Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.
Preparation
Reading text
Add your comment below:
So cool to read about everyone's home tradition they miss the most! I'm from England but I've been living in the States for five years and the thing I miss the most is Bonfire Night on November 5th.
The best thing about Bonfire Night is the fireworks, oh, and the bonfires! … and the history behind it. Basically, Guy Fawkes and his friends tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill King James I. They nearly did it too – they hired a room under the House of Parliament and filled it with explosives. But someone told the royal palace. The authorities found Guy Fawkes in the room guarding the explosives, and he was sentenced to torture and death.
So it's a tradition that celebrates the fact that the king survived. It also means people don't forget what happens if you plot against your country. There's a kind of poem about it that starts 'Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot.' That's why we build a 'guy' – a life-size model of Guy Fawkes – and burn it on the bonfire. Pretty dark and horrible when you think about it!
Tips
- It's nice to start by saying something that shows you have read other people's posts.
- In a class forum you can be quite informal.
- In informal writing you can sometimes miss out the beginning of a phrase:
So cool to read about everyone's home tradition ... - Remember, in a forum you are part of a long conversation with a lot of other people so they might ask you questions.
Discussion
Download
Language level
It's really inspiring to read about traditions from different countries and cultures.
I'm from Turkey and as you know this country builded on the lands of Anatolia and Mesopotamia. It's mean many country, culture lived on this lands even first civilizations was here. So, it's mean we have a lot of traditions.
But I am not gonna mention one of the old traditions. It's gonna be one of the new traditions.
The great leader, soldier, commander and teacher Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the father of the Republic of Turkey died at 09.05 am on 10th of November, 1938.
From the day he died till today and in future every November 10 at exactly at 09:05 am sirens play all around the country and everyone stands up and thinks his memory in silence. Maybe some of you do not know about him, do not worry, to understand his idea about life and everything you can read this;
"Peace at Home, Peace in the World" - Mustafa Kemal Ataturk
- Log in or register to post comments
It's exciting to know about each tradition we have. I'm from Japan and the thing I like the most is hanami in this season!
Hanami, of flower-viewing celebrations, is said to have begun in the 9th century. According to folklore, the mountain deity traveled to rice paddies on floating cherry blossom petals and nurtured the crop. Thus, a long bloom becomes synonymous with a fruitful harvest.
Because of this relationship to rice that sustains human life the tree has been regarded as sacred. In addition, this tree is Japan's iconic flower as the beauty and brevity of life.
- Log in or register to post comments
It is interesting to learn about traditions in other countries!
I'd like to tell about a Russian tradition that I find quite strange if not to say horrible but so impressive. It is taking an ice plunge on the Epiphany Day (19 January). Orthodox christians plunge in icy water in holes that are cut through ice on rivers and ponds regardless of the weather. You know that the weather in Russia in the middle of January is very cold. In some regions the temperature can drop to - 40 degrees. But believers make it in celebration of the baprism of Jeasus Christ who plunged in the Jordan River.
- Log in or register to post comments
My country has a lot of traditions. Some of them connects with celebration religion great datas, some - post-sovet union rudiment holidays. I don't like any of them, expect first days of may. In Ukraine these days are celebrated as Labor Day. It's a holiday and day-off for all employees. The weather usually is warm and pleasant. Citizens prefer to get a camping and open-air walking in this time. More off them have a good mood because of excellent occasion don't go to the work and have a fun.
- Log in or register to post comments
Hallo! I think that the most people in post-soviet countries like the First May just because it is day off and the weather is good. But how many days-off have people in Ukraine in May?
In Russia there are a lot of additional days and people often leave cities for a long trip.
- Log in or register to post comments
So glad to learn more about other country´s culture. I´m from Colombia, and here we have a lot of festival and carnivals around the country. So I do not have a favorite one. Colombian people are dancers for excellence, so we try to enjoy whatever sort of festival. You´re welcome to visit our country and see everything that we have to show you.
- Log in or register to post comments
I've been read all the comments and have learnt many interesting traditions all around the world. In my home country, Russia, we celebrate many different holidays. Personally, I like the most New Year.
- Log in or register to post comments
I finde it realy interesting to read about traditions in other countrys. I think I can't miss a traditiion of my country because I don't live uproad....But I move away from my hometown, so I still miss my family and some family traditions. For example my hole family (4 children+mum+grandma) always have lunch together on sunday, often the same dish. Now I live 450km away...
- Log in or register to post comments
Without doubt, reading about the variety of traditions and cultures from all over the world is an interesting thing, which can broaden our horizons and make ourselves connect with the others. When it comes to the tradition i like best from my country, Taiwan, I can't help but introduce the Midterm Festival of July on the Lunar calendar. People in Taiwan believe the existence of ghosts. And, these ghosts, we call them "good brothers" which are homeless or without descendants' sacrifices would be gathered in the hail. When the Midterm of July falls, these ghosts are released from the hail to the world for a period of one month. In order to show our respects and for fear of the happening inauspicious they cause, we prepare a lot of foods, cookies, beverages and paper money for the sacrifices. We pray for not having bad things and hope them fed up by these rich foods and pleased. The most delightful thing is that these foods will be our dessert or meal after the sacrifice. Everyone can't wait for the end of the activity.
- Log in or register to post comments
Its really great to know about other country's tradition. It not only helps in enhancing our general knowledge but helps in connecting globally as well.I am from india and here there is a lot of diversity in terms of different religion, culture ,languages and many more.I will share a tradition followed every year in india by masses of people.There is a festival called Dussehra which is celebrated by burning a plastic model of evil named Ravana every year.It was known that Ravana was the demon king of Lanka and had led several atrocities in his kingdom.The festival goes on for 10 days and on the 10th day also called as "Dashmi" the Ravana model is burned. This festival also preaches the lesson of defeat of devil over goodness.I feel this tradition really brings peace,happiness and love across the country and really enjoy to be a part of it.
- Log in or register to post comments
