ASTANA – THE CAPITAL OF KAZAKHSTAN
Akmola steppes have always been the territory of interethnic communication of various nations and cultures. In the middle of the first millennium BC the Grand Silk Route ran through these steppes. Numerous caravan routes gave birth to cities with prosperous trade and handicrafts. In the XIX–th century Akmola was a substantial commercial and economic centre in the steppe. The history of Akmolinsk starts from the year of 1830, when the fortress with this name was established in the area of Karautkel by the Russian Empire. By the end of the XIX-th century it had become a district with the population of about 10,000. There were 3 churches, 5 schools and colleges and 3 factories.
Later Akmolinsk was developed as a large railway junction. During the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) a lot of industrial enterprises were evacuated there. They marked the beginning of the industrial stage in the development of the city.
The development of virgin and disused lands which started in 1959 influenced greatly on the formation of the city. Akmolinsk turned out to be a geographical centre of the vast virgin territory and became its administrative centre. The number of citizens increased significantly. Thousands of volunteers came to build the city and live there. In 1961 Akmolinsk changed its name to Tselinograd and grew into a modern city. Within ten years there appeared a bridge connecting the city with the park zone, a TV-centre, new institutes, schools, museums, two wonderful palaces, some fashionable hotels, different institutions. The region became a great agricultural centre with well-developed agricultural machine-building, meat-and-milk cattle-breeding and poultry farming.
In 1992 the city was returned its former name – Akmola. But in 1998 with the transfer of the capital from Alma-Aty to Akmola, the city got a new symbolic name – Astana. This decision was promoted by economic, ecological and geographical expediency.
Astana is all in scaffolds. Construction goes on all round the city. Astana is the city of great construction projects. In 1999 it was awarded the prize “Cities – for peace” by the international organization UNESCO. It is the admission of the unique experience in developing the new capital of Kazakhstan.
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There appeared a number of interesting monuments and sightseeings in Astana. The symbol of the capital and the country, of the nation, peace and life is the monument Astana – Bayterek. Bayterek is the name of a fairy-tale tree. Once a year the bird Samruk laid a gold egg in its branches. A stylized tree with a dome-egg is a wonderful tower. It is in the very centre of the left-bank part of the capital where a new administrative and business centre is being constructed. There is a memorial devoted to the victims of political repressions. Another monument is devoted to the defenders of the Motherland. The monument “Nayza” symbolizes the unification of the three Kazakh zhuses.
Some old historical buildings were reconstructed. In two fine wooden houses built at the beginning of the XX-th century the museum of Saken Seyfullin is housed. In front of the museum there is a monument to the founder of the Kazakh literature. The palace “Tselinnik” was reconstructed and now it is called “Congress Hall”. The Palace of Youth opened in 1963 is called “Zhastar” now.
Nowadays Astana is becoming the international, business and cultural centre of not only Kazakhstan, but of the Eurasian continent as a whole.
HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS OF GREAT BRITAIN
Every nation and every country has its own traditions and customs. Traditions make a nation special. Some of them are old-fashioned and many people remember them, others are part of people’s life. Some British customs and traditions are known the entire world.
Bowler hats, tea and talking about the weather, for example. From Scotland to Cornwall, the United Kingdom is full of customs and traditions. Here are some of them.
Saint Valentine’s Day
St. Valentine's Day roots in several different legends that have found their way to us through the ages. One of the earliest popular symbols of the day is Cupid, the Roman god of Love who is represented by the image of a young boy with bow and arrow. Three hundred years after the death of Jesus Christ, the Roman emperors still demanded that everyone believe in the Roman gods. Valentine, a Christian priest, had been thrown in prison for his teachings. On February 14, Valentine was beheaded, not only because he was a Christian, but also because he had performed a miracle. He supposedly cured the jailer's daughter of her blindness.
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The night before he was executed, he wrote the jailer's daughter a farewell letter, signing it, "from Your Valentine". Another legend tells us that this same Valentine, well-loved by all, wrote notes from his jail cell to children and friends who missed him. Whatever the odd mixture of origins, St. Valentine's Day is now a day for sweethearts. It is the day that you show your friend or beloved one that you care. You can send candy to someone you think is special. Or you can send "valentines" a greeting card named after the notes that St. Valentine wrote from jail. Valentines can be sentimental, romantic, and heartfelt. They can be funny and friendly. If the sender is shy, valentines can be anonymous. Handmade valentines, created by cutting hearts out of colored paper, show that a lot of thought was put into making them personal. Valentines can be heart-shaped, or have hearts, the symbol of love, on them.
Guy Fawkes Night
For the British people, November 5th calls to remind one man, Guy Fawkes. It is a date that people remember long after their school day history lessons. There is even a popular verse about it: “Remember, remember the Fifth of November; Gunpowder, Treason and Plot”. Guy Fawkes was one of the group of conspirators who planned to blow up the House of Lords while the King and the Lords were gathered there for opening the Parliament on November 5th, 1605.
Guy Fawkes was discovered in a cellar full of barrels of gunpowder under the Parliament building. The cellars were searched and he was arrested. He and some of the conspirators were executed. The cellars of the House of Parliament are still searched every day by in a special ceremony by the Guards wearing the special uniform.
Every year November 5th is commemorated in gardens and parks with fireworks and bonfires. Children make guys – figures representing Guy Fawkes – out of old clothes stuffed with straw and masks and burn them on the bonfires.
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Christmas
For most British families, this is the most important festival of the year; it combines the Christian celebration or the birth of Christ with the traditional festivities of winter. On the Sunday before Christmas many churches hold a carol service where special hymns are sung. Sometimes carol-singers can be heard on the streets as they collect money for charity. Most families decorate their houses with brightly-colored paper or holly, and they usually have a Christmas tree in the corner or the front room, glittering with colored lights and decorations. There are a lot of traditions connected with Christmas but perhaps the most important one is the giving of present. Family members wrap up their gifts and leave them bottom of the Christmas tree to be found on Christmas morning. Children leave sock or stocking at the end of their beds on Christmas Eve, 24th of December, hoping that Father Christmas will come down the chimney during the night and bring them small presents, fruit and nuts. They are usually not disappointed! At some time on Christmas Day the family sit down to a big turkey dinner followed by Christmas pudding. Christmas dinner consists traditionally of a roast turkey, goose or chicken with stuffing and roast potatoes. Mince pies and Christmas pudding flaming with brandy, which might contain coins or lucky charms for children, follow this. (The pudding is usually prepared beforehand and is customarily stirred by each member of the family as a wish is made.). Later in the day, a Christmas cake may be served - a rich baked fruitcake with marzipan, icing and sugar frosting.
26th December is also a public holiday, Boxing Day, which takes its name from a former custom of giving a Christmas Box - a gift of money or food inside a box - to the deliverymen and trades people who called regularly during the year. This tradition survives in the custom of tipping the milkman, postman, dustmen and other callers of good service at Christmas time. This is the time to visit friends and relatives or watch football.
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New Year's Eve is a more important festival in Scotland than it is in England, and it even has a special name. It is not clear where the word 'Hogmanay' (First Footing) comes from, but it is connected with the provision of food and drink for all visitors to your home on 31th December. It was believed that the first person to visit one's house on New Year's Day could bring good or bad luck. Therefore, people tried to arrange for the person or their own choice to be standing outside their houses ready to be let in the moment midnight had come. Usually a dark-complexioned man was chosen, and never a woman, for she would bring bad luck. The first footer was required to carry three articles: a piece of coal to wish warmth, a piece of bread to wish food, and a silver coin to wish wealth.
There are also ‘bank holidays’ (official days off) in Great Britain, such as Good Friday, Easter Monday, May day, Spring and Summer Bank Holidays, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Only when the UK joined the EEC the New Year’s Day became a public holiday.
HOLIDAYS OF THE USA
January
New Year’s Day celebrates the start of a new year. Americans celebrate New Year’s Day on the first day of January, but the celebration actually begins on December 31, New Year’s Eve, the night before New Year’s Day. People stay up all night; they blow horns and whistles at midnight to announce the beginning of a new year. Some people shake hands, kiss, hug, sing, and shout “Happy New Year!”
On January 15, Americans celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a minister who fought against racial discrimination. He said that a person’s character is more important than the color of his skin. To remember Martin Luther King, many Americans go to church or participate in public ceremonies.
February
Americans celebrate St. Valentines Day on February 14. It is a day of love and friendship. People send greeting cards to their sweethearts and friends and ask them to “Be My Valentine”. This means “be my friend or love”. Children decorate their classrooms with big red hearts and give red roses and chocolate to their sweethearts, friends and family.
On the third Monday in February, Americans celebrate President’s Day. This holiday honors two of their greatest presidents, George Washington, the first president, and Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president. Both presidents are famous for their honesty. Until 1986 this holiday was in fast two holidays: Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday, celebrated on February 12, and George Washington’s Birthday, celebrated on February 22. Nowadays their birthdays are celebrated on the 3rd Monday in February.
March
On March 17, Americans celebrate an Irish religious holiday, St. Patrick’s Day. This Day people decorate their houses, schools, and streets with green shamrocks. And they all wear something green. They say that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.
April
Easter is celebrated on a Sunday in April or May. The week before Easter Americans color eggs. On Easter Sunday children wake up to find that the Easter Bunny has left them a basket of candy.
May
Americans honor their mothers on the second Sunday in May. This day is called Mother’s Day. Children usually buy their Moms a nice greeting card and flowers. Men usually make a big dinner. It is the way of saying, “Thanks for being such a great Mom!”
June
Americans celebrate Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June. Children usually cook breakfast for their Dads and buy him a greeting card and a new necktie.
July
On July 4, the United States celebrate Independence Day. It is called Independence Day, because on July 4, 1776, founding fathers declared that the United States would be free and independent from England.
October
On October 12, Americans celebrate Columbus Day. Christopher Columbus discovered America on October 12, 1492. At that time, many people in Europe thought that the world was flat and that if a ship sailed to the edge of the world, it would fall off! But Columbus believed the world was round and made the journey to America.
Halloween is one of the holydays for children. American children celebrate Halloween on October 31. Children wear masks and colorful costumes. The most popular costumes are ghosts, witches, and skeletons. The children walk door to door in the neighborhood and shout “trick or treat!” Most people give them a treat – candy or fruit. Americans also decorate their houses in the traditional Halloween colors: orange and black. Popular decorations are witches, ghosts, skeletons, black cats and jack-o-lantern. Jack-o-lanterns are pumpkins that are carved to look like faces. Everyone tries to look scary on Halloween!
November
Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday in November. This is a family holiday. Families gather to give thanks for all the good things in their lives. They make a big turkey dinner.
December
Americans celebrate Christmas on December 25. Christmas is a religious holiday and one of the happiest holydays of the year, because it is the day that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. People prepare for Christmas weeks before. They buy gifts for their family and friends, choose a tree and decorate it with ornaments and lights. And they prepare special foods and cookies. Christmas is also the day that Santa Claus visits children and brings them presents in bright paper and ribbons. He delivers them on Christmas Eve, the night before Christmas, when children are sleeping. How does he get into a house? He climbs down the chimney and leaves the presents under the Christmas tree. In the morning, children open their presents and then go to church. They wish each other “Merry Christmas!”
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