For many Christians, Maslenitsa is the last
chance to meet with the worldly delights before the fasting of
Lent. (For Russian official holidays, see 'Public Holidays in
Russia'.)
Translate the
following sentences into English.
1. Русские обычно скучают по дому, когда уезжают из
страны надолго, и с энтузиазмом поддерживают традиции.
2. Многие традиции, которые соблюдают русские, имеют религиозное
происхождение, были запрещены после революции 1917 года, но
сохранились и сейчас восстановлены. Это такие традиции, как
Рождество, Великий пост или Пасха.
3. Широко известная пасхальная традиция — раскрашивать яйца в
яркие цвета, ударять концом своего яйца о концы других яиц, до
тех пор пока не останется одно целое яйцо.
4. Некоторые традиции, такие как гадание, свадебные или
похоронные ритуалы, восходят к временам, предшествующим принятию
христианства.
5. Некоторые традиции связаны с официальными праздниками, такими
как День Победы.
6. Масленица, или Блинная неделя— это комбинация христианских и
языческих традиций, она полна традиционных русских праздничных
традиций: маскарады, игра в снежки, катания на санях и санках.
7. Одна из традиций Масленицы —есть блины, что является
последним шансом вкусить мирских радостей перед Великим постом.
1. Russians
normally feel homesick when they leave their country for a long
time and are keen supporters of traditions.
2. Many traditions kept up by Russians are of religious origin
and were banned after the Revolution of 1917, but survived and
are now restored, such as Christmas. Lent and Easter traditions.
3. A well-known Easter tradition is painting hard-boiled eggs
bright colours, tapping the ends of the eggs together until one
egg is left.
4. Some traditions, like fortune-telling, wedding or funeral
rituals date back to the times before Christianity.
5. Some traditions are connected with official celebrations,
like those of the Victory Day.
6. Maslenitsa, or Pancake Week, is a combination of Christian
and pagan traditions and is full of traditional Russian festival
activities: masquerades, snowball fights, sledding and sleigh
rides.
7. One of Maslenitsa traditions is eating pancakes, which is the
last chance to meet with the worldly delights before the fasting
of Lent.
Из пособия "ЕГЭ. Английский язык.
Устные темы" Занина Е.Л. (2010, 272с.) - Part
one. English examination topics. Forms 9/11.
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