NEW YEAR'S EVE IN SPAIN

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.

NEW YEAR'S EVE IN LONDON

2016 was amazing.
2017 is going to be even better!

New Year’s Eve in London is all about fun and celebration and we all want to have a great time.

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH

A traditional feature of Christmas afternoom is the Queen's Christmas Message. At three o'clock in the afternoon the Queen's gives her Christmas Message to the nation which is broadcast on radio and television. In 2007, the Queen launched her own channel on video-sharing website YouTube, which feature the message.

In this year's Christmas Broadcast, commonly known as 'The Queen's Speech', Her Majesty to refer to 'moments of darkness' in Christmas speech

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Jingle bells, jingle bells... Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? Watch this video to see how a shop is getting ready for Christmas.

 

HISTORY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE

INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S RIGHT DAY - 20th NOVEMBER

International Children’s day

November 20th : Children’s rights Day

The Children’s day (or Children’s rights day) is celebrated every 20th of November ; This day marks the anniversary of the International convention for Children’s rights of November 20th 1989.

History of Children’s Day

In 1954, the UN recommended that « every country should introduce a Children’s Day which will be devoted to fraternity and to comprehension among children of the world, and which will stand out by activities encouraging Children’s well-being throughout the world. » (1)

If the UN « suggests to governments of each states to observe children’s Day on the day and in the way that best suit them », events of 1959 and 1989 designate inevitably the 20th November.

In fact, on November 20th 1959, the UN adopted the Children’s rights declaration, and on November 20th 1989, almost all of the states taking part in the UN ratified the International Convention for Children’s rights.To this day, only the United-States and Somalia have not ratified this convention.

COLUMBUS DAY - 12th OCTOBER 2015

Columbus Day 2016 falls on the second Monday in October, this year 10th October — as it does each year. This day is remembered in the U.S.A to pay tribute to the 1st journey to America in 1492 by Christopher Columbus.

In the past schools have taught that Christopher Columbus found America. Looking at this from better hindsight we see that all of the areas he found had people living in them already, meaning he didn't discover it for the first time. It can still be claimed as a discovery but solely from a Europe standpoint — not a native one.

Columbus Day 2011 can find its origin from the initial 'celebration' in 1792. At the very least this is the earliest recorded remembrance of Christopher Columbus's grand unveiling of America. It was 300 years after the 'New World' was found that the Colombian Order prepared a service in New York City to pay credit to Christopher Columbus marking his 'first landing'. In New York 1866 on October 12th the Italian residents planned the initial observance of the finding of 'America' as a whole. Then, in San Francisco 1869 Italian residents also honored October twelfth. In 1892 President Benjamin Harrison, 400 years after Columbus' first journey, gave a public statement in memory of the 'New World' being discovered. It was 1905 when the initial State Colorado respected an official 'Columbus Day'. From 1920 Columbus Day was observed each year. President Franklin Roosevelt in 1937 declared all October twelfths as 'Columbus Day' but it was proclaimed by Congress as a national holiday on each 2nd Monday in 1971. That's why we have Columbus Day 2015!

REMEMBERING 9/11 - 15th ANNIVERSARY

 Each year, one of the nost moving commemorations of September 11 is the Tribute in Light. 88 searchlights tha stretch four miles into the sky to create a ghostly monment to the Twin Towers

In honor of the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, numerous exhibits, concerts, films, readings, talks, performances, and memorial servics will reflect on the desvatation of that day and its aftermath, each on a poignant reminder of why those towers of light (which return once again at dusk on September 11) still have the power to choke us up. 

OUR LADY OF VICTORY - 8th SEPTEMBER

Our Lady’s birthday is generally celebrated by the Catholic church on the 8th September and so this date has been adopted as an opportunity to honour the different images of Mary. In Malaga, people celebrate the feast day of the patron of the city, ‘Our Lady of Victory’.

As her name would suggest, the ‘Virgen de la Victoria’ is venerated due the the role she is believed to have played in various military victories.

The first was in 1571 at the battle of Lepanto, near Greece, when the Holy League (made up of Spain and the Papacy among others) fought the Ottoman Empire. Christians prayed the Rosary in St. Peter’s Square in Rome in the hope that Mary would intercede for them, winning them God’s help in keeping the Muslim Empire out of Western Europe. A miraculous victory was won.

In Malaga itself, a statue of Our Lady of Victory is thought to have been kept in Ferdinand’s chapel in the military encampment during the siege when Malaga was re-conquered by the Catholic King and Queen. In 1867, Pope Pius IX appointed this image of Mary as patron of the city.

Thus the 8th September is a local holiday. On the last Sunday in August, in preparation for the feast day, the image of the ‘Virgen de la Victoria’ is taken to Malaga cathedral where a novena (a particularly powerful way of praying the Rosary) is said in devotion to Our Lady. On Sunday there will be a procession much like those one sees during Semana Santa, during which the image is carried to the Santuario de la Victoria in the Plaza Santuario, near the Plaza de la Merced.

FIRST MAN ON THE MOON

On 21 July 1969, American Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon. Eagle landing craft. As he put his left foot down first Armstrong declared: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." He described the surface as being like powdered charcoal and the landing craft left a crater about a foot deep.

Take off

On 16 July 1969, the Saturn V rocket launched Apollo 11 into the sky from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

The Crew

Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Michael Collins

The Lunar Module

To land on the moon, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin used a lunar module nicknamed Eagle. When they landed Neil sent the following message back to Earth

"Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."

VIRGIN OF CARMEN 16th JULY

The Virgin of Carmen is the patron saint and protector of fishermen and sailors. Religious Virgins are hugely popular in Andalucia (Spain); they are normally handcrafted from wood and porcelain and spend 99.9 per cent of the year at the local church. Most are dusted down and placed on flower-decked thrones at Easter-time when they are lovingly and solemnly borne through the streets. The Virgen del Carmen, however, has her own special day.

On the evening of July 16, in the fishing villages and towns up and down the Coast, her much-loved effigy is not only paraded through the streets but also taken for a spin round the bay on a flower-adorned boat, accompanied by a flotilla of "jábegas" (fishing boats). Brass bands play, crowds cheer, rockets shoot off and fireworks fill the late dusk sky.

Celebrations vary slightly from town to town. In Málaga, for example, the procession takes place not only on July 16, but on the following Sunday. A recent Malagueñan tradition, started in 1981, shows the Virgen del Carmen embracing all lovers of the sea - including scuba divers. That year, the City scuba diving club placed an image of their patron at the bottom of the sea and since then divers have paid their underwater homage annually.

The festival is especially important in the fishing villages of neighbouring Rincon de la Victoria and La Cala, both of which have the Virgen del Carmen as their town patron.

To understand why the Virgen del Carmen should be held so dear to the inhabitants of towns such as Estepona, Velez Malaga, Torremolinos and Rincon de la Victoria, we need to go back to the Old Testament. Downshifting in his old age, the prophet Elias retreated to a cave in Mount Carmelo near Haife (Israel). Many centuries later, hermits following in Elijah's footsteps asked for the protection of the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmelo - the Virgin of Carmen. Stella Maris, as she was also known, was soon adopted by mariners and fishermen everywhere as their patron.

Although long overtaken by tourism, many Costa towns still retain fishing communities and a strong attachment to "la Reina de los Mares" (the Queen of the Seas). It was once believed - perhaps in the days before water-purifying plants! - that the Virgin cleared up the waters with her presence and that only after July 16 would the sea be fit for swimming in.

                                             

POBRE DE MÍ, THE END-CEREMONY OF SANFERMÍN

At midnight on the 14 th July the fiesta formally closes with the ceremony called the "Pobre de Mí."

This takes place in front of the Town Hall, where the fiesta was opened 8½ days earlier. There are other events also taking place in the city, (such as the Peñas gathering in the main square - the Plaza del Castillo, for their own celebration).

However, in front of the Town Hall a large crowd gathers to sing "Pobre de Mí, Pobre de Mí, que se han acabado las fiestas, de San Fermín." (Poor me, poor me, for the fiesta of San Fermín has come to a close).

This is a very sad occasion because it is the end of the fiesta, (though many are relieved because they cannot take any more), but they still look forward to next year and even sing "Ya falta menos" (there is not long to go).

In fact, the Pobre de mí is the end of a long day of farewells; the farewell of the Giants takes place in the morning. There is also the farewell of the Peñas in the Plaza de Toros in the evening.

BASTILLE DAY - 14th JULY

What is Bastille Day?

Bastille Day is the French national holiday which is celebrated on 14 July each year. It commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which took place on 14 July 1789 and marked the beginning of the French Revolution.

At one time in France, kings and queens ruled. Many people were very angry with the decisions made by the kings and queens.

What was Bastille?

The Bastille was a prison in France that the kings and queens often used to lock up the people that did not agree with their decisions.

Why was the Bastille prison attacked by the French people?

To many people, the prison was a symbol of all the bad things done by the kings and queens, so the storming of the prison was a symbol of liberty (freedom) and the fight against oppression for all French citizens

The French Revolution and the End of the Monarchy

The storming of the Bastille was the beginning of the French Revolution. Like the American Revolution, the French Revolution brought great changes. Kings and queens no longer rule France. The people rule themselves and make their own decisions.

On 21 September 1792 France became a republic.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Buckingham Palace is the Queen's official and main royal London home. It has been the official London residence of Britain's monarchy since 1837. Queen Victoria was the first sovereign to take up residence in Buckingham Palace. She moved in on 13 July 1837, just three weeks after her accession.

AUSTRALIA

On 9 July 1900 Queen Victoria gave Royal Assent to the Act to constitute the Commonwealth of Australia. The Act proclaimed that the Australian colonies would be united (as of January 1, 1901) as the Commonwealth of Australia, under a single constitution.

Quick Facts about Australia

Official Name: Commonwealth of Australia
Capital: Canberra
Population: 18,783,551 (July 1999 estimate)
Area: 2,967,710 square miles
Australia is the only country that is also a continent.
Australia is the smallest continent in the world and the sixth-largest country in land area
Australia is home to such unique animals as the kangaroo, the koala, and the dingo, a kind of dog

SAN FERMÍN GAMES

SAN FERMÍN 2016

INDEPENDENCE DAY 4th JULY - USA

Independence Day in the United States is also known as the Fourth of July. It is a national holiday that commemorates the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This was the day the USA was born and became independent from Great Britain. The terms “Independence Day” and the “Fourth of July” are a well-known part of the USA’s cultural language. People celebrate with national pride. There are fireworks, parades, sporting events and lots more. It is one of the biggest days on America’s holiday calendar. Politicians make speeches celebrating America’s history and traditions. In particular, attention turns to Thomas Jefferson’s speech that declared the United States of America as an independent nation.

Independence Day is a red, white and blue affair. The whole of the country displays American flags and banners. There are many festivals that enact famous events from America’s history. It is also a day when the nation gets outdoors. Picnics and barbecues with family and friends are the most popular ways to celebrate. In the evening, there are thousands of fireworks displays across the country. One of the most popular is the Macy’s department store show on New York’s East River. This is televised nationwide by the NBC TV channel. Also in New York, you can witness the Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island. Indeed, American food is of course a big part of the day and millions of hot dogs, burgers and pizzas are eaten.

4th OF JULY - INDEPENDENCE DAY- GAMES

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CANADA DAY - 1ST JULY

Canada Day (formerly known as Dominion Day) is a national holiday in Canada. It is always observed on 1 July, unless that date falls on a Sunday, in which case it is observed the following day

Why is this day formerly known Dominion Day?

On 1 July 1867, the British government (under Queen Victoria) approved a plan which allowed Canada to become an independent country with its own government. Four provinces (Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) joined to form the Dominion of Canada.

Dominion Day was officially renamed "Canada Day" by an Act of Parliament on 27 October 1982.

Canada was once a British Colony, but it is now an independent country with its own legal system and constitution.

Facts about Canada

Canada is ......

•a country occupying most of northern North America,

•one of the largest countries in the world

•the second largest country in the world.

Only 27 million people live in Canada, making it the 28th largest in population.

Canada has the largest source of fresh water in the world. A large portion of Canada is covered with lakes and streams.

In Canada, 100 different languages are spoken.

The Canadian $1 coin is called the Loonie, named after a bird, pictured on the coin, native to Canada.

DAY OF AN AFRICA CHILD - 16th JUNE

"The Day of the African Child is celebrated on 16 June in recognition of the day when, in 1976, thousands of black school children in Soweto, South Africa, took to the streets to protest the inferior quality of their education and to demand their right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of young boys and girls were shot; and in the two weeks of protest that followed, more than 100 people were killed and more than 1,000 were injured."
UNICEF

The Day of the African Child is a day to fight for the cause of children in trouble: the AIDS orphans, child soldiers and impoverished youth who will inherit the continent.

As many as 50,000 African children under the age of five will lose their lives as the result of preventable or curable diseases. And as many as 38 million children of primary school age in Africa still remain out of school.

HAPPY BLOOMSDAY

June the 16th is Bloomsday when Ireland celebrates the life of James Joyce. Bloomsday is a commemoration observed annually in Dublin and elsewhere in the world to celebrate the life of Irish writer James Joyce and recall the events in his novel Ulysses, all of which took place on the same day in Dublin in 1904. Joyce chose the date because his first outing with his wife-to-be, Nora Barnacle happened on that day. The name derives from Leopold Bloom, the protagonist of Ulysses.

James Joyce lived for a time in Martello Tower situated beside the Forty Foot bathing place at Sandycove, a small village 7 miles south of Dublin. The opening scene of Joyce's Ulysses is set in this tower, which now hosts a small Joycean museum. Its people celebrate it with readings, music, songs, walking tours, and of course eating and drinking.

FOOD REVOLUTION DAY - 16th MAY

Food Revolution Day on 16 May is a chance for people who love food to come together to share
information, talents and resources; to pass on their knowledge and highlight the world’s food issues. All around the globe, people will work together to make a difference. Food Revolution Day is about connecting with your community through events at schools, restaurants, local businesses, dinner parties and farmers' markets. We want to inspire change in people’s food habits and to promote the mission for better food and education for everyone.

Worldwide, obesity has more than doubled since 1980. For the first time in history, being overweight is killing more people than being underweight, and at least 2.8 million adults around the world die each year as a result of being overweight or obese. This has to change, and it’s down to us. We need to get back to basics and start thinking about where our food comes from. We need to become a conscious community and understand the food choices we make on a daily basis. We can do this by improving food education.

Encouraging people to cook from scratch at home is at the heart of this. We all have family and friends who could make better food choices. On Food Revolution Day we can work together to empower people with the skills to improve their diet. Making simple changes to our food choices will improve our quality of life and our children’s. Forty-two million children under five are already obese and we need to reverse this. Let’s make some noise, raise our voices together and have a lasting and positive impact on their lives and ours. Food Revolution Day is our opportunity to get the world to focus on food issues and rally our efforts to bring food education back into schools.

THE BOOK FAIR IN MÁLAGA 29th APRIL - 8th MAY

Another year is being celebrated the Book Fair in many Spanish cities, the annual meeting with news of the publishing world and bookselling in general. 

In Malaga the Book fair is celebrating from the 20th  April to 8th of May its 45 edition in the Palmeral de las Sorpresas. The Book Fair is also a good opportunity to enjoy the beautiful PORT and  of the best view in Malaga during an excellent season. 

If you want to find rarities, old books, comics, encyclopedias, and lots more, just wander to  along the port. If you like reading, this is your opportunity to roam about and buy whatever you want. 

Around fifty posts turn the Palmeral de las Sorpresas in a great celebration of the written with the presence many local and national authors.

EASTER FUN

Read this interactive book about Easter

Now, after reading the book, play the interactive game below to practise your Easter vocabulary.

If you want to review and check what you know about Easter you can play with this wonderful activity

TRADITIONS AND LEGENDS IN MALAGA

CHRIST OF BLOOD

In a city with such a maritime tradition as Malaga, there had to be a legend linked to the fishermen. According to the story, a group of fishermen were at sea fishing off their boat when they were surprised by a sudden storm and, unfortunately, the waves swept them away from the coast. Despite all their efforts they were unable to control the boat and get back to land. Under menacing black clouds and in the midst of enormous waves they entrusted their souls to the Lord, sure that their end was near. However, following their prayers a ray of light lit the Heavens and the waters calmed in the middle of the waves, place in which the sculpture of a Christ Crucified appeared. The seamen immediately steered their boat towards the image, which they rescued from the sea and saw that blood was flowing the side. The storm finally blew itself out and they were able to return to land safe and sound and with the image of Christ Crucified, which was taken to the old Convent de la Merced, where it has been venerated since as the Cristo de la Sangre (Christ of Blood).