Text C Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Fat Tuesday – Жирный вторник (последний день масленицы в англиканской церкви); Ash Wednesday – Пепельная среда(первый день Великого поста, день покаяния); Lent – Великий пост; Epiphany – Крещение; Easter –Пасха.

Mardi gras is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday. In English “Mardi Gras” refers to events of the celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday. It can occur anytime between February 3rd and March 9th, depending on when Easter is held that particular year.

Mardi Gras arrived in North America as a French Catholic tradition in the late 17th century when King Louis XIV sent the Le Moyne brothers to defend France's claim on the territory of Louisiana. The expedition entered the mouth of the Mississippi River and landed at a place about 60 miles downriver from where New Orleans is today. This was on March 3, 1699, Mardi Gras. So in honor of this holiday this place was named “Mardi Gras Point”. In 1703 French settlers began the Mardi Gras celebration tradition in Louisiana. Since that time the most interesting events have been taking place in New Orleans under the slogan “Let the good times roll”.

The colors of the party are chosen with the declaration of their meaning: purple for justice, green for faith and gold for power. Doubloons, beads, and King Cakes are the most enduring symbols of Mardi Gras. Popular practices include wearing masks and costumes, overturning social conventions, dancing, sports competitions. But the Carnival season wouldn't be where it is today without its famous parades rolling through the streets of New Orleans. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, one could watch about 60 parades during the two weeks. The parades are organized by a membership of like minded people referred to as a Krewe. Typically one must be invited to join a Krewe. Every parade will elect a King or a Queen. These individuals are picked from the respective Krewe membership. Each parade must have floats. They are designed around particular theme for the year and often make fun of certain cultural events. The parade's respective Krewe members get the honor of riding the floats, and they get to toss beads, doubloons and trinkets over the course of the parade's route. The trinkets usually bear the Krewe's emblem and the particular parade's theme and date. Local high-schools usually provide a musical soundtrack. Flag drills, clap sequences, dance routines and marching steps along with colorful costumes make parade watching in New Orleans a fun activity.

One may say that Mardi Gras means a few days of debauchery. The citizens of New Orleans think that Mardi Gras allows them to forget about troubles if not for a few days, then for at least a few hours. It gives the pleasure of standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow citizens, trying to snag that necklace of beads that is just out of reach, and it allows them to come together as a community to celebrate and chide all that is good and bad in today’s world.

11. Assignment for a curious student.

How is the Mardi Gras celebration tradition in Louisiana connected with Russia?

12. Test yourself and choose the correct answers.

1) What is the national symbol of the USA?

the rose

the Cherokee rose

the Statue of Liberty

the bold eagle

 

2) The Mayflower was the ship on which British settlers arrived in North America in 1620. They were

the Puritans

the Pilgrims

the Mormons

the settlers of the Virginia company

3) What is Washington?

a country

a district

a city

a state

4) What is the largest state in the USA?

Colorado

California

Michigan

Alaska

5) This city was built on the banks of the Potomac river.

New York

Los Angeles

Washington D.C.

Salt Lake City

6) How do people call New York?

a melting pot

a big pot

a big apple

a big mug

7) When was America discovered?

8) Who made the first American flag?

Betsy Ross

Mary Ross

Jane Ross

Ann Ross

9) The Statue of Liberty in harbour of New York was presented to the USA by?

Great Britain

France

Germany

Denmark

10) What is the real name of Mark Twain?

John Brown

Mac Milan

Samuel Clemens

Johnson Wright