Текст про Новый год на английском с переводом: 4 уровня - Новый год в России и в мире

New Year is on the 1st of January. In Russia, it is the biggest winter holiday.

Families put up a New Year tree. They decorate it with toys, lights and a big star.

Ded Moroz and Snegurochka bring presents. Children find them under the tree.

On the 31st of December, families have a big dinner. At midnight, the clock strikes twelve and everyone makes a wish.

People say, “Happy New Year!” There are fireworks in the sky.

In Russia, New Year is the most important winter holiday. People get ready for weeks: they buy a tree, make presents and plan a big dinner. Children have winter holidays and go to New Year parties at school.

On New Year’s Eve, families sit at a big table with salads, cakes and tangerines. Just before midnight, everyone watches the clock on TV. When it strikes twelve, they make a wish. Then children open their presents from Ded Moroz.

In Britain, Christmas is more important, and New Year is a smaller holiday. On New Year’s Eve, many people go to parties or watch fireworks on TV. In London, thousands of people watch the fireworks over the River Thames when Big Ben strikes twelve.

In Scotland, New Year is called Hogmanay. People sing an old song, “Auld Lang Syne”, and hold hands in a big circle. Many people in Britain also make New Year’s resolutions. They promise: “This year I will read more books!”

Not always in January

More than two thousand years ago, the Romans made the 1st of January the first day of the year. But many countries started the year on other dates. In England, for example, the new year officially began on the 25th of March until 1752!

Peter the Great’s New Year

In Russia, the year used to start in September. In 1700, Peter the Great ordered people to celebrate New Year on the 1st of January, to decorate their homes with fir branches and to light fireworks. The New Year tree became the main symbol of the holiday much later, in the 1930s.

Why is there an Old New Year?

Russia changed to a new calendar in 1918, and the dates moved by thirteen days. That is why some people still celebrate the “Old New Year” on the night of the 13th of January - it is the 1st of January in the old calendar.

First-footing in Scotland

In Scotland, the first person who comes into your home after midnight is called the “first foot”. People believe that this visitor brings luck for the whole year. Traditionally, a first foot brings small gifts, such as a piece of coal for a warm home and shortbread so that the family will always have enough food.

Around the world

In Spain, people eat twelve grapes at midnight, one for every strike of the clock. In Japan, temple bells ring 108 times. And in China, New Year comes in January or February: streets are decorated with red lanterns, and people watch dragon dances.

Ancient new years

About four thousand years ago, the Babylonians celebrated the new year in spring, when crops were planted. The Romans first did the same, but later moved the start of the year to the 1st of January. The month was named after Janus, the god of beginnings, who had two faces: one looking back at the old year and one looking forward to the new.

Lost days

In medieval Europe, the year began on different dates in different places - on Christmas Day, on the 25th of March or even at Easter. In 1582, the Pope introduced a more accurate calendar, but Britain adopted it only in 1752. To catch up, eleven days were simply dropped: people went to bed on the 2nd of September and woke up on the 14th.

Russia’s two calendars

Peter the Great moved the Russian New Year to the 1st of January in 1700, but Russia kept the old calendar until 1918. When it switched, the dates moved by thirteen days. The Orthodox Church still uses the old calendar, which is why Russians celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January and can enjoy an “Old New Year” on the night of the 13th.

The story of the New Year tree

In the 1920s, the decorated tree was seen as a religious symbol and was not welcome. It was revived in 1935, but as a New Year tree, topped with a star. Soon Ded Moroz and Snegurochka became the stars of school parties, which are still called “yolki” after the tree.

Old friends and new promises

At midnight, people around the world sing “Auld Lang Syne”, an old Scottish song about friendship whose words were written down by Robert Burns in 1788. Many also make resolutions - a custom that goes back to the Babylonians, who promised their gods to repay their debts. Psychologists say that most resolutions are given up within weeks, and that specific, achievable goals - “read ten pages a day” rather than “read more” - are far easier to keep.

A shared countdown

Today the countdown to midnight travels around the planet: the first fireworks light up the sky over the islands of the Pacific, and the last ones about a day later. Whatever calendar we use, the new year is a chance to look back, like Janus, and to look forward.