Christmas Celebrations Around the World

Today we have started our research on Christmas Traditions. We have never thought that such activity would be so interesting and breath-taking. To be sincere, all information was great, but for us personally the traditions of Germany and Mexico were the most exciting. For instance, a unique aspect of the German Christmas decorations (kids can not take part in the beautification of the Christmas tree) and the legend of the Aztecs (Mexico’s ancient worship of the sun) became amazing discoveries for us. Besides, the fact that in France a law was passed decreeing that all letters written to Santa would responded to with a postcard attracted our attention.

To learn more follow the next links:                                                          http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/worldxmas/germany.htm

http://french.about.com/cs/culture/a/christmas.htm
http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/feature/xmasindex.html

William Blake

 

Owing to lessons of English literature we have a possibility to learn about the most salient English writers and acquaint with their works. On learning William Blake I’ve become fascinated by his creativity. Consequently, I’m eager to post some information about this artist in order to shed some light on this idiosyncratic man.

Poet, painter, engraver and mystic William Blake was born in London, on November 28,1757. His parents, James and Catherine, ran a hosiery shop and were political radicals and religious Dissenters. William attended school only long enough to learn reading and writing, leaving at the age of ten, and was otherwise educated at home by his mother. He began writing poetry when he was twelve and was apprenticed to a London engraver at the age of fourteen. His poetry and visual art are inextricably linked.

In 1784, he set up a print shop, but within a few years the business floundered and for the rest of his life Blake eked out a living as an engraver and illustrator. His wife, Catharine, whom he married in 1782, remained faithful and diligent and she helped him to print the illuminated poetry for which he is remembered today.

In 1789, he published his Songs of Innocence, the gentlest of his lyrics, but the collection was followed by Songs of Experience, containing a profound expression of adult corruption and repression. His long list of works shows relentless energy and drive. As one of the most complex writers known, it is impossible to summarize his career - he was a combination of extremes. He’s great, You mat ensure this by your own, when reading his poems or gazing his paintings.

Belfast

The capital and the largest city of Northern Ireland is Belfast. It’s a real heart of industry, as well as the arts, higher education and business. It’s a legal center, and is the economic engine of the whole Northern Ireland.

   The city of Belfast has a population of 267,500 and lies in the middle of the Belfast urban area. Belfast  traces its roots to a settlement to a French Huguenots. During the 18Th and 19th centuries, Belfast was swept up in the Industrial Revolution and has become a centre for the Irish linen industry, tobacco production, rope-making and shipbuilding. Belfast has been the capital of Northern Ireland since its establishment in 1921.

    The city of Belfast has the Latin motto "Pro tanto quid retribuamus which means  "In return for so much, what shall we give back?". The precise origins and meanings of the symbols contained on the Coat of Arms are unknown. However, images such as the bell, the seahorse, the ship and the chained wolf were all used by 17th century Belfast merchants on their signs and coinage. 
The seahorse, which is used twice, shows the maritime importance of Belfast, as does the ship at the base of the shield. 
    The name ‘Belfast’ also originates from the Gaelic ‘Beal Feirste’, which means ‘mouth of the river’. 

for friendly citizens, gracious parks, splendid Victorian architecture, and trendy nightlife.
To learn more:
http://www.bc.edu/offices/international/programs/progsemesteryear/europerussia/belfastderry.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belfast
http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/cityhall/coatofarms.asp

Сultural Travel Program

We’re eager to offer you some ideas of great spending time in NI, and we have elaborated some tours.

The best time to visit northern Ireland is autumn all hallows eve is a good reason to be become a fugitive from cities dust and fever and to find your peaceful solitude in NI. To feel Halloween spirit, visit creaking stately homes of ghosts You can’t but visit Belfast. Belfast is teeming with a multitude of stylish bars, gourmet restaurants, trendy clubs and some of the best shopping in the UK. Visitors can enjoy traditional Irish music in a local pub or dance the night away to the latest vibes - the choice is theirs! the city is compact and easy to get around, whether by car or on foot. Another alternative is The Mourne Mountains. The Mourne Mountains and its surrounding area provide every outdoor activity from hill walking, rock climbing, and mountain boarding to horse riding, fishing and golf.  The perfect holiday location for the outdoor enthusiast. You can also visit The Walled City of Derry. Londonderry, also known as Derry, is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe. Few places in these islands can offer such a compelling and unique experience for the visitor as the Walled City of Derry - its setting on the steep hills overlooking the wide sweep of the River Foyle, its distinctive architecture and its famous walls all provide enormous appeal.

Want to visit these places? More information about airports here:http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Airports-and-Ferry-Operators-Links--A2175

Letter to our friend in Great Britain

    Dear friend!

    We’re the group of explores of Northern Ireland. Our creative team is Marina Volokhova, Tanya Melnyk and Lena Shevchuk. We were born in cozy Ukrainian town Rivne approximately 16 years ago. Now we’re studying at school #15, which is a specialist school to study foreign languages. This year we have started learning UK Country Study subject, and our task is to discover amazing part of GB – Northern Ireland.

   Next information will give you general idea about who we are.

   Tanya is interested in Ukrainian embroidery. Сonsequently she has reached high results in participating in international embroidery competition. She’s fond of traveling all over the world. And it’s her dream to visit all the European countries.

   Lena is fond of modern dancing. In her free time she takes lessons of hip-hop. Lena is interested in photography. Every summer she travels in different countries of Europe and takes photos of sightseeing. For information Lena has already published her photos in local newspapers.

  Marina is talented artist and musician. She is fond of modern art. Marina is a kind of active person: she takes part in various Olympiads, concerts and exhibitions. Her dream is to paint astounding nature of  Northern Ireland.

 All of us are fond of traveling. We enjoy to travel inside of our beautiful country.There are many places of interest in it.Take for instance Rivne region. In September our class visited Peresopnitsya,where we were informed about first Ukrainian book. Moreover we discovered many exiting facts about history,culture of our country.That was the best trip in our life. 

   

Northern Ireland’s History Time-line

Northern Ireland’s locals have been witness to invasions, battles, famines and a lot more. In this section you will learn some of Ireland’s more important historic events and how to help shape the country as we see it today. As historic events in Ireland took place they influenced the Irish culture  in many different ways so sit back and enjoy this section of Irish history.

Ancient Northern Ireland

• 3200BC – Irish passage tombs such as Newgrange are built
• 700BC – The Iron Age Period and the Celts in Ireland

Medieval period in Northern Ireland

• 432 – St Patrick arrives in Ireland
• 1155 – English King Henry II is given authority over Ireland by Pope Adrian
• 1297 – Irish Parliament is founded

16th Century in Northern Ireland

• 1567 – The Battle of Farsetmore
• 1580 – The Siege of Smerwick
• 1594 –   The begining of the nine years war

17th Century Northern Ireland

• 1642 – The Irish Confederate Wars
• 1662 – Act of Settlement 1662 is passed by Irish parliment
• 1695 – The introduction of Anti-Catholic Penal Laws

18th Century Northern Ireland

• 1760 – French invaders attack Carrickfergus looting the castle
• 1791 – The Society of United Irishmen is founded
• 1798 – Irish Rebellion of 1798

19th Century Northern Ireland

• 1845 – Ireland suffers from a major famine.
• 1858 – The Irish Republican Brotherhood is formed
• 1867 – The Fenian Rising
• 1879 – The Irish National Land League is founded

20th Century Northern History

• 1914 – The First World War begins
• 1916 – The Easter Rising Sunday
• 1919 – The Irish War of Independence
• 1920 – Government of Ireland Act 1920 introduced. Ireland becomes partitioned with the creation of Northern Ireland
• 1939 – Word War II begins
• 1967 – The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) is founded
• 1999 – Nuala O’Loan becomes the first Police Ombudsman in Northern Ireland

21st Century History of Northern Ireland

• 2007 – Ian Paisley is elected First Minister of the Northern Ireland Assembly
• 2007- Martin McGuinness becomes deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland

More information on: http://www.yourirish.com/history/

Climate of Northern Ireland

The climate of Ireland can be summed up as being mild, moist and changeable with abundant rainfall and a lack of temperature extremes. In general the weather is similar to the rest of the UK, but Northern Ireland tends to have less sunshine and more rain. Extremes of temperature are rare but conditions can be changeable.The weather in Northern Ireland is traditionally changeable. The temperature usually stays above freezing, so there is seldom snow or ice, but at any time of year it is advisable to be prepared for rain. Summer months sometimes see prolonged periods of sunshine.

To get more information:

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/climate.htm