Задание

Read the texts and match each text with its heading.

New Year

Christmas

Maslenitsa

Defender of the Fatherland Day

International Women’s Day

Day of Laughter

Orthodox Easter

Spring and Labour Day

Victory Day

Day of Knowledge

People decorate a fir tree, exchange gifts, and gather around the table for a festive dinner. There is even Father Frost who comes at night to leave children presents.

It is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, a Christmas tree, decorations, a special Christmas family meal.

Traditionally it includes horse racing, fistfights and pancakes or blini. The tradition of eating pancakes served with honey, caviar, fresh cream and butter is still prevalent.

Initially it was known as Red Army Day – the day of the Red Army’s creation. Today people congratulate all men as they are past, present or future Defenders of the Fatherland.

People congratulate mothers, daughters, nieces, sisters, girl friends. Men should present women with kind words of affection, small gifts and flowers. Men duties for the day include cooking, cleaning, washing, child rearing.

It is a day when people try to get the best of one another through trickery and jokes. Everyone participates including newspapers and TV broadcasts.

There is a midnight service on Sunday. After the service, baskets are blessed. This signifies the end of the Great Lent. Symbolic foods include the painted egg (pysanka), bread (kulich), and a traditional dish made of tvorog, suitably named “Paskha”.

It is called May Day. The day was originally marked with parades and demonstrations by the “Solidarity of Workers”. Today it marks the beginning of a new spring. It's simply a day to rest and relax with friends and family.

It is a somber day to commemorate the immense sacrifice of Soviet men and women during the Great Patriotic War (1941 to 1945). Over 20 million Soviet soldiers and civilians lost their lives in the war. Every city has an “Eternal Flame” to pay tribute to those who perished. Citizens gather to lay flowers in remembrance. Military processions and salutes are also common, particularly in larger cities.

It marks the beginning of the school year. Children dress in their best new school outfits and carry flowers to present to their teachers.