THE CHRISTMAS TREE

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  The Christmas tree probably originated from popular early medieval religious plays, "the Paradise Plays," performed in churches and town squares of Europe during the Advent season. 
 The plays told the story of the human race from the creation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Paradise till the Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. On stage during the play was a great tree hung with apples, symbolizing the Garden of Paradise. Soon people began the custom of putting a "paradise tree" laden with gifts and lighted with candles in their homes during the Christmas season to celebrate paradise regained through the coming of Christ.
Representing many things--the original tree of paradise, the life-giving tree of Christ's cross, the tree John the Apostle saw in the Book of Revelations, "a tree of life, which yields twelve crops of fruit, one for each month of the year...for the healing of the nations"--our Christmas tree is rich in Christian symbolism.

THE FEAST OF CHRISTMAS

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It is not easy to pin-point the origins of the Christmas feast, today the more important feast of the Christmas season in most western Christian churches. One can only say for certain that the birth of Jesus Christ was being celebrated in Rome by the year 336 A.D.; afterwards the feast was celebrated in other Christian churches throughout the world.
Why it was celebrated on December 25th is another question. No date for the birth of Jesus can be found in the New Testament, which is concerned more with the question "Who is Jesus?" than the date of his birth. Early Christian speculation about his birth date was influenced by the symbolism of the changing seasons, then popular in religious thought, which paid careful attention to the equinoxes and solstices of the sun. Christian scholars speculated that Jesus was conceived at the spring equinox (March 25th) and therefore was born on December 25th, the date of the winter solstice.
In many of the Christian churches, March 25th is still the Feast of the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she was to be the mother of Jesus.
Possible impluse for the feast of Christmas may have came too from the establishment of the pagan feast of the "Unconquered Sun-God" by the Emperor Aurelian in 274 A.D. to be celebrated on December 25, the day of the winter solstice in Rome and throughout the empire. In response, Christians could celebrate the feast of the "Sun of righteousness" (Malachi 4, 2), Jesus Christ, who called himself " the light of the world." (John 8,12 )

BOXING DAY IN ENGLAND

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In Britain, Boxing Day is usually celebrated on the following day after Christmas Day, which is 26 December.
Like Christmas Day, Boxing Day is a public holiday. This means is it typically a non working day in the whole of Britain.
Tradicionally, 26 December was the day to open the Christmas Box to share the contents to the poor.


WHAT HAPPENS ON BOXING DAY IN ENGLAND?

- Boxing Day hunts: tradicionally Boxing Day is a day for fox hunting.Horse riders dressed in red and white riding gear, accompanied by a number of dogs called foxhounds, chase de fox through the countryside in the hope of tiring it out.
- Family time:It is a day of watching sports and playing board games with the family.
- Shopping: In recent times,some shops have broken from tradition and started opening on Boxing Day to start the New Year sales.Hundreds of people spend Boxing Day morning in queues outside shops, waiting to be the first to dive for the sales racks as the doors opened.

28TH DECEMBER - DAY OF THE INNOCENT SAINTS

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December 28 marks a day of celebration exclusively Spanish called the Day of the Innocents. Although the roots of this day are bloody, in modern times, the customs practiced on this day are very jovial and fun. The anniversary of the murder of many children committed by Herod in Judea, . On this day, people play inocentadas (pranks or practical jokes) on friends and relatives: people make jokes hoping that the victim believes the false thing. When people get caught, the joker says: "Inocente, inocente!" ("Innocent, innocent!"). The newspapers and other media are in on the joke as well, reporting false news for the people to figure out.

NEW YEAR'S EVE IN SPAIN

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In Spain, New Year is observed on the first date of the Georgian calendar. New Year’s Eve, ithe major day of celebrations, is also referred as ‘Nochevieja’. 

New Year’s Eve in Spain is more of a family affair. No one prefers to go out before midnight, till the time all traditions and traditional celebrations are concluded appropriately. Once, they are over, one can see the emerging crowd over the streets, and in the community parties organized in clubs and bars. 

Madrid, the capital and the largest city of Spain, is also credited as the best host of the New Year’s Eve celebrations for the evening. Thousands of people gather in the main square of Puerta del Sol in Madrid, to witness the best of the community celebrations of Spain. At the stroke of midnight, the sight of thousands of people eating grapes in concord with the ring of each bell does make one feel a part of a magical time. The further magical and spectacular show of fireworks filling the skies seemed to be put to action directly from heavens. 

New Year’s Eve is also a time to abide by the traditions and customs associated with the occasion. As far as that goes, people can remain pleasantly engaged in fulfilling traditions only, all through the New Year’s Eve as they are plenty in numbers. 



People usually stay back to their homes, along with their family members till the moment of the arrival of New Year occurs. At the stroke of twelve, there is a tradition of eating twelve grapes. It is a prominent and highly popular tradition, which is followed in many other countries, though with different beliefs and in different ways. In Spain, one has to eat one grape with each ring of the bell, and thus, has to complete one’s share of twelve grapes by the time the clock rings the last bell. Usually, people in Spain listen to the rings of the bell from the live telecast of the clock of Puerta del Sol in Madrid. 

There is another tradition of wearing red underwear on New Year’s Eve, and that too must not be bought by you, but should be gifted or given by someone else. Wearing red colored underwear is believed to confer one with good luck in the coming year.

Cinema club: July, 17 at 7 pm, 'Hipsters'/ "Стиляги"

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RUSSIANLANGUAGE CENTER invitesyou to the 
RUSSIANCINEMACLUBJuly, 17 at 7pm
HIPSTERS/ Cтил�ги(2008,Russia,120 min)

Director Valery TodorovskyStarring Anton Shagin, Oksana Akinshina Stilyagi (СтилÑ�ги) is a 2008 film, named Hipsters for its American release. It is a musical that deals with Soviet youth subculture "hipsters" or literally "obsessed with fashion" of the 1950s.Mels, a member of Komsomol (the youth wing of Soviet Communist Party), helps break up a hipster’s party. He briefly meets and is intrigued by a hipster girl named Polly, who invites him to hang out with her friends on "Broadway." Mels is drawn to Polly and seeks to win her over by becoming part of their world of colorful fashions, dancing, and loud music. He begins to adopt their fashions and even purchases a saxophone off the black market which he learns to play in the illicit jazz style…

• audience favorite at the Toronto International Film Festival,
• audience favorite at the Nashville Film Festival,
• audience favorite at the the Cleveland International Film Festival, winner of the Audience Choice Award at the Anchorage International Film Festival
• Golden Eagle Awards
• Best Film at the Nika Awards

VENUE:the classroom of RLC, 701,7/F, Arion Commercial Centre, No. 2-12 Queen's Road West, SheungWan
Admissionis free,however please write to us (2teacher@rlc.hk)or call us (25988389)to book a seat.

Few words about ... Russian rock and rock'n'roll music

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ChaifA song which has become a 'must-sing' during every kitchen-party with a guitar 
ZemfiraA genius woman who 'opened' a new current in our music - 'female rock'. Fresh strong music, extravagant words, excentric appearance and divine voice - this is all about her

Bi-2His strange voice can irritate, but as once you listen to their song, you will fall in love with some mystery they bring with them
Nochnie snaiperiEmotional female rock music, interesting videos and men-like ladies

Splean 
DDTLegend of Russian rock, authority and harisma of their leader Jury Schevchuk, and more than 20 year of truimph 

New Year cinema club in the RLC

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«Ð’Ñ�е люди братьÑ�. Ð�у хорошо, не вÑ�е. Ð�екоторые Ñ�еÑ�тры. Так или иначе раз в году вÑ�е мы Ñ�тановимÑ�Ñ� удивительно похожими друг на друга…» ©

Soon is coming the holiday greatly loved by many Russians. We will buy and bring home christmas trees, smell the tangerines, prepare special presents for the family and heaps of small funny things for all we can meet these days, then cook lots of stuff including so boring but so dear 'Stolichniy' salad, watch famous films, drink champaign, listen to the president...  Every year is all the same, but we are not tired! more than that - we are looking forward to this sweet new year buzz!

This year in our cinema club we watch a new film but again - about New Year, joy, christmas trees and love!

December, 11, (Tuesday) at 7 pm, CHRISTMAS TREES 2

(Comedy, Russia, 2011, 96 min)

About the film: Please read the attached letter
VENUE: the classroom of RLC, 701, 7/F, Arion Commercial Centre, No. 2-12 Queen's Road West, Sheung Wan
Admission is free, however please write to us (2teacher@rlc.hk) or call us (  2598 8389) to book a seat.  










Some famous quotations: 

• Это ж Ð·Ð°ÐºÐ¾Ð½ подлоÑ�ти. Только Ñ� оÑ�тановки уйдешь, автобуÑ� Ñ�разу и Ð¿Ñ€Ð¸Ñ…одит.
• Под курантами Ñ�орок лет!
• 42% разводов Ñ�вÑ�заны Ñ� пÑ�ихологичеÑ�кой и практичеÑ�кой неподготовленноÑ�тью Ñ�упругов к Ñ�емейной жизни.
• ГоÑ�поди, в таком краÑ�ивом пакете человеку продали иÑ�порченные продукты!Спокойно! ЯкутÑ�каÑ� ветеринарнаÑ� академиÑ� работает!
• Ð�овый год отменÑ�етÑ�Ñ�, Ñ�Ñ�дь.
• — Ð’Ñ‹ знаете, когда Ñ�ердитеÑ�ÑŒ, Ð’Ñ‹ такаÑ� Ñ�екÑ�уальнаÑ�! — Ð� Ð’Ñ‹ находчивый. И деньги тоже найдете.

Cast 
Irina Alfyorova



Sergey Svetlakov
  
Ivan Urgant 



Vera Brezhneva



resourses

'Against the current'

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There is a very interesing project created by a photographer Alla Solovskaya. In Russian it is entitles 'Против течениÑ�' ('Protiv techeniya') which literally means 'Against the current'.  The idea of the project name is Noncomformism. Some people still want to be who they are, who they were born, follow the forefathers style of life no matter how the contemporary world opresses their free will and right to be themselves. (pinterest)

 

 



 


some more photos here 
the photos are taken from the group in www.vk.com

ХЛЕБ ВСЕМУ ГОЛОВА - BREAD IS THE STAFF OF LIFE

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Peoplein different parts of the globe start their day with a breakfastbread. In the past, the rules of composition and bread were a realfamily secret. There are families who still hold their own recipe. Asits role was significant, there are a lot of customs and ritualsconnected with bread.

The Russian word 'KHLEB' – хлеб comes from old-slavic form *xlÄ›bÑŠwhichis a loan word from old-germanic герм.*xlaiÆ€az. Beinga chief food in many cultures, it is considered as a source of lifeand symbol of labourAccordingto the Slavic hospitality traditions, round bread with salt cellar inthe middle of the loaf ('bread-and-salt' tradition) on theembroidered towel is presented to dear guests.
InChristianity bread plays an important role during the Liturgy whencelebrate the Eucharist,a rite derived from the narrative of the LastSupper when Jesus brokebread with his disciples
The Lord'sPrayer,for example, contains the line "Give us this day our dailybread"; here, "bread" is commonly understood to meannecessities in general.
Asfor the types of bread, we should mention The karavai (каравай)is a traditional Ukrainianand Russianbread,most often used at weddings,where it has great symbolic meaning, and has remained part of thewedding tradition in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus.
The bride and groom weregiven the  karavaias a blessing before the wedding ceremony. The  karavaiwas shared by all the wedding guests, and this was considered theculmination of the wedding.

Some  types of bread products

1. lavash 5. lepeshka	2. kalach6.  kolobok	3. plushka7. karavay	4. pechenie
8. vatrushka	9. sukharik	10. bublik	11. bulka





12. pryanik	13. pirozhok	14. krendel	15. kalitka
16. bukhanka \ 'black bread'	17. baton\ 'white bread'	18. khala	19. black 'round' bread

Theprocess of making bread is far from being easy. Besides, it requiresspecial attitude. For example, some people who bake bread told methat you should love it, talk to it while preparing and never startdoing it being angry or irritated – otherwise you won't manage.Still if you are ready to this deed, you may use one of the followingrecipes – to enjoy home-made fresh delicious and healthy bread!
Oneof the basic recipes of bread in oven
You'dneed 30 grams of yeast; 50 grams of sunflower oil; 50 grams ofmargarine; 1 egg; 80 grams of sugar; salt; flour.Toprepare the dough , take 20 grams of yeast, add some salt, sugar, 0.6liters of milk and flour, then the softened margarine and oil. Thedough should not be too thick, so control the amount of the flour,Properly mix it, knead, and leave the dough in a warm place for 12hours.0.7liters of boiled cool milk; Then add the remaining milk, yeast, saltand flour and stir well. On a greased baking sheet lay out the doughfor half an hour or more, to make the dough 'come'. Then make theloaves of dough and bake in the oven until lightly browned 
more recipes herehttp://hlebosol.info/category/gotovim/vypechka-hleba/http://rial-hleb.ru/moy-opit/kak-ispech-hleb-na-zakvaske-legko-i-byistro#ixzz2EN7l4nu4
Some idioms about BREAD
1)as for the kind of bread чёрныйхлеб — brown bread, rye breadбе́лыйхлеб — white breadдома́шнийхлеб — homemade breadчёрÑ�твыйхлеб — stale breadÑ�ве́жийхлеб — fresh-baked / newly-baked breadхлебÑ� ма́Ñ�лом — bread and butterÑ�ажа́тьхлеб (в пе́чку) — put the breadinto the oven
2)colloq.'bread' in the meaning 'living; means of subsistence', dailybreadзараба́тыватьÑ�ебе́ на хлеб — make one's bread, earn (ÉœË�n)one's livingлиши́тького́-л куÑ�ка́ хлеба — deprive smb of a livelihoodотби́тьу кого́-л хлеб — take the bread out of smb's mouth
Someset phrases

• хлебда Ñ�оль! (hlebda sol', 'bread and salt')—1)enjoy your meal! 2) welcome!
• хлебаи зре́лищ! — (give us) bread and circuses!
• хлебнаш наÑ�у́щный дай нам на Ñ�ей день (даждьнам днеÑ�ÑŒ ÑƒÑ�Ñ‚.) Ð±Ð¸Ð±Ð». — give us thisday our daily bread
• его́ Ñ…лебомне корми́ - (то́лько) дай (+ Ð¸Ð½Ñ„.) —there's nothing he likes better than (+ ger)
• да́ромхлеб еÑ�Ñ‚ÑŒ — ≈ not to be worth one's salt
• ито́ хлеб — that's at least something; that's better thannothing
• нехлебом еди́ным жив челове́к Ð±Ð¸Ð±Ð». —man cannot live by bread alone
• (от)пуÑ�ка́тьхлеб по во́дам Ð±Ð¸Ð±Ð». — cast one's breadupon the waters
• перебива́Ñ‚ÑŒÑ�Ñ�Ñ� хлеба на во́ду / кваÑ� — ≈ live from hand tomouth
• поÑ�ади́тьна хлеб и во́ду ÐºÐ¾Ð³Ð¾́-л —put smb on bread and water
• Ñ�́тонаш хлеб — it's our bread and butter

Sourceshttp://kraushka.ru/poslovici.htmlhttp://www.multitran.ru/c/m.exe?a=4&MessNum=133677&l1=1&l2=2wikipedia
main photo from www.vk.com, group 'Воины �вета'

Sources of photos 1. http://produkti-online.ru/engine/glossary/armyanskii_lavash.html, 2. http://www.oao-zhk.ru/bulka.html, 3. calorizator.ru, 4.http://kuharka.com/rassypchatoe-pechene-recept.html, 5. moikompas.ru, 6.skyclipart.ru, 7. chenonceau.ru, 8. calorizator.ru, 9. fitfan.ru, 10.24open.ru, 11. gotovim-doma.ru, 13. moikompas.ru, 14. recepty1.ru, 15.texnologi-omut.ucoz.ru, 17.nnm.ru, 18.http://kuharka.com/xala.html,