New Year’s Day is a family holiday for many Russians. Dinner usually starts late on December 31. Traditional meals include Russian salad, herring and sparkling wine. A pre-recorded address by the country’s president appears on TV, listing the achievements of the past year, at 11.55pm (23:55) local time in each of Russia’s time zones. Many people watch his address and raise a toast to the chiming of the Kremlin clock. The Russian national anthem begins at midnight and people congratulate each other and exchange presents. Some people go out to make a snowman or light fire crackers in their backyards.
People may celebrate the day at a friend’s house or attend the fireworks in their city. Celebrations for children include a decorated fir tree and Grandfather Frost, the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus, who gives presents. Grandfather Frost often comes with his granddaughter, Snegurochka (“The Snow Girl”). As things quieten down later in the day, many people visit their friends or relatives. Another tradition is to wish a “Happy New Year” to passers-by throughout January 1.
The stork is a large, long-legged, long-necked bird with a long red or orange bill. Most storks live in warm tropical areas in Florida (the USA), South America, Africa, India and Asia. A few storks live in cold areas and migrate south in the winter. Storks live in swamps and wetlands. They use their long bills to catch fish, frogs and other small animals.
In some countries, such as Russia and Germany, people believe storks bring good luck to a family when they nest on these people's roofs. There were days when people believed that storks could bring babies.
Storks cannot sing the way most birds can. They can hiss or screech. They also clatter their bills together.
New Year’s Day is a family holiday for many Russians. Dinner usually starts late on December 31. Traditional meals include Russian salad, herring and sparkling wine. A pre-recorded address by the country’s president appears on TV, listing the achievements of the past year, at 11.55pm (23:55) local time in each of Russia’s time zones. Many people watch his address and raise a toast to the chiming of the Kremlin clock. The Russian national anthem begins at midnight and people congratulate each other and exchange presents. Some people go out to make a snowman or light fire crackers in their backyards.
People may celebrate the day at a friend’s house or attend the fireworks in their city. Celebrations for children include a decorated fir tree and Grandfather Frost, the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus, who gives presents. Grandfather Frost often comes with his granddaughter, Snegurochka (“The Snow Girl”). As things quieten down later in the day, many people visit their friends or relatives. Another tradition is to wish a “Happy New Year” to passers-by throughout January 1.
I would like to tell about storks.
The stork is a large, long-legged, long-necked bird with a long red or orange bill. Most storks live in warm tropical areas in Florida (the USA), South America, Africa, India and Asia. A few storks live in cold areas and migrate south in the winter. Storks live in swamps and wetlands. They use their long bills to catch fish, frogs and other small animals.
In some countries, such as Russia and Germany, people believe storks bring good luck to a family when they nest on these people's roofs. There were days when people believed that storks could bring babies.
Storks cannot sing the way most birds can. They can hiss or screech. They also clatter their bills together.