XXI. Comprehension check. Choose the best alternative according to the text;
1. Orthodox Christians celebrate "Kalyady"
a) from December, 25 to January, 6;
b) from January, 1 to January, 7;
c) from January, 7 to January, 19.
2. People consider that "Kalyady " is
a) a dull holiday and never celebrate it;
b) is a holiday for small children only;
c) a merry holiday and celebrate it with pleasure.
3. During "Kalyady", groups of merry young boys and girls
a) organize rock music concerts in Belarusian villages and towns;
b) go carol-singing in Belarusian villages and towns;
c) make snowmen in Belarusian villages and towns.
4. Each of the carol-singers
a) has a present for passers-by;
b) suggests his project of this holiday;
c) plays a part according to his personality.
5. Amateur actors
a) are disguised or wear masks;
b) treat hosts and hostesses to delicious thing;
c) cook "Kuttzya" and treat passers-by to it.
6. Amateur musicians
a) play the accordion or beat the tambourine;
b) thank hosts and hostesses for carol-singing;
c) teach passers-by to play the accordion.
7. The host and the hostess usually treat "Ka/yadovschchiki"
a) with suspicion;
b) to tasty things;
c) as if they were mad.
8. Three ritual suppers are prepared in every Belarusian home
a) during "Kalyady";
b) on the New Year Eve;
c) on Christmas Eve.
9. Our ancestors were convinced that "Kuttzya " was sacred food which
a) could protect people from the evil eye;
b) was necessary for people to live long;
c) was blessed food.
10. So "Kuttzya" was
a) asymbol of rich life;
b) served in the morning;
c) a symbol of everlasting life.
11. On "Kalyady" Belarusians
a) never celebrate weddings because of the superstitions;
b) like to entertain themselves and celebrate weddings;
c) like to stay at home and cook "Kuttzya" every evening.
12. The pagan holiday of "Kalyady " coincided later with
a) Christmas;
b) Epiphany;
c) New Year.
13. The main purpose of "Kalyady" is
a) to organize the processions of "Kalyadovschchiki";
b) to do away with bad things and to start a new period of life cheerfully;
c) to demonstrate national Belarusian traditions to people all over the world.
A midsummer dream: Kupalle
As it is known, the sun in its annual cycle passes through two very important points — winter solstice (which is connected with the holiday of Kalyady) and summer solstice (which is connected with another traditional holiday). People used to celebrate the Midsummer Day holiday on June, 25. But nowadays, since most Belarusians belong to the Orthodox Church, the holiday is celebrated on the night of July, 7 in accordance with the Orthodox calendar and is called "Kupalle." We must admit that it is one of the most mysterious holidays in Belarus.
There are a lot of legends and customs connected with this magic holiday. According to one of them there is a constant struggle between good and evil (or symbolically, between dark and light) in our "soul. And on the day when the sun achieves its highest point (as if reaching its heavenly throne to rale the world of light), the dark forces become very active, especially at night. People try to help the forces of light and themselves to defeat the evil witches and wizards. They light bonfires, dance and sing songs around them.
According to another legend God Yarila marries the Earth on this day. That's why a lot of customs and traditions are associated with love. Girls gather flowers and weave coronets which they wear at the holiday and then, at dawn, they throw their coronets into the river and let them float downstream. The boy who fishes the coronet out of the water will be that girl's intended. It is the best time to gather' herbs for medicine and love potions. At night, young and old light bonfires not - far from their village or town and perform traditional dances, sing folk songs and jump over the fire. Jumping over the fire when it is burning low, as well as bathing (usually naked) in a river or lake are supposed to be the acts of purification. One of the culminating moments of the event is the search for a magic fern-flower in the ; forest. As the old legend says this flower blossoms only once a year, on "Kupalle", and the one who is lucky to find it will master the language of grass, trees, birds and animals and be happy for the rest of his life. No wonder that a lot of young boys and girls spend hours in the search for the fern-flower in blossom, which is also a symbol of love.
Dozens of splendid folk songs were composed to celebrate this jolly holiday but unfortunately a lot of them have been forgotten by now. The holiday has been widely featured in the Belarusian literature and works of art.
It lives in the Belarusian soil as if it were a living reminder of our past and our hope for a better future.
It's great that in the endeavour to reassert their national identity young people are eager to revive the national customs and traditions.
Fill in each gap with the right word:
herbs, search, to defeat, fern, medicine, weave, blossoms, mysterious.
Kupalle is one of the … holidays in Belarus.
2. People want … the forces of evil.
3. It is the best time to gather … for … .
4. Girls … coronets.
5. On Kupalle people … for a magic … flower.
6. As the old legend says this flower … only once a year, on Kupalle.
Complete the sentences using the text:
As it is known __________________.
2. According to one of the legends __________________.
3. The old legend says __________________.
4. We must admit that __________________.
5. It‘s great that __________________.
Imagine that:
· You want to go to celebrate Kupalle but your mother doesn‘t allow you because it is celebrated late at night and she knows nothing about it. Try to persuade her to let you go. Role-play a dialogue with your partner;
· You and your friend are looking for a fern-flower in the forest. Role-play a dialogue with your partner;
· Your American friend has come to visit you at the beginning of July. You want to take part in the celebration of Kupalle. Tell him about this holiday and invite your friend to take part in it.
