PON 2012-2013

ENGLISHFOR SUCCESS

ISTITUTO COMPRENSIVO STATALE

“PERNA-DANTE”AVELLINOBritish Culture

and Traditions

The United

KingdomThe United Kingdom is made up of:

England - The capital is London.Scotland - The capital is Edinburgh .Wales - The capital is Cardiff.Northern Ireland - The capital is Belfast.

England, Scotland and Wales together form Great Br i ta in .

The British flagThe emblemes (flags) that appear on the Union Flag are the crosses of three patron saints:

ST. GEORGE - PATRON SAINT OF ENGLAND

Saint Patrick - Patron Saint of Ireland

St Andrew - Patron Saint of Scotland

Flag of Wales

The Welsh dragon does not appear on the flag because when the first Union Flag was created in 1606, Wales was already united with England from the 13th century. This meant that Wales was a Principality instead of a Kingdom and as such could not be included.

Queen Elizabeth II

British Royal Family Tree

LONDON MONUMEN

TS

Buckingham Palace is one of the most popular landmarks in London. It is the London home of the British Royal family. The 600 room palace is surrounded by a 40 acre garden.

TOWER BRIDGE: is one of the most recognizable bridges in the world. Its Victorian Gothic style originates from a law that forced the designers to create a structure that would be in harmony with the nearby Tower of London.

The London Eye has now become one of the typical sights of London. It was opened in March 2000 and it offers a panoramic view of London. The London Eye is 135m high and weighs 2100 tonnes. 

Big Ben is one of London 's best-known landmarks, and looks most spectacular at night when the clock faces are illuminated. The name Big Ben actually refers not to the clock-tower itself, but to the thirteen ton bell hung within. The bell was named after the first commissioner of works, Sir Benjamin Hall. 

BIG BEN

It was a Royal Palace, fortress, prison, place of execution, arsenal, Royal Zoo and jewel house. Today the Tower of London houses the Crown Jewels and is open to the public as a museum.

Tower of London

The Abbey has been the coronation church since 1066 and is the final resting place of seventeen monarchs. The present church, begun by Henry III in 1245, is one of the most important Gothic buildings in the country

Westminster Abbey

Saint Paul's CathedralThe Cathedral is dedicated to St Paul has stood on this site since 604 A.D., and it is a busy, working church where millions come to reflect and find peace. Many important events have taken place here over the years, includingThe funerals of Lord Nelson and Sir Winston Churchill.The Commemoration for September 11, 2001.The 80th and 100th birthdays of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.The wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, to Lady Diana Spencer.

Trafalgar Square is a square in central London. With its position in the heart of London, it is a tourist attraction, and one of the most famous squares in the United Kingdom and the world. At its centre is Nelson's Column , which is guarded by four lion statues at its base. The name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), a British naval victory of the Napoleonic Wars .

Trafalgar Square

Piccadilly Circus is a famous road junction and public space of London's West End in the City of Westminster, built in 1819. The Circus is particularly known for its video display and neon signs mounted on the corner building on the northern side. It is the centre of London life and a point of attraction for young visitors. All around there are a lot of shops, cinemas and theatres.

Piccadilly Circus

The Symbols

of England

The Queen's GuardsThe Queen's Guards are responsible for guarding Buckingham Palace and St. James's Palace in London. They usually consist of Foot Guards (guards on foot) wearing full-dress uniform of red tunics and bearskins (hats).

Life guards

The Red rose

The red rose is widely recognised as the national flower of England.

Red Double Decker buses

Postboxes

Postboxes can be found from every Monarch since Queen Victoria: Edward VII, George V, George VI and Elizabeth II.

Telephone box

Black taxi

Tea-timeIt’s five

o’clock…

Do you want a cup of tea?

FESTIVITIESand

TRADITIONS

TWELFTH NIGHTTwelfth Night is a celebration of the New Year, mixing ancient Midwinter seasonal customs with contemporary festivity

Easter Day, the most holy of Christian sacred days. The day commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from his death by crucifixion. Observances include worship services beginning at sunrise, special music, feasting, and parades.

EASTER DAY

May Day celebrations include Morris dancing, crowning a May Queen and dancing around a Maypole.

The official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II is marked each year by a military parade and march-past, known as Trooping the Colour (Carrying of the Flag). The official name is “the Queen’s Birthday Parade”.

Trooping the Colour 

The census of swans takes place annually during July on the River Thames in a ceremony known as Swan Upping. Swans are counted and marked on a 70 mile, five day journey up the River Thames

Harvest festivals are traditionally held on or near the Sunday of the Harvest Moon.

HalloweenHalloween, the night of ghosts, witches and Jack o’ lanterns pumpkins.

GUY FAWKES NIGHT

In November 1605, the infamous Gunpowder Plot took place in which some Catholics plotted to blow up the English Parliament and King James l, on the day set for the king to open Parliament. The men were angry because the king had treated them badly and they didn't like it. The story is remembered each 5th November when 'Guys' are burned in a celebration known as "Bonfire Night".

Christmas in Trafalgar Square