Лекционный материал на тему: "День Святого Патрика"
план-конспект урока по английскому языку (8 класс) по теме

St. Patrick′s Day

March 17 is St. Patrick′s Day. It is a day to remember the Irish people in the United States and Ireland. Ireland is a country with a lot of green grass and shamrocks. Shamrocks are small plants with three leaves. There is a lot of green in Ireland, so green is Ireland′s national color.

People often wear green clothes on St. Patrick′s Day. There are parades like the one in the picture. Many people go to parties. They sing, dance, and eat Irish food. Some people even drink green beer. In Chicago, the Chicago River is dyed green!

St. Patrick was a priest in Ireland many years ago. He taught the Irish people about God. There are many stories about St. Patrick. One story says there are no snakes in Ireland because St. Patrick sent them away. St. Patrick died on March 17 in the year 461.

Beginning in 1845, many Irish people moved to the United States. They came because there wasn′t enough food to eat in Ireland. St. Patrick′s Day celebrations helped the Irish remember their country, their music, and their families.

Today′s immigrants to the United States also bring celebrations with them. Chinese people celebrate Chinese New Year in January or February. On Chinese New Year, some Chinese people dress like animals and march in parades. They have parties and eat Chinese food.

Mexican people remember May 5, 1862, on Cinco de mayo. There was a famous battle on that day. Every year on May 5, Mexicans in Mexico and the United States celebrate with parades and parties.

Many Americans say, “Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick′s Day.” In the future, they may say, “Everyone is Chinese on Chinese New Year” and “Everyone is Mexican on Cinco de mayo.”

Traditions and Customs

On March 17th, many people in the United States commemorate St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. New York City, where there are many people of Irish descent, holds the famous St. Patrick′s Day parade. Bands, marchers, celebrities (especially politicians), and bystanders come to participate. More than 150 000 people march in the parade. Almost a million people line the streets to watch. A green stripe is painted down the center of Fifth Avenue, and the lights on top of the Empire State Building are turned green, the color that represents the Irish people.

Millions of real shamrocks are flown from Ireland to the United States. They are used for decorations. Everything turns green on St. Patrick′s Day. Green and gold pennants and green balloons are sold by the hundreds. Children and adults wear something green, and shops prepare green food: green bread, green pasta, green ice cream, green milkshakes. People eat corned beef and cabbage, and drink Irish coffee. Irish songs can be heard throughout the day on the radio.

Background

In Ireland, St. Patrick′s Day is a religious holiday. St. Patrick′s date of birth is estimated to be around the year 389. He died on March 17th, the day when his memory is honored.

When Patrick was 16 years old, Irish pirates landed near his home in England. They captured him and took him as a slave to Ireland. There he worked and learned the Irish language, traditions, and way of life. Patrick, who had been born and raised in a Christian home, was troubled because the Irish worshiped many gods and spirits. He wanted to convert the Irish people to Christianity.

He was able to escape to France and to study to be a priest. After 14 years of study, in the year 432, the Pope sent him back to Ireland as a bishop.

Patrick traveled all across Ireland and established churches and schools. According to his followers he performed many miracles. A well-known legend says that he drove the snakes out of Ireland. He was greatly loved by the Irish people.

This holiday in the United States has come to represent the Irish culture and the great contributions of its people to the United States.