решебник.рф ГДЗ по английскому языку 11 Класс класс упражнение - 6 р. Tradition
The Old New Year
People counted time in many different ways until the Romans changed everyone to their system of counting time from the date Rome was founded. After Rome conquered Egypt, Julius Caesar introduced a new calendar based on a Babylonian model. It had 365 days divided into12 months with an extra day every fourth year.
Then, in 527 AD, a Roman abbot, Dionysius Exiguus, brought in the Anno Domini calendar numbering the years from Jesus’ birth. However, every 131 years the calendar would be out by one day, since the distance the earth travelled around the sun grew shorter from 365,2422 to 365,2419 days. Over the centuries this became a problem,as Easter was later and later in the year.
Pope Gregory XIII used the calendar of astronomer Christopher Clavius to make reforms. Clavius used mathematics and astronomy to calculate the new calendar. Most countries accepted the calendar straight away, but Britain only adopted the modern calendar in 1752 and Orthodox Russia was forced to adopt the new changes when the Bolsheviks came to power, in 1918.
In many countries however, including Russia, both the Julian calendar and the Gregorian calendar are used. So, for the Russians, Christmas is on 7th January with Father Frost and other traditions and New Year is on 1st January, but they celebrate a second New Year on 13th January. The first one is the New New Year and the second one is the Old New Year.
New Year’s Day on 1st January in Russia is a public holiday and is celebrated with fireworks and elaborate large meals and other festivities. The Old New Year by the Julian calendar is informally observed. For many this is a nostalgic family holiday ending the holiday season.
The Old New Year tradition also features in popular culture and art. Mikhail Roshchin wrote a comedy drama for the stage, in 1973, called The Old New Year, which played in theatres for many years. It was also a TV film released by Mosfilm studios in 1980 which featured famous actors and music by Sergei Nikitin, with lyrics by Boris Pasternak.
- Which celebration do you prefer? Why?
- Would you like to celebrate Easter twice? Why (not)?
Describe how you celebrate the Old New Year and the New Year to your partner.
- The Old New Year is a fascinating tradition that shows how history and culture shape our celebrations. Personally, I find the idea of celebrating New Year twice quite special — it’s like getting a second chance to make wishes and enjoy time with family. While the official New Year on January 1st is more exciting with fireworks and big parties, the Old New Year on January 13th feels cozier and more traditional, perfect for quiet family gatherings.
- As for celebrating Easter twice, I’m not sure it would feel the same. Easter is deeply connected to spring and renewal, so having it at two different times might lose some of its special meaning.
- When I celebrate these holidays, New Year’s Eve (December 31st) is usually the bigger event — we decorate a tree, prepare lots of food, watch the president’s speech, and cheer at midnight with champagne. The Old New Year is more relaxed. We might have a smaller family dinner, recall our New Year’s wishes, and enjoy the last festive atmosphere before the holiday season truly ends.