Which Forest thinning before the new year?
(Coniferous forest. Spruce forest, pine forest, etc.)
What beauty dresses up once a year?
(New Year's Christmas tree .)
Thanks to the work of people of what profession, New Year's Eve is dressed up Christmas tree?
(Glass blowers.)
Which country is considered the historical homeland of the Christmas, and then the New Year Christmas trees?
(Germany.)
When was born herringbone according to the biological passport?
(Coniferous trees are of ancient origin. They replaced fern-like plants at the beginning of the Mesozoic. It may very well be that the distant ancestors of our Christmas tree were contemporaries of giant dinosaurs.)
How many years does he live spruce if it escapes the fate of becoming a New Year's tree?
(Spruce lives 300-400 years. Long-lived Christmas trees can live up to 500 years.)
To which family do they belong Christmas trees?
(To the family pine. )
At what age do ate bumps appear?
(At 35 - 40 years old.)
Can spruce to predict the weather?
Length of all roots of one tree ate is approximately 2 km, and one tree pines- six times more. What conclusion can be drawn about the conditions of existence of these trees?
(Pine grows in drier soils than spruce .)
Why pines in the forest, the lower branches die off, and ate No?
(Pine - photophilous plant.
What wood were ship masts made of?
(From pines. )
What can be obtained from needles pines?
(Vitamin flour, artificial wool.)
Pine can be planted to strengthen the sands, and spruce no. Why?
(U pines roots go deep into the soil ate they are close to the surface.)
How to distinguish a cedar branch pines from the branch pines ordinary?
(In a pine tree, the needles are arranged two in a bunch, and in a cedar tree - five each.)
In which forest is darker - in spruce or pine?
(In the spruce.)
Which coniferous is the tree considered the most musical?
(Spruce . Pianos, balalaikas, guitars are made from spruce.)
What kind of wood coniferous does the tree sink in water?
(Larch .)
The wood of what our coniferous wood does not collapse under the action of water and air and is stored for millennia?
(Larches . Its wood is used for underwater structures, in shipbuilding, etc.)
From what coniferous wood made the internal details of the buildings of the Moscow Kremlin, the wood of this tree does not rot?
(Larch. )
Which coniferous the tree is otherwise called Siberian cedar?
(Pine u.)
From the seeds of which Eurasian pines get oil?
(From cedar - Siberian pine.)
how many pine cones does a squirrel need a day to be full?
(380 pieces. Cedar - 2 pieces, spruce - 30 pieces. A Pine cones squirrels are not very fond of, they are very resinous.)
In the old days in Russia, beer was brewed, using young shoots of this beer instead of hops. coniferous tree. What?
(Pines .)
What plant is called "grape" coniferous forests"?
(Juniper.)
Which tree is the only one coniferous- poisonous?
(Yew berry.)
Name the "pencil" tree.
(Cedar. )
Which coniferous the tree almost does not burn and “loves” fires?
(Sequoia evergreen, cultivated in the south of Russia.)
The scientific name of this prized landscape designer ate – spruce Engelman. And by what “color” name do we know it?
(Blue spruce .)
A forest of aspens is called aspen forest, of oaks - oak forest. What are coniferous forests called? oil? Pines? Cedar trees? fir?
(Spruce forest, pine forest, cedar forest or cedar forest, fir forest.)
Ryzhik willingly grow under Christmas trees and pines. Spruce mushrooms grow in spruce forests, but what is another name for pine mushrooms?
(Upland mushroom.)
What forest bird lives in Siberian taiga, can remember the location of almost six thousand of her storerooms, in which she hid her supplies for the winter?
(This is smart cedar ovka hiding cedar cones in pantries. Her visual memory is larger than a human's.
Which plant is not coniferous: cypress or eucalyptus?
(Eucalyptus.)
What kind coniferous plants reach a diameter of 12 meters?
(Sequoia.)
What valuable ornamental stone is fossil resin coniferous trees?
(Amber.)
Wand of which ancient god was crowned spruce bump?
(Dionysus, or Bacchus.)
The winner of what games in ancient Greece was awarded a wreath of pines?
(Winner of the Isthmian Games.)
What wood was Jupiter's scepter made from? Trojan horse? Arrows of Cupid?
(Scepter from cypress , a horse from ate , arrows from cedar .)
The coat of arms of which Russian city is decorated with a cannon and three Christmas trees?
(Yelnya . Smolensk region, on the Desna River.)
Not only coniferous tree, but also a tributary of the Don.
(Pine .)
Not only pine forest, but also the city Nizhny Novgorod region RF.
(Bor.)
What tree is depicted on the coat of arms of the city located in the Lipetsk region on the banks of the river Pines?
(Spruce - the city of Yelets.)
The name of which European country comes from the word "molid" - " Pine»?
(Moldova, Moldova.)
How often is a branch called coniferous tree: paw, flipper or claw?
(Paw.)
The name of which animal English language combines the words "pig" and " Pine»?
(Porcupine -porcupine. He resembles a pig by the habit of digging in the ground and grunting when grazing. Well, pine, of course, - with needles.)
The name of which fruit in English consists of two words in one - “ Pine' and 'apple'?
(Pineapple - pineapple, pine - pine, apple - apple.)
An anagram of the name of which coniferous tree is the word "pump"?
(Pine .)
Not only a drill in the dentist's car, but also pine Forest.
(Bor.)
Name the chemical element "name" coniferous forests.
(Bor.)
Which road sign is coniferous tree?
(On the road sign "Resting place".)
What do the fighter boy and pines?
(Bumps.)
What, regardless of the seeds thrown, grows in any furrow?
(Pinery - boron cool.)
Say in one word the phrase "One pine forest”, if this word is the surname of a Russian composer.
(Bor -one - Borodin.)
How they dressed up Christmas tree during the childhood of A.S. Pushkin?
(The Christmas tree in Russia began to be used as a New Year tree from the middleXIXcentury, the future poet did not have a Christmas tree in his childhood.)
Who wrote the story "The Boy at Christ's Christmas tree»?
(F.M. Dostoevsky.)
(V. Odoevsky.)
What fairy tale did G.Kh. Andersen: "Spruce", "Pine" or "Fir"?
(« Spruce ».)
About what tree did Mikhail Lermontov write "In the wild North it stands alone"?
(Pine .)
Name the children's storyteller who invented the New Year's Planet yolo To.
(Gianni Rodari.)
It was in January
stood Christmas tree on the mountain,
And next to this Christmas trees
The bad wolves roamed.
(A. Barto.)
In 1903, the Russian writer Raisa Adamovna Kudasheva wrote the poem " Christmas tree". Quote the first two lines, known to absolutely everyone.
(“I was born in the forest herringbone …»)
that wooden man was carved from Italian pines, hence the name. Which?
(Pinocchio. Pinia - Italian Pine , a coniferous tree with an umbrella-shaped crown.)
"In Italian pine cones - prickly and heavy, the size of a small melon. To fix such a bump on the head - so oh-oh! From whom did Pinocchio fight off with such cones?
(From Karabas Barabas.)
Which ballet begins with a scene at the Christmas Christmas trees: "Cinderella" or "The Nutcracker"?
("Nutcracker".)
Fill in the missing word in the Russian proverb: "Far Pine stands, but to his ... makes noise.
(boro.)
How do they talk about someone who cannot find a way out in a simple, uncomplicated life situation?
(At three pines got lost.)
how many pines stood on the Murom path in the famous Russian song?
(“On the Murom path stood three pines , dear, said goodbye to me until next spring.")
What in the song from the cartoon "The Bremen Town Musicians" did the characters call their walls?
(Pines -giants. “Our walls are giant pines…”).
In the 19th century, the Moscow mayor issued a decree in which he fixed the phrase recommended for coachmen to replace scolding in the presence of ladies. We also use this phrase with success. What phrase did he recommend?
(« Christmas trees - sticks.)
What does phraseologism mean now? Christmas trees-sticks?
(This expression means annoyance, bewilderment, admiration.)
Which coniferous did the tree give the name to the method of skiing up the slope?
(Spruce - "herringbone".)
What trees are depicted in Shishkin's painting "Ship Grove"?
(Pines .)
Morning in which forest did Shishkin depict on his famous canvas?
("Morning in pine forest.")
What trees are depicted in Ivan Shishkin's painting "Rye"?
(Pines .)
What is the name of the place where New Year's trees: green market, Christmas tree bazaar or coniferous supermarket?
(Christmas tree bazaar.)
NEW YEAR QUIZ for schoolchildren of 1-8 grades
Target: improve skills about the New Year.
Tasks:
1. develop logical thinking;
2. expand horizons and vocabulary;
3. increase interest in learning the language;
4. cultivate respect for the culture of the country of the language being studied.
5. to promote the development of students' creative abilities,
6. cultivate a sense of kindness, empathy, instill interest in art.
Equipment: presentation, certificates and assignments on cards.
Quiz for schoolchildren about the New Year
What winter holidays do we celebrate twice: according to the old and new style?
(Christmas - December 25 and January 7. New Year - January 1 in the new style and January 14 in the old style. The phrase old New Year is our domestic invention and tradition.
In Russia, when the whole family gathered for New Year's table, the children tied the legs of the table with a bast rope. What did this New Year's custom symbolize? (This meant that the family in the coming year would be strong and should not be separated.)
Why in 1699-1700 Russians celebrated the New Year twice with an interval of four months?
(In 1699, a few months after the Russians had already celebrated the New Year on September 1, they had to repeat the celebration. Because on December 19, Peter the Great issued a decree on the reform of the calendar in Russia. According to this document, the New Year began to be celebrated on 1 January and the Christian chronology was adopted - from the Nativity of Christ.The first January festive New Year in Russia was celebrated very widely for almost a day.)
When issuing a decree on the celebration of the New Year, Peter I wrote that on this day, January 1, “to decorate houses from pine and spruce trees and branches. To inflict shooting on each in his own yard, and do not inflict much drinking and massacre on this day ... ". Why did he forbid drinking and fighting that day? (According to Peter, "other days are enough" for this.)
In pre-Petrine Russia, fresh apples were a traditional New Year's treat for a festive feast. Why? (After all, before the calendar reform of Peter I, the New Year was celebrated on September 1 - at the time when apples were picked.)
In Japan, New Year's Eve is announced by 108 strokes of the bell; in the UK, New Year's midnight is beaten off by the London clock Big Ben. But in Russia?
(Moscow Kremlin chimes.)
Why didn't the future poet Pushkin have a Christmas tree in his childhood? (The Christmas tree in Russia began to be used as a New Year's tree only from the middle of the 19th century.)
With the advent of Soviet power, the custom of decorating a Christmas tree for Christmas was abolished as a religious one. And when was it restored? (Only in 1935, they began to decorate the Christmas tree for the New Year.)
When did January 1 become a non-working day in Russia? (The decision to do so was made in December 1947.)
Residents of which countries are the first in the world to celebrate the New Year?
(Inhabitants of New Zealand and the State of Fiji. This is due to the fact that these territories are geographically located closest to the date line.)
What advantage do the inhabitants of the Chukchi village of Uelen have over the rest of the Russians?
(They celebrate the New Year first. Uelen is the easternmost village in Russia. It is located not far from Cape Dezhnev in Chukotka autonomous region. Its residents celebrate the New Year 8 hours earlier than in Moscow.)
Residents of which region of the Russian Federation celebrate the New Year later than all other Russians? (Kaliningrad region, the westernmost region of Russia. The New Year comes to them an hour later than to Moscow.)
How many times can you celebrate the New Year in Russia? (Now, in accordance with the new law "On the Calculation of Time", there are 9 time zones passing through the territory of Russia. Therefore, in Russia, the New Year can be celebrated 9 times. And more recently, there were 11 time zones, and therefore the number of New Year's meetings in our country decreased by 2.)
What gymnastic trick does the Earth perform by the time of the next New Year? (Reverse.)
At what beat of the Kremlin Chimes does the New Year begin in our country?
(According to the rules of the exact time service, a new hour comes with the last sound signal, including the last strike of the clock.)
Who were the first people on Earth to celebrate the New Year in space? (These are Russian cosmonauts Yuri Romanenko and Georgy Grechko, in orbit of the Salyut-6 station on January 1, 1978.)
For Americans, he is a saint; for the French, he is a father figure. And who is he to us, the Russians?
(In America, Santa Claus brings gifts to Americans, Per Noel - Father Christmas - to the French deputy, and Grandfather Frost distributes gifts to little Russians.)
What ancient Belarusian forest is considered the birthplace of Santa Claus? ( Belovezhskaya Pushcha)
In what month does our Santa Claus celebrate his birthday? (In November, more precisely - on November 18. What is the age of the winter wizard is not known for certain, but it is for sure that it is more than 2000 years old. The children themselves came up with the date of birth of Santa Claus, since it was on November 18 that on his estate - in Veliky Ustyug - the real winter, and frost strikes.)
In what region of the Russian Federation is Veliky Ustyug, the patrimony of Father Frost?
(In the Vologda region. Veliky Ustyug is one of the oldest cities in the Russian North. It was officially named the birthplace of Father Frost in 1999.)
When did the Russian Grandfather Frost have a granddaughter Snegurochka? (Recently, she was invented by the Russian playwright A.N. Ostrovsky, who in 1873 wrote a play in verse - the poetic "spring tale" "The Snow Maiden".)
What Russian city is the historical homeland of the Snow Maiden?
(Kostroma. In Kostroma, the Snow Maiden has both a tower and a living room, where she cordially receives and entertains her guests of any age.)
When did the song “Yolochka” (“A Christmas tree was born in the forest ...”) appeared, which is sung by all children and adults in our country at the New Year holidays?
(For the first time, the poem "Yolochka" was published in 1903 in the children's magazine "Malyutka" with a two-letter pseudonym. Composer L.K. Beckman wrote music for the poems. Only in 1941 was the real author of the words established - Raisa Adamovna Kudasheva, Russian writer.)
What beauty dresses up once a year?
(Christmas tree.)
Which country is the historical homeland of the Christmas tree, and then the New Year tree? (Germany.)
Name the children's storyteller who invented the Planet of Christmas Trees.
(Gianni Rodari.)
What is the name of the Russian old, but ageless dance at the New Year tree? (Round dance.)
Name the performer of the lullaby for the Christmas tree. (Snowstorm.)
What is the name of the New Year's two-faced ball? (Masquerade, carnival.)
New Year's drink for risky people is ... What? (Champagne.)
What is the name of the most peaceful New Year's warhead? (Clapperboard.)
What do New Year's crackers start with?
(Confetti.)
Not only a winding road in the mountains, but also a Christmas tree decoration. What's this?
(serpentine.)
What was the name of the village in which amazing events took place on Christmas night, which N.V. told us about? Gogol? (Dikanka.)
What were the names of the boys from the story of Arkady Gaidar, who came to their father in the distant taiga to celebrate the New Year with a geological expedition? (Chuk and Gek.)
From which film by Eldar Ryazanov did the catchphrase fly out: “There is a setting to have fun celebrating the New Year”? ("Carnival Night".)
Name our most New Year's film, showing which on the eve of the New Year has become a real Russian tradition, which has been around for more than 30 years.
(“The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath”, directed by Eldar Ryazanov, 1976. They joke, in order to tactfully find out the age of a woman, you need to ask her how many times she watched this film on New Year's Eve. The number of views will equal her age.)
But Santa Claus harnesses not deer, but deer to the Christmas sleigh! What proves the truth of such a statement? (The presence of horns. After all, male deer take off their antlers in the fall.)
Why is it impossible to return existing debts on New Year's Eve?
(In order not to do this all year later. You need to return all monetary debts in advance, but it is not recommended to take on old debts on the New Year.)
In Greece, on New Year's Eve, guests put a stone on the host's doorstep, wishing him that this thing always weighs no less. What is this thing? (Wallet.)
What is customary to wash for the New Year in Hungary in order to be provided with all year round?
(Literally money!)
Why in Hungary new year's eve no ducks, no chickens, no geese are served on the table?
(So that “happiness does not fly away from home.”)
Why, on the evening of December 31, do Italians only walk strictly in the middle of the pavement?
(They are afraid to walk along the edges of the pavement for safety reasons, as the Italians on New Year's Eve throw old trash and furniture out of the windows.)
In Germany, these seasonal workers must be at least 180 cm tall, with a bass and a beard. They are given uniforms free of charge. What color is she? (Red, it's Santa Clauses.)
In which country during the New Year's street processions - the most exciting part of the holiday - thousands of lanterns are lit to light the way to the New Year? (In China.)
Which island state has such a custom: before the New Year, people fill all the dishes with water, and at the moment when the clock strikes twelve times, they make a real flood, at the same time pouring water out of the windows, wishing themselves that in the coming year life would be the same bright and clear like water? (At Cuba.)
What month is Eastern New Year? lunar calendar? (In February.)
* * * * * *
In what month in the history of Russia was the New Year NOT celebrated?
A. Mart. V. September.
B. January. G. November.
(The ancient Slavs celebrated the New Year on March 1 with the onset of heat and the beginning of field work. In 1492, the beginning of the year in Russia was officially postponed to September 1. Since 1699, the New Year began to be celebrated on January 1.)
When was the New Year celebrated in pre-Petrine Russia of the 18th century?
A. January 1st. B. March 1st.
B. June 1st. G. 1 September.
How affectionately called Santa Claus in some Russian fairy tales?
A. Freezer. V. Morozko.
B. Morozets. G. Kholodets.
What is the name of Santa Claus' magic wand?
A. Scepter. V. Wand.
B. Staff. G. Mace.
What headdress does our Russian Santa Claus wear?
A. Kolpak. B. Boyar hat.
B. Chalma. G. Pot.
(And Santa Claus walks in a red cap.)
Where does Santa Claus get gifts for Russian kids on New Year's Eve?
A. From the chest. B. From the bag.
B. From the safe. G. From a sock.
What is the name of the tale of V.F. Odoevsky?
A. "Moroz Ivanovich". V. "Kholod Petrovich".
B. "Kolotun Nikolaevich". G. "Stuzha Semyonovna".
What fairy tale did G.Kh. Andersen?
A. "Spruce". V. "Pine".
B. "Fir". G. "Kedr".
What is the name of the place where Christmas trees are sold?
A. Green market. V. Christmas tree market.
B. Green auction. G. Coniferous supermarket.
Which Kremlin tower appears on TV screens on New Year's Eve?
A. Borovitskaya. V. Nikolskaya.
B. Spasskaya. G. Kutafya.
What item does every Japanese consider it his duty to acquire in order to rake in new happiness in the coming year?
A. A shovel. V. Fishing net.
B. Bamboo rake. G. A straw basket.
Under the guise of a representative of which of the professions is the Mongolian Santa Claus on New Year's Eve?
A. Cook. V. Shepherd.
B. Steelworker. G. Cosmonaut.
What time of year is New Year's Eve in Australia?
A. Summer. V. Autumn.
B. Winter. G. Spring.
NEW YEAR QUIZ
1. The most important grandfather at the New Year's holiday. (Freezing.)
2. Nickname of Santa Claus. (Red nose.)
3. The city where the residence of Father Frost in Russia is located. (Great Ustyug.)
4. Rod of Santa Claus. (Staff.)
5. Santa Claus gift store. (Bag.)
6. Granddaughter of Santa Claus. (Snow Maiden.)
7. Part of the world where the custom to celebrate the New Year at the Christmas tree arose. (Europe.)
8. Mandatory attribute of the New Year holiday. (Christmas tree.)
9. Giving the Christmas tree a New Year's look. (Decoration.)
10. Place for the New Year's sale of Christmas trees and Christmas tree decorations. (Bazaar.)
11. Threads of lanterns on the Christmas tree. (Garland.)
12. They are lit both on the Christmas tree and on the festive table. (Candles.)
13. Shiny Christmas ribbon. (Tinsel.)
14. A long narrow ribbon of colored paper that is thrown at each other on New Year's Eve. (serpentine.)
15. Substitute for snow on the Christmas tree. (Vata.)
16. Multi-colored paper circles, which are showered on each other at the New Year's holiday. (Confetti.)
17. Colored decorative lights flying into the air. (Fireworks.)
18. Close people with whom they most often celebrate the New Year. (Relatives.)
19. Time of day when the New Year is celebrated. (Night.)
20. A chain of children and adults holding hands, who walk around the Christmas tree with songs. (Round dance.)
21. A cold sweet treat that looks like snow. (Ice cream.)
22. The last day of December in relation to the New Year. (Eve.)
23. A branch of a Christmas tree. (Paw.)
24. It is customary to give them for the New Year. (Presents.)
25. A toy that, when torn apart by impact, makes a sharp sound and throws out confetti. (Clapperboard.)
26. Costume ball on New Year's Eve. (Masquerade.)
In which country of the world is a New Year's grandfather called Pere Noel? (France)
And in what country is New Year's grandfather called Toshigami? (Japan)
Which country has a tradition of naming the New Year's old man Yolupukki? (Finland)
Which of the Russian cities is considered the birthplace of the Snow Maiden? (Kostroma)
Where is it customary to decorate with bamboo for the New Year? (In Vietnam)
Which country in the world has a tradition of decorating the New Year holiday with holly twigs? (USA)
In this country, instead of a Christmas tree, a tangerine tree is brought into the house for the new year. (China)
Where on New Year's Eve they dance around a house made of palm leaves instead of a Christmas tree? (In Ghana)
New Year's quiz for grades 1 and 2
1. Which New Year's grandfather has a long red fur coat, a boyar hat, a broad white beard and a long staff in his hands and a very kind smile?
2. This Santa Claus has a white beard, a red hat with a pom-pom, bright swimming trunks on a tanned body, sunglasses and a surfboard. Where is he from?
3. In this country, the New Year coincides with the festival of cattle breeding. Santa Claus comes to the children in the clothes of a cattle breeder, with a fox hat on his head, a long whip in his hands, a flint and a snuff box on his side. What country are we talking about?
4. From which movie is this catchphrase: “There is a setting to celebrate the New Year cheerfully”?
5. Which city is declared the geographical homeland of the Russian Father Frost?
6. In what country does the local Santa Claus Bobbo Natale distribute gifts, but the Befana fairy with a red cap and crystal shoes?
7. In what country does Santa Claus have such a funny name - Joulupukki?
8. What is the name of the Spanish Santa Claus?
* * * * * *
Now let's change the problem a bit. You will need to choose the correct answer from the three given.
9. In what country is the New Year's grandfather called Baba Zhara?
1) In Panama; 2) in Cambodia; 3) in Sudan.
10. In which country do residents make a New Year's greeting bouquet from pine, bamboo, plum, woven into rice straws with the addition of fern and tangerine branches?
1) In China; 2) in Japan; 3) in Thailand.
11. In which country, before the New Year's holiday, houses are decorated with branches of a coffee tree?
1) In Nicaragua; 2) in Brazil; 3) in Kenya.
12. In what country is the New Year celebrated at the palm tree?
1) In Cuba; 2) in Nepal; 3) in Saudi Arabia.
13. In which country is a red-flowered metrosideros tree used instead of a Christmas tree?
1) in Ghana; 2) in Australia; 3) in Singapore.
14. Where on New Year's Eve are bamboo shoots thrown into the hearth to scare away evil spirits with crackling and hissing?
1) In Korea; 2) in Japan; 3) in China.
New Year's quiz for grades 3 and 4
1. What was the first Christmas tree in France in 1600 decorated with? This year is the first mention of the New Year tree in literature.
2. What are the trees in the Philippines made of? What dish in Holland is served only for the New Year's table?
3. In Japan, on New Year's Eve, branches of two plants are tied at the door - a symbol of fidelity and longevity. One of them is pine, and the other?
4. In which country (in the city of Payakylä) is there a Santa Claus post office?
5. In Bulgaria, it is customary to bake coins and …
6. What must be sewn for the New Year in Korea?
7. What man, today a rare profession, is considered a symbol of happiness in Austria?
8. The heroine of which play by Ostrovsky would be very useful to us here at the New Year's Eve?
9. In 1638, gilded and silver-plated toys appeared on Christmas tree branches. Which?
10. In which country was the day when the first snow falls the beginning of the new year?
11. What do they break in Sweden for the New Year?
12. What is the name of Santa Claus in Italy?
13. What do the inhabitants of Hungary use to drive away evil spirits before the New Year?
14. What do Japanese children draw and put under their pillows on New Year's Eve?
15. Cubans on New Year's Eve fill all the dishes with water. What do they do with this water?
16. What is strictly forbidden to do in China on the first days of the New Year
17. In which country is it customary to joke on New Year's Eve, like we do on April 1?
18. Why is it not worth standing under the windows on New Year's Eve in Panama?
19. Why do the Scots bring a piece of coal to visit on New Year's Eve?
20. What was the name of the boy with the heart of ice?
21. The hero of what fairy tale fought with the Mouse King on the eve of the New Year?
22. In which Russian city does Santa Claus live?
23. Who was the first in the world to establish the custom of celebrating the New Year?
24. The tree lives the longest in one of the cities in the US state of Indiana. What's the name of this town?
25. In Australia, Santa Claus does not come on a sleigh, but on what?
26. The inhabitants of which island are the first to celebrate the New Year on our planet?
Simple winter quiz
1. How many rays does a snowflake have? (Six.)
2. When is the best time to harvest firewood: summer or winter? (In winter, as the sap flow stops and the wood is dry.)
3. Why do snow patterns appear on the inside of window panes in winter? (In winter, the air near the window panes is very cold and part of the water vapor from it settles on the cold glass in the form of ice crystals. Then these crystals begin to branch and grow, “drawing” frosty patterns on the glass.)
4. Where is it colder - at the North or South Pole? (At the South Pole.)
5. Why don't rivers freeze to the bottom even in severe frosts in winter? (Water at a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius has the highest density and is located at the bottom of the river. For this reason, the movement of water in the vertical direction stops and its further cooling does not occur.)
6. On your mitten you saw two snowflakes of different shapes. One is simpler, and the other is the form of a complex openwork pattern. Is it possible for appearance of these snowflakes to determine which of them fell from a greater, and which - from a lower height? (Yes. The more complex the shape of the snowflake, the greater the height it fell, since its whirling in the air was accompanied by a process of crystallization - the addition of new moisture particles to it, which provided additional sophistication of its shape.)
7. Why are second frames inserted for the winter? (The still air enclosed between the two frames, being a poor conductor of heat, prevents the room from drying out in winter.)
8. Why does the temperature usually rise during snowfall? (This is because when snow forms, heat is released from water droplets or water vapor.)
9. Do trees grow in winter? (No, their growth stops in winter.)
10. When do sounds travel faster: in winter or summer? (Sound travels faster in summer than in winter because the air is denser in winter and therefore the speed of sound is slower.)
Spruce quiz
1. What beauty dresses up once a year? (Christmas tree.)
2. Which country is considered the historical homeland of the Christmas tree, and then the New Year tree? (Germany.)
3. When was the Christmas tree born according to the biological passport? (Coniferous trees, including spruce, are of ancient origin. They replaced fern-like plants at the beginning of the Mesozoic. It may very well be that the distant ancestors of our Christmas tree were contemporaries of giant dinosaurs. )
4. How the Christmas tree was decorated during the childhood of A.S. Pushkin? (The Christmas tree in Russia began to be used as a New Year tree from the middle of the 19th century; the future poet did not have a Christmas tree in his childhood. )
5. Who wrote the story "The Boy at Christ's Tree"? (F.M. Dostoevsky. )
6. How many years does a spruce live if it escapes the fate of becoming a New Year's tree? (Spruce lives 300-400 years. Long-lived Christmas trees can live up to 500 years. )
7. Who is the author of the New Year's "Herringbone", which tells about how the Christmas tree was decorated in the forest? (V. Odoevsky.)
8. In what popular cartoon was it told how a peasant, rightly judging: “How can it be on New Year’s without a Christmas tree!”, Went to the forest to choose her at the behest of his wife, only it seemed to him that “the size would be too small”? (Cartoon by A. Tatarenko "Last year's snow was falling", 1983 )
9. What popular song refers to the unusual style of Christmas tree dress, literally about "Christmas trees in triangular dresses"? ("Three White Horses", a song from the movie "Magicians". )
10. Name the children's storyteller who invented the Planet of Christmas Trees. (Gianni Rodari.)
11. Name the author of the lines:
It was in January
There was a tree on the mountain
And near this tree
The bad wolves roamed. (A.L. Barto)
12. What does the phraseological unit "fir-trees-sticks" mean? (This expression means annoyance, bewilderment, admiration. )
Quiz "Happy New Year!"
1. On the calendar last month outgoing year - December. Its name comes from the Greek word "deca", which means "ten". However, in the calendar it is the twelfth in a row. How can this discrepancy be explained? (This tradition goes back to the ancient Roman calendar, according to which (before Julius Caesar) March 1 was considered the beginning of the year. According to this reference system, December was the tenth month of the year. )
2. From what literary work are these words: Twelve struck! ran out year and new managed to be born! (N. A. Nekrasov. Russian women. )
3. In pre-Petrine Russia, apples were the traditional New Year's treat of the festive feast. Why? (Before the calendar reform of Peter I, the New Year was celebrated on September 1 - at the time when apples were picked.)
4. Which of the ancient peoples celebrated the New Year on January 1? (Romans.)
5. Why was December 31, during the time of Peter I, popularly called "generous evening" and Vasiliev's evening? (New Year's Eve was called "generous" because a rich table was laid, at which everyone who came with a wish for a generous year was treated. The same day was celebrated as the day of memory of St. Basil. )
6 . In which country can you celebrate the New Year the largest number once? (In India. Here the New Year comes depending on the customs of different states. If you really try, in this country you can celebrate the New Year more than 30 times. )
7. Name the Russian writer, author of the work "New Year". (I.A. Bunin.)
8 . The inhabitants of which island do not wait for the New Year, but are actively looking for it? (On Easter Island, it is believed that the New Year brings a swallow egg. The one from the inhabitants of the island, who first finds it, solemnly announces: "The New Year has come!" )
9. What serial number was assigned to the release of the animated series "Well, you wait!" with a story about the meeting of the New Year? (Eighth.)
10. In Japan, the arrival of the New Year is announced by 108 strokes of the bell, in Russia the Kremlin chimes beat off New Year's midnight, and in the UK? (London clock Wig Ben. )
11. From which movie is this catchphrase: “There is a setting to celebrate the New Year cheerfully”? ("Carnival Night" .)
Quiz "And if there is no Christmas tree?"
In some countries, due to the hot climate, for lack of coniferous forests or, due to national traditions, the New Year's tree (or rather, a plant) is not at all the green prickly beauties of the Christmas tree.
Let's clarify how people from different countries decorate their houses before the New Year holidays.
Since questions on this exotic topic require special knowledge, we will introduce hints for respondents with three possible answers - participants need to choose the correct one. Each of them has the same amount of conditional game units, for example, 5 spruce cones, or more simply - “shisha”. The host of the competition asks a question, offering to choose the correct answer. Before entering into an active game, the participant assigns a “price” to the question, not exceeding the amount available on his personal account. Further, he can give the answer himself and, if successful, increase his account by the amount of the cost of the question assigned by him or transfer the question to another participant. In any case, only one of the answers will be accepted. If the player to whom the question was passed answered correctly, the "cost" of the question goes to his account, and the score of the previous participant remains unchanged. If the answer is erroneous, then both players lose their game “shishi”. The next question of the presenter is answered by a guest sitting at the festive table to the left (right) of the participant who answered the previous question.
I.Residents of which country make a New Year's greeting bouquet to the deity of the holiday mainly from pine, bamboo, plum, woven rice straws with the addition of fern and tangerine branches?
1. China. 2. Japan. 3. Thailand.
II.In which country before the New Year holiday do homes are decorated with branches of a coffee tree?
1. Nicaragua. 2. Brazil. 3. Kenya.
III.In which country is an unripe, green walnut considered a New Year's talisman of happiness?
I. Indonesia. 2. Sudan. 3. Argentina.
IV. In which country is the New Year celebrated at the palm tree?
1. Cuba. 2. Nepal. 3. Saudi Arabia.
v.In what country is it customary to decorate houses on New Year's Eve with mistletoe?
1. Norway. 2. Canada. 3. South Africa.
VI.In what country are the branches of holly and mistletoe the equivalent of a Christmas tree?
1. Argentina. 2. Mexico. 3. England.
VII.In which country is the spruce we are used to replaced by a local tree that blooms with red flowers and is called metrosideros?
1. Ghana. 2. Australia. 3. Singapore.
VIII.In which country on New Year's Eve are bamboo shoots thrown into the hearth so that they, crackling and hissing, scare away evil spirits?
1. Korea. 2. Japan. 3. China.
IX.In which country on New Year's Eve is it customary to give friends a half-blown twig of hao-dao - a peach tree?
1. Vietnam. 2. New Zealand. 3. India.
x.In which country is padauk considered a New Year's flower, the short-term flowering of which means the onset of the New Year?
1. Cambodia. 2. Myanmar. 3. Indonesia.
Quiz "What's his name?"
Place three digital signs (from 1 to 3) in different places of your guest room on the drawings of a green Christmas tree, Santa Claus and Snow Maiden, hung far from each other (as far as the dimensions of the apartment allow). Then the host of the evening asks questions about Santa Claus, while naming three possible answers. Cheerful music sounds. During its sounding, participants must make a choice and take a place under the picture indicating the number of the answer, “correct” from the point of view of the participant.
All those who made the wrong choice are eliminated from the "races", and those who answered correctly guess the answer to the next question and also receive one of the sweet toys that decorate a small artificial Christmas tree - the keeper of the prize fund.
I.
In what country is the New Year's grandfather's name Lana Pasquale?
1. Mexico. 2.Colombia
. 3. Uruguay.
II.
In what country is the New Year's grandfather called Ded Zhara?
1. Panama. 2.Cambodia
. 3. Sudan.
III.
In what country is New Year's grandfather's name Tash Noel?
1.
Spain
. 2. Czech Republic. 3. Finland.
IV.
In what country is the grandfather's name Santa Claus?
1. Scotland. 2. Ireland. 3.England
v.
In what country is the New Year's grandfather called Mikulash?
1. Poland. 2.Czech
. 3. Hungary.
VI.
In what country is the New Year's grandfather called Mosh Jarile?
1. India. 2. Pakistan. 3.Romania
.
VII.
In what country is the name of the New Year's grandfather Weinakhteman?
I.Austria
. 2. Israel. 3. Turkey.
VIII.
In what country is the New Year's grandfather called St. Basil?
1.
Greece
. 2. Bulgaria. 3. The Netherlands.
IX.
In what country is New Year's grandfather's name Bobbo Natale?
1. France. 2. Spain. 3.Italy
.
If there are more questions than there are participants in the quiz, then the “races” begin anew for everyone. The number of questions can be increased due to the "oldies" in other countries:
in Germany - Miko-laus;
in Cuba - Baltasar, Gaspar, Melchor;
in France, Pere Noel;
in Finland - Joulupuk-ki;
in Denmark - Ulemanden;
in Japan - Segatsu-san;
in China, Dong Che Lao Ren;
in Norway - Julebukk;
in Panama, Papaya Noel;
in the Netherlands - Sinter Klaas;
in Uzbekistan - Karbobo.
05.03.2019
Which Forest thinning before the new year?
(New Year's Christmas tree .)
Christmas tree?
(Glass blowers.)
Which country is considered the historical homeland of the Christmas, and then the New Year Christmas trees?
(Germany.)
When was born herringbone according to the biological passport?
(Coniferous trees are of ancient origin. They replaced fern-like plants at the beginning of the Mesozoic. It may very well be that the distant ancestors of our Christmas tree were contemporaries of giant dinosaurs.)
How many years does he live spruce if it escapes the fate of becoming a New Year's tree?
(Spruce lives 300-400 years. Long-lived Christmas trees can live up to 500 years.)
To which family do they belong Christmas trees?
(To the family pine. )
At what age do ate bumps appear?
(At 35 - 40 years old.)
Can spruce to predict the weather?
ate is approximately 2 km, and one tree pines- six times more. What conclusion can be drawn about the conditions of existence of these trees?
(Pine grows in drier soils than spruce .)
Why pines ate No?
(Pine - photophilous plant.
What wood were ship masts made of?
(From pines. )
What can be obtained from needles pines?
Pine can be planted to strengthen the sands, and spruce no. Why?
(U pines roots go deep into the soil ate
How to distinguish a cedar branch pines from the branch pines ordinary?
(In a pine tree, the needles are arranged two in a bunch, and in a cedar tree - five each.)
In which forest is darker - in spruce or pine?
(In the spruce.)
Which coniferous
(Spruce . Pianos, balalaikas, guitars are made from spruce.)
What kind of wood coniferous does the tree sink in water?
(Larch .)
The wood of what our coniferous wood does not collapse under the action of water and air and is stored for millennia?
(Larches . Its wood is used for underwater structures, in shipbuilding, etc.)
From what coniferous wood made the internal details of the buildings of the Moscow Kremlin, the wood of this tree does not rot?
(Larch. )
Which coniferous cedar?
(Pine u.)
From the seeds of which Eurasian pines get oil?
how many pine
(380 pieces. Cedar - 2 pieces, spruce - 30 pieces. And squirrels do not really like pine cones, they are very resinous.)
In the old days in Russia, beer was brewed, using young shoots of this beer instead of hops. coniferous tree. What?
(Pines .)
What plant is called "grape" coniferous forests"?
(Juniper.)
coniferous- poisonous?
(Yew berry.)
Name the "pencil" tree.
(Cedar. )
Which coniferous the tree almost does not burn and “loves” fires?
(Sequoia evergreen, cultivated in the south of Russia.)
The scientific name of this prized landscape designer ate – spruce Engelman. And by what “color” name do we know it?
(Blue spruce .)
A forest of aspens is called aspen forest, of oaks - oak forest. What are coniferous forests called? oil? Pines? Cedar trees? fir?
(Spruce forest, pine forest, cedar forest or cedar forest, fir forest.)
Ryzhik willingly grow under Christmas trees and pines. Spruce mushrooms grow in spruce forests, but what is another name for pine mushrooms?
(Upland mushroom.)
What forest bird that lives in the Siberian taiga can remember the location of almost six thousand of its storerooms, in which it hid its supplies for the winter?
(This is smart cedar ovka hiding cedar cones in pantries. Her visual memory is larger than a human's.
Which plant is not coniferous: cypress or eucalyptus?
(Eucalyptus.)
What kind coniferous
(Sequoia.)
What valuable ornamental stone is fossil resin coniferous trees?
(Amber.)
Wand of which ancient god was crowned spruce bump?
(Dionysus, or Bacchus.)
pines?
(Winner of the Isthmian Games.)
What wood was Jupiter's scepter made from? Trojan horse? Arrows of Cupid?
(Scepter from cypress , a horse from ate , arrows from cedar .)
The coat of arms of which Russian city is decorated with a cannon and three Christmas trees?
(Yelnya . Smolensk region, on the Desna River.)
Not only coniferous tree, but also a tributary of the Don.
(Pine .)
Not only pine
(Bor.)
What tree is depicted on the coat of arms of the city located in the Lipetsk region on the banks of the river Pines?
(Spruce - the city of Yelets.)
The name of which European country comes from the word "molid" - " Pine»?
(Moldova, Moldova.)
How often is a branch called coniferous tree: paw, flipper or claw?
(Paw.)
The name of which animal in English combines the words "pig" and " Pine»?
(Porcupine -porcupine. He resembles a pig by the habit of digging in the ground and grunting when grazing. Well, pine, of course, - with needles.)
The name of which fruit in English consists of two words in one - “ Pine' and 'apple'?
(Pineapple - pineapple, pine - pine, apple - apple.)
(Pine .)
Not only a drill in the dentist's car, but also pine Forest.
(Bor.)
Name the chemical element "name" coniferous forests.
(Bor.)
Which road sign is coniferous tree?
What do the fighter boy and pines?
(Bumps.)
What, regardless of the seeds thrown, grows in any furrow?
(Pinery - boron cool.)
Say in one word the phrase "One pine forest”, if this word is the surname of a Russian composer.
(Bor -one - Borodin.)
How they dressed up Christmas tree
(The Christmas tree in Russia began to be used as a New Year tree from the middleXIXcentury, the future poet did not have a Christmas tree in his childhood.)
Who wrote the story "The Boy at Christ's Christmas tree»?
(F.M. Dostoevsky.)
(V. Odoevsky.)
What fairy tale did G.Kh. Andersen: "Spruce", "Pine" or "Fir"?
(« Spruce ».)
About what tree did Mikhail Lermontov write "In the wild North it stands alone"?
(Pine .)
Name the children's storyteller who invented the New Year's Planet yolo To.
(Gianni Rodari.)
It was in January
stood Christmas tree on the mountain,
And next to this Christmas trees
The bad wolves roamed.
(A. Barto.)
In 1903, the Russian writer Raisa Adamovna Kudasheva wrote the poem " Christmas tree". Quote the first two lines, known to absolutely everyone.
(“I was born in the forest herringbone …»)
that wooden man was carved from Italian pines, hence the name. Which?
(Pinocchio. Pinia - Italian Pine , a coniferous tree with an umbrella-shaped crown.)
"In Italian pine cones - prickly and heavy, the size of a small melon. To fix such a bump on the head - so oh-oh! From whom did Pinocchio fight off with such cones?
(From Karabas Barabas.)
Which ballet begins with a scene at the Christmas Christmas trees: "Cinderella" or "The Nutcracker"?
("Nutcracker".)
Fill in the missing word in the Russian proverb: "Far Pine stands, but to his ... makes noise.
(boro.)
How do they talk about someone who cannot find a way out in a simple, uncomplicated life situation?
(At three pines got lost.)
how many pines
(“On the Murom path stood three pines , dear, said goodbye to me until next spring.")
What in the song from the cartoon "The Bremen Town Musicians" did the characters call their walls?
(Pines -giants. “Our walls are giant pines…”).
In the 19th century, the Moscow mayor issued a decree in which he fixed the phrase recommended for coachmen to replace scolding in the presence of ladies. We also use this phrase with success. What phrase did he recommend?
(« Christmas trees - sticks.)
What does phraseologism mean now? Christmas trees-sticks?
(This expression means annoyance, bewilderment, admiration.)
Which coniferous did the tree give the name to the method of skiing up the slope?
(Spruce - "herringbone".)
What trees are depicted in Shishkin's painting "Ship Grove"?
(Pines .)
Morning in which forest did Shishkin depict on his famous canvas?
("Morning in pine forest.")
What trees are depicted in Ivan Shishkin's painting "Rye"?
(Pines .)
What is the name of the place where New Year's trees: green market, Christmas tree bazaar or coniferous supermarket?
(Christmas tree bazaar.)
In this note we will talk about the origin of the European custom decorate the christmas tree and about how the features of this tradition changed at different stages of history. It will be mainly about traditions of Germany and France and, in particular, about the Alsatian and Lorraine regions, since it is the capital of Central Alsace that the city is considered the “official homeland” of the New Year tree, and neighboring Lorraine gave the world such a popular Christmas decoration as a glass ball.
Christmas or New Year tree- this is an image that combines numerous fairy tales, legends, childhood memories and for most people symbolizes a joyful moment when everyone, small and adults, get together to celebrate Christmas or New Year in a cozy atmosphere. We have a need, even in the most severe winter, to hope for renewal and light, and the origins of this need go back to the mists of time.
As an evergreen tree, the Christmas tree has always had a magical attraction for both pagans and Christians, being an object of desire, the embodiment of warm holidays and meetings with relatives and friends. The traditions of decorating the Christmas tree have changed in the course of European history and today are of interest as a kind of cultural monument, as a reflection of our past.
Ancient Origins of Christmas Traditions
The tradition of veneration and ritual use of trees is found among European peoples already in antiquity. The tree was considered among the ancient peoples of Europe as a symbol of life and was often decorated with fruits, flowers, cereals. Thus, the Celts deified trees and believed that spirits inhabited them. And, for example, the Romans on the day winter solstice decorated their houses with branches of evergreen trees in honor of the god Janus.
Like many other pagan traditions, this custom was subsequently adopted by Christians, who only replaced the branches with whole freshly cut trees. In addition, the popularity of the “Christmas tree” among Christians was facilitated by medieval Christmas mysteries, one of which was dedicated to the story of Adam and Eve, and, as a rule, a spruce decorated with red apples was used to depict the paradise tree.
The Legend of Saint Boniface and the Christmas Tree
According to some reports, the custom of setting up a decorated Christmas tree for Christmas originated in Germany. The "inventor" of the Christmas tree is considered Saint Boniface(675-754) - English bishop who was engaged in missionary work in Germany, preaching the Christian faith. According to legend, once in a certain Bavarian village, Boniface met a pagan tribe worshiping the sacred oak of the god Thor (according to another version, Odin). To prove to the pagans the impotence of their gods, the saint cut down this oak, and, to the surprise of the Germans, no powerful spirits appeared from the felled tree to punish Boniface for his deed. Impressed by what they saw, many pagans converted to Christianity.
This legend has the following continuation: before the eyes of the astonished pagans, a young Christmas tree grew in place of the felled oak (in fact, this part of the legend does not find confirmation in the life of the saint and is considered a later attempt to Christianize the pagan tradition). Boniface explained to the pagans that the evergreen tree is a symbol of Christ and the strengthening of the Catholic faith, while the fallen oak marks the end of paganism. The next year, all the pagans in the area were already Christians and happily decorated the grown Christmas tree, celebrating the Christmas holiday, previously unknown to them.
According to another version, with the help of coniferous trees, the crowns of which have a triangular shape, St. Boniface tried to convey to the pagans the idea of the Trinity.
Christmas tree of the 16th century: Christian symbolism
For Christmas celebrations in the 16th century, Europeans began to increasingly use instead of branches - common, as already mentioned, in the pagan tradition - whole young trees. Moreover, it was immediately recognized as the most suitable for this purpose. coniferous trees, because even at the beginning of winter they remain green and serve as the embodiment of hope for new life, on the renewal of nature.
The earliest documentary evidence preserved in the humanist library tells that to decorate Christmas trees - which were called by the old German word Meyen- used at that time apples. These are fragrant and crispy. red apples to this day are known in Germany and Alsace under the name Christkindel Apfel("Christmas apples"). In Alsace, it is customary to collect them in October and store them until December-February.
The decoration of Christmas trees at that time was most often of an official nature, since these trees were mainly installed in the squares in front of churches, as well as in front of the town hall and workshop buildings. The outfit of the green beauty consisted of two symbolic elements: first of all apples, which reminded of the original sin of Adam and Eve, and secondly, host, or host (oublie), which served as an indication of the atonement of sins through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In the lyceum chapel of the Alsatian city of Ageno (Hagenau) ( Haguenau) a fresco of the 15th century has been preserved, in which this symbolism is visually embodied in the form of a tree, the crown of which is clearly divided vertically into two zones: on one side, apples hang on the tree, and on the other, wafers.
After Christmas trees began to appear in ordinary homes, the tree was first adopted hang to the ceiling beam, as previously done with "pagan" branches. After some time, the spruce began to be placed in a small tub filled with sand and gravel.
What kind Christmas decorations were the most common during that period, besides, of course, the aforementioned apples and wafers? Since the beginning of the 16th century, a Christmas decoration called Zischgold, which was made of thin metal plates or gilded strips, which gave the festive decoration of the Christmas tree even more shine.
Another similar type of Christmas decorations is lametta- gimp, or "rain", which in France is commonly called "angel hair" ( Cheveux d'ange). According to some reports, as early as the 15th century, Lyon craftsmen were making these brilliant Christmas decorations.
Celeste - home of the Christmas tree?
Though christmas tree tradition, probably existed in Germany and Alsace from about the 12th century, the first written mention of the "Christmas tree" ( Meyen) in this region date back to 1521. This refers to the record of December 21, 1521, preserved in humanistic library ( Bibliotheque Humaniste) - Alsatian city located between and. However, in those days, Celeste did not yet belong to France and was called in the German manner: Schlettstadt.
This historical entry in the account book reads: Item IIII schillinge dem foerster die meyen an sanct Thomas tag zu hieten"("4 shillings - to the forester for the protection of the fir trees from the day of St. Thomas" (December 21)). Having studied this fragment of the city archives, historians have concluded that it was in Alsace that the custom was born to decorate houses - first of all, of course, the houses of wealthy citizens - for Christmas with Christmas trees. As you can see, the authorities of Celeste were forced to spend money to ensure the protection of the forest from looting by local residents who sought to get the coveted Christmas tree.
Several other, later, archival records have also been preserved: for example, a record from 1546 tells that two workers were instructed to make a road into the forest so that it would be easier to get close to the fir trees and cut down the required number of trees. Another record shows that in 1555 the city authorities, trying to avoid abuses, introduced a ban on cutting down fir trees. Finally, a description was preserved, compiled in 1600 by Balthasar Bek, cupbearer of the city hall ( Balthazar Beck) (1580-1641) and dedicated to how the Christmas tree should be decorated and what were the other customs of that time associated with the celebration of Christmas in the main hall ( Herrenstube) of the town hall of Celeste (then still Schlettstadt).
In particular, Beck mentions that apples and wafers were used to decorate the Christmas tree. He also describes the custom of inviting the children of city council members, the councilors themselves, and other municipal workers who were allowed to "shake" the tree and eat all the delicacies that decorated it. Celeste was soon joined by other Alsatian towns. So, in 1539, a Christmas tree was installed in Cathedral Strasbourg.
In fact, the right to be called " home of the Christmas tree contested by several other European cities. For example, a brief documentary evidence has been preserved that on the Christmas holiday on December 24, 1510 in Riga(Latvia) traders danced around a tree decorated with artificial roses before burning it (a clear echo of pagan traditions). There were also malicious Estonians who claim that the first Christmas tree was installed in Tallinn in 1441.
The debate over where the Christmas tree first appeared has not subsided to this day. sticks to his version, and Church of St. George in December, an annual exhibition dedicated to christmas tree stories. In addition, every December, the Celeste Humanist Library exhibits the same archival document of 1521, which, it is argued, proves that the Alsatian city was born the custom of decorating houses for Christmas with trees.
In any case, apparently, it was here that this custom was documented for the first time in history.
Late 16th - 17th century: Protestant tradition of decorating the Christmas tree
In the 16th century, the tradition of setting up a decorated Christmas tree for Christmas was firmly rooted in Germany, Austria, Alsace and Lorraine. Moreover, supporters reformation this custom was supported in every possible way, emphasizing the symbolism of spruce as the Paradise Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil.
V late XVI century, under the influence of Protestant circles and the urban bourgeoisie, the custom of giving gifts on the occasion of the end of the year moved from St. Nicholas (December 6) on December 24. Since that time, the Christmas tree has always been at the center of the celebrations: it is under it that now they began to put gifts. In addition, with the light hand of the Protestants, the main character of Christmas is not St. Nicholas (who seemed to them too pagan character), but baby jesus (Christkindel), who over time became customary to be depicted as a young girl in a veil, dressed in a white robe and a golden crown with spruce branches and candles (one of the incarnations of St. Lucy). She distributes gifts to obedient children, while the terrible beech (grandfather with rods) ( Pere Fouettard, and in the Alsatian tradition Hans Trapp), in turn, treats mischievous people not with tangerines and sweets, but with a whip.
In the second half of the 16th century, the leaders of the Reformation refused to use the nativity scenes (Christmas scenes) adopted by Catholics for the celebration of Christmas, since Protestants do not have a doctrine of veneration of images. Instead of this Protestants began to develop traditions of decorating christmas trees- after all, this attribute of Christmas, unlike nativity scenes, does not directly depict either Christ or other biblical characters. Martin Luther proposed to consider the Christmas tree as a symbol of the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden.
The symbolism of the decoration of the Christmas tree during this period remains fundamentally Christian and does not raise any objections in the Lutheran camp. Moreover, devout Protestants, focused on careful attention to texts Old Testament, strongly advocated the use of the appropriate decor of the Christmas tree. Therefore, in addition to the traditional red apples and hosts, at the end of the 16th century, multi-colored paper wrappers in the form of roses and other colors.
These flowers are an allusion to the words the prophet Isaiah about the "root of Jesse"- the tree of Jesse, or the genealogical tree of Jesus Christ ( Wed. "And a branch will come forth from the root of Jesse, and a branch will grow from its root." The symbolism of this type of jewelry indicated the origin and birth of the Savior. In addition to this, the flowers on the tree were reminiscent of the words of an old Christmas carol. Es ist ein Rosentsprungen (“A rose has grown”), written just in that era.
The following archival record in Old German belongs to 1605: “ Auff Weihnachten richtet man Dannenbäume zu Straßburg in den Stuben auf. Daran henket man Roßen auß vielfarbigem Papier geschnitten, Aepfel, Oblaten, Zischgold und Zucker“(“At Christmas, a fir tree is installed in the living room. The tree is decorated with paper roses, apples, wafers, gold leaves and sugar.”)
XVIII-XIX century: Christmas - children's holiday
During this period, the religious symbolism of the holiday begins to recede into the background. Instead of apples, a variety of round-shaped delicacies are being used to decorate Christmas trees (for example, stuffed nuts wrapped in gold or silver paper).
The place of guests is now occupied by gingerbread, sweets, waffles and traditional delirious (bredele, also bredela or bredle) - Christmas cookies made from gingerbread dough.
In Alsace, southern Germany and some parts of Switzerland, a special kind of delusions is spreading - the so-called springerle or sprangerly ( sprengerle or springerle), which are printed aniseed gingerbread, most commonly round or heart shaped. They are baked for Christmas, and this tradition has survived to this day.
In addition to the cookies themselves, special molds for baking these sweets are also sold in Alsatian cities. Ceramic relief forms, or "stamps" for creating a certain pattern on the test, can be bought in stores as a souvenir. Previously, such molds were made mainly of wood and decorated with carved scenes. Everyday life or compositions on biblical subjects. You can read more about traditional Alsatian sweets, souvenirs and folk crafts in the article “Folk crafts, customs and traditions of Alsace”.
The specific form of sweets used to decorate the Christmas tree gradually loses its significance in the 19th century and becomes more and more diverse. Since that time, the decoration of the Christmas tree and all the accompanying traditions are considered mainly the prerogative of children. Immediately after the end of the feast of the Epiphany, in early January, boys and girls are now invited to “shake” the Christmas tree and “harvest”, which little sweet teeth do with pleasure.
In the 19th century, gingerbread and delusions began to be additionally decorated with icing, and sometimes also with small colored sprinkles. On top of sugar or chocolate glaze, decorative pictures with various subjects are glued (these were chromolithographs, most often depicting angels or stars). A small wooden fence resembling a hedge is arranged around the trunk of the Christmas tree. front garden in front of a traditional peasant house. The space fenced off in this way symbolizes paradise lost due to the fall of man.
Hence the word Paradiesgartlein("Garden of Eden"), which this Christmas garden was called in Germany. As you can see, Christian symbolism is gradually gaining meaning again.
The Christmas tree comes to France and the UK
The support that the leaders of the Reformation gave to the “Christmas tree tradition” explains the rapid spread of the Christmas tree throughout Protestant regions Northern Europe, including Germany and Scandinavian countries. Do not forget that Alsace at that time was part of German world, as well as the neighboring duchies of Lorraine and Austria. All this time, during the 17th and 18th centuries, the tradition of putting a Christmas tree in houses at Christmas was developed in all the regions mentioned.
At the end of the 19th century, after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the tradition of decorating the New Year (Christmas) tree finally came to France. The honor of spreading this tradition belongs to the inhabitants Alsace and Lorraine who, not wanting to become Prussians, after the annexation of their regions to Germany, decided to leave for France, the “land of human rights”, which again became a republic.
Even before that, in 1837, the German wife of the heir to the French throne, Ferdinand Philip, Duke of Orleans, Lutheran Helena of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, ordered to install a Christmas tree in the Tuileries Garden, but then the tradition did not take root. (A century earlier, in 1738, another unsuccessful attempt to introduce the tradition of the Christmas tree at the French court was made by the wife of Louis XV, Maria Leshchinskaya). Only the influx of immigrants from Alsace and Lorraine predetermined the mass distribution of the Christmas tree in France. (By the way, thanks to the same Alsatians, the tradition quickly spread to the United States).
Today a gigantic Christmas tree (sapin de Noel, arbre de Noel) can be seen in the central square of every major French city: in Paris and Rouen, on the Stanislav Square in Nancy and on the Place Kleber in the city of Strasbourg, which bears the proud name of the "capital of Christmas". Since about the 1930s, the custom of putting up a decorated Christmas tree at Christmas has been accepted in almost all French homes.
In the UK, the tradition of Christmas trees, which is typical, was also brought by the ubiquitous Lutherans, consort of Queen Victoria Prince Albert He is the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. On his initiative in 1841 in Great Britain(more precisely, in Windsor Castle) the first Christmas tree was installed. In 1848, a photograph of the royal family gathered around the Christmas tree appeared in an English newspaper, which was soon replicated in the form of numerous postcards. Court fashion quickly spread among the bourgeoisie, and then the common people. In the Victorian era, it was believed that the Christmas tree should have six tiers of branches and be set on a table covered with white linen. Then it was decorated with garlands, bonbonnieres and paper flowers.
It is curious that even before the appearance in the UK, the tradition of Christmas trees took root in Canada. And only in the 20th century did this custom finally penetrate into the main Catholic countries of Europe - Italy and Spain.
Christmas tree decorations of the New Age: the invention of the glass ball and other innovations
In the middle of the 19th century, natural products used to decorate the Christmas tree began to be replaced with artificial ones. In 1858, a terrible drought broke out in the northern Vosges and Moselle, and the harvest of apples and other fruits was extremely poor, so that locals did not have the opportunity to decorate Christmas trees with live fruits. And then glass blower from the Lorraine village of Götsanbrück ( Goetzenbruck), which is near Meisenthal (Meisenthal), came up with the idea of making glass balls in the form of apples and other fruits. Thereafter glass christmas decorations gained popularity far beyond Alsace.
Town Meisenthal(Meisenthal) in Lorraine and today is famous for the skill of its glaziers. For over 20 years (from 1867 to 1894), the head of the Nancy School of Art, Emile Galle, worked at this glass factory: first, the designer studied with the local masters, and then, having become a mature artist himself, closely collaborated with the factory when creating his magnificent works. Today in Meisenthal you can visit International Art Glass Center (Center International d'Art Verrier) and get to know the work of glassblowers better. But this center is not just a museum, but a creative workshop where they regularly experiment with new modern ideas, not forgetting, of course, about traditions. One of the main types of manufactured products are glass balls- almost the most popular Christmas tree decoration today. In addition to balls, local craftsmen make glass decorations in the form of bells, Christmas trees, cones, nuts, birds and many other images.
Apart from glass balls, in the 19th century, a rich arsenal of Christmas tree decorations was replenished with numerous angels dressed in gold or silver foil. Also, gilded spruce trees were often used to decorate Christmas trees. cones and stars of gilded straw and white Bristol board (made from premium paper). Later there was a tradition to place on top of the Christmas tree star- a symbol of the Bethlehem star, which showed the magi the way to the birthplace of Christ. Alternatively, the top of the Christmas tree is sometimes decorated with a spire ( cimier oriental) or a figurine of a golden angel with a Latin inscription Gloria in Excelsis Deo("Gloria").
But the main innovation of this era was the custom of lighting the Christmas tree with festive lights. Initially, for this purpose, they used, of course, candles- despite the risk of fire (by the way, the first person who came up with the idea to decorate the Christmas tree with candles was, as it is believed, Martin Luther enchanted by the beauty of the starry sky). But since wax was quite expensive, candles were often replaced with oil-filled walnut shells with a small floating wick on the surface - or flexible candles that could be wrapped around fir branches. The illumination was not only decorative, but also symbolic, recalling the birth of Christ, who is the light of the world. At the beginning of the 20th century, electric garlands appeared, which at first few people could afford, they were so expensive.
In the 20th century, there were also widespread artificial christmas trees, which were first invented in the 19th century in Germany. Numerous fans of artificial fir trees today claim that they are cheaper, safer and more convenient than real trees. As for the environmental aspect, disputes continue on this issue: there is no consensus on what causes more harm to nature: cutting down natural trees (the advantage of which is that they are biodegradable) or the production of artificial Christmas trees from polyvinyl chloride with not always safe supplements.
Christmas tree in Catholic countries
Only in the 20th century did the custom of decorating a Christmas tree come to the main Catholic countries of Europe - Italy and Spain. For example, in vatican The tradition of the Christmas tree appeared only in 1982 at the initiative of John Paul II, elected pope four years earlier. At first, not all representatives of the Catholic Church approved of this custom, but gradually the tree became an integral part of the celebration of Christmas in the Vatican, and today not a single Christmas is complete without a magnificent Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square in Rome.
During the prayer of the Angel of the Lord on Sunday, December 19, 2004 Pope John Paul II explained to the believers as follows The meaning and symbolism of the Christmas tree: “[...] a traditional Christmas tree is often installed next to the nativity scene - this is also a very ancient tradition associated with the glorification of the value of life. In winter, this evergreen spruce becomes a symbol of immortality. It is at her trunk that gifts are usually placed. This symbol also has a great Christian meaning, because it reminds of the Tree of Life and the image of Christ - the highest gift of God to mankind. Thus, the Christmas tree carries the message that life does not stop for a moment and that it is a gift, not material, but valuable in itself, a gift of friendship and love, brotherly mutual assistance and forgiveness, the ability to share and sympathize.».
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Today, there are no specific prescriptions for how the Christmas tree should be decorated. It can be lavish decoration or an ascetic, simple outfit. It can be a modern designer Christmas tree that allows a person to show his imagination as much as possible. In any case, this evergreen tree remains a symbol of the Christmas holidays and unforgettable childhood experiences.
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Used sources .
In December we will have many children-guests. And I’ll collect some facts about the new year in this regard. different countries. One New Year's quiz prompted me to this idea.
Then we'll see what we can come up with - a quiz game or just read at home for educational purposes ...
1. The coldest place on the planet is the South Pole.
Arctic - North Pole- represents the expanses of the Arctic Ocean covered with ice. With the onset of summer in the northern hemisphere of our planet, this ice partially melts. In addition, warm currents, the Gulf Stream, for example, play a significant role in the temperature regime of the region. Generally, average temperature in the Arctic in winter it is about -34 ° C, and in summer it is even warmer.
Antarctica is not just the southernmost continent. It is still covered with a non-melting ice shell. In geography lessons, they always tell that it is always colder on the mainland than in the sea. Add to this a perpetual ice sheet that reflects almost 95% of sunlight, no warm currents, and you have the whole picture. According to scientists, the average temperature southern mainland is -49°C.
If you start compiling a rating of the coldest places on our planet, the picture is as follows: Antarctica will be the undisputed leader, followed by the coldest places in the Northern Hemisphere (Yakutsk, Verkhoyansk, Oymyakon - all three places in Yakutia, and Greenland).
3. When was the New Year celebrated?
In ancient Greece, the beginning of the year fell on the longest day of the year - June 22. And the chronology of the Greeks was from the famous Olympic Games, which were held in honor of the legendary Hercules. For the first time, the calendar, in which the year began on January 1, was introduced by the Roman emperor Julius Caesar.
In Russia, on New Year's Eve, dressed-up children and adults went from house to house. Dressed in masks and animal skins, they sang, danced, sprinkled grain on the floor, wishing their owners a rich harvest. And they celebrated the New Year at the beginning of autumn - September 1. Only in 1700, Peter the Great moved the celebration of the New Year to January 1, as was customary in all European countries. The first day of the New Year 1700 began with a parade on Red Square in Moscow. In the evening, the sky was lit up with bright lights of festive fireworks.
4. When did you start giving gifts?
Few people know that the custom of giving New Year's gifts came to us from ancient rome. It is said that the first gifts were laurel branches, which foreshadowed happiness and good luck in the coming year. "I wish you a favorable and happy New Year," the Romans wrote on New Year's gifts, sometimes adding comic verses, because the New Year is a fun holiday.
5. In Hungary in the first second of the New Year they prefer to whistle in children's pipes, horns, whistles. It is believed that it is they who drive away evil spirits from the dwelling and call for joy and prosperity. Preparing for the holiday, the Hungarians do not forget about magical power New Year's dishes: beans and peas preserve strength of mind and body, apples - beauty and love, nuts can protect from trouble, garlic - from diseases, and honey - sweeten life.
6. In Germany people of all ages, as soon as the clock begins to strike midnight, climb onto chairs, tables, armchairs, and with the last blow together, with joyful greetings, "jump" into the New Year. Santa Claus appears on a donkey. Before going to bed, the children put a plate on the table for gifts that Santa Claus will bring them, and they put hay in their shoes - a treat for his donkey.
7. In England according to the old custom, when the clock begins to strike 12, the back doors of the house are opened to let out the old year, and with the last blow, the front doors are opened, letting in the new year.
On New Year's Eve, theaters play out performances based on old English fairy tales for children.
In England, a custom arose to exchange greeting cards for the New Year. The first New Year's card was printed in London in 1843.
Before going to bed, the children put a plate on the table for gifts that Santa Claus will bring them, and they put hay in their shoes - a treat for the donkey.
In England, a bell announces the arrival of the New Year. True, he starts calling a little before midnight and does it in a "whisper" - the blanket with which he is wrapped up prevents him from demonstrating all his power. But exactly at twelve bells are undressed, and they begin to loudly sing hymns to the New Year. At these moments, lovers, in order not to part next year, should kiss under the mistletoe branch, which is considered a magic tree.
8. French Santa Claus called Pere Noel. He comes on New Year's Eve and leaves gifts in children's shoes.
9. In Greece New Year is the day of St. Basil, who became famous for his extraordinary kindness. The children leave their shoes near the fireplace, hoping that the saint will fill them with gifts.
10. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia a cheerful little man comes to the children, dressed in a shaggy fur coat, a high ram's hat, with a box behind his back. His name is Mikulas. For those who studied well, he always has gifts.
11. In Italy it is customary to throw out broken dishes, old clothes and even furniture from apartments at the very last minute of the old year. They are followed by crackers, confetti, sparklers. It is believed that if you throw away an old thing on New Year's Eve, then in the coming year you will buy a new one. On the Apennine Peninsula (in Italy), the New Year begins on the sixth of January. All Italian kids are looking forward to good fairy Befana. She arrives at night on a magic broom, opens the doors with a small golden key and, entering the room where the children sleep, fills children's stockings specially hung by the fireplace with gifts. For those who studied poorly or were naughty, Befana leaves a pinch of ash or coal. It's a shame, but he deserved it!
Babbo Natale - Italian Santa Claus.
In the Italian provinces, there has long been such a custom: on January 1, early - in the morning you must bring home "new water" from the source. "If you have nothing to give to your friends," the Italians say, "give "new water" with an olive branch." It is believed that "new water" brings happiness. For Italians, it is also important who they meet first in the new year. If on January 1 the first person an Italian sees is a monk or a priest, this is bad. It is also undesirable to meet a small child, but to meet a cute grandfather is good. And even better if he is humpbacked ... Then the new year will definitely be happy!
12. In Spain There is a tradition to eat grapes on New Year's Eve. By the sound of the clock, you need to have time to eat 12 grapes, one for each of the twelve coming months.
13. In Cuba on New Year's Eve, they fill all the dishes that are in the house with water, and at midnight they begin to pour liquid from the windows. Thus, all the inhabitants of the island of Freedom wish the New Year a bright and clean, like water, path. And while the clock strikes 12 times, you need to swallow 12 grapes, and then goodness, harmony, prosperity and peace will accompany you for all twelve months.
14. In Scotland The New Year is celebrated with a kind of torchlight procession: barrels of tar are set on fire and rolled through the streets. Thus, the Scots "burn" the old year and light the way for the new. The well-being of the owners depends on who enters the house first on the morning of the new year. It is believed that a dark-haired man who comes with a gift will bring happiness.
15. In Scandinavia in the first seconds of the New Year, it is customary to grunt under the table in order to drive away evil spirits, illnesses and failures from the family.
In Sweden, before the New Year, children choose the queen of light, Lucia. She is dressed in a white dress, a crown with lit candles is put on her head. Lucia brings gifts to children and treats to pets: a cat - cream, a dog - a sugar bone, a donkey - carrots.
16. In Ancient China on New Year's Day, the only holiday of the year for the poor was announced, when anyone could enter the house and take what they need, and if you refuse, the neighbors will turn away with contempt. In modern China, the New Year is a festival of lanterns. It is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the New Year according to the lunar calendar. On New Year's Eve, countless small lanterns are lit in the streets and squares, believing that the sparks from them will drive away evil spirits. The New Year itself comes in January-February, so it is associated with the end of winter and the beginning of spring. For many centuries, the inhabitants of China, seeing off cold and bad weather with the light of lanterns, meet the awakening of nature. The lanterns are given a different shape, decorated with bright patterns, intricate ornaments. The Chinese are especially fond of placing lanterns in the form of 12 animals on the streets, symbolizing each year of the 12-year cycle of the lunar calendar.
17. In Vietnam The new year according to the lunisolar calendar is called Tet. This is a family holiday, during which all quarrels are forgotten, insults are forgiven. The Vietnamese decorate their homes with miniature tangerine trees with tiny fruits. Every Vietnamese home has an ancestral altar, and paying tribute to their memory is an important part of New Year's celebrations. Celebrated in Vietnam New Year and January 1, it is called "holiday of the young."
18. New Year in Japan- one of the most popular holidays in the country. Japanese children celebrate the New Year in new clothes, believing that this will bring good luck and health. On New Year's Eve, children put a drawing depicting their dreams under the pillow, then the wish should come true. In floral arrangements, pine dominates, symbolizing longevity and endurance. And in the morning, when the New Year is already coming into its own, the Japanese go out to meet the sunrise, with the first rays they congratulate each other and present gifts. Bunches of straw are hung on the facades of houses to protect the house from evil spirits. And the most important thing for the Japanese is to laugh at the first second of the New Year - then happiness will accompany them all year.
The main New Year's accessory is a rake (kumade), with the help of which the Japanese will be able to rake in happiness in the new year. They are made from 10 cm to 1.5 m in size and are decorated with rich paintings. To appease the Deity of the year, which brings good luck to the family, the Japanese build kadomatsu in front of the house - a small gate made of three bamboo sticks, to which pine branches are tied. Also in Japan, exactly at midnight, a bell begins to ring, which beats 108 beats. According to an old belief, each ringing "kills" one of the human vices. According to the Japanese, there are only 6 of them - greed, anger, stupidity, frivolity, indecision, envy, but each has 18 shades.
Japanese Santa Claus is called Segatsu-san - Mr. New Year. Favorite New Year's entertainment girls - a game of shuttlecock, and the boys on the days of the holiday launch a traditional kite.
19. In India as many as eight dates that are celebrated as the New Year, as many cultures intersect in the country. On one of these days - Gudi Padva - it is necessary to eat the leaves of the neem-nim tree, which taste very bitter and unpleasant. But according to the old belief, they protect a person from diseases and troubles and provide, oddly enough, a sweet life.
20. In Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria and Tanzania meet Muharram - the first month of the year of the Muslim lunar calendar. A few weeks before this date, Muslims put grains of wheat or barley in a dish of water so that they germinate. By the beginning of the new year, sprouts appear, which symbolize the beginning of a new life.
21. Jewish New Year- Rosh Hashanah - is not so much a memory of any historical event from which the countdown of years begins, but the day of the Supreme Court. It is believed that on this day the Almighty judges people, and on the basis of their deeds, decides what fate awaits them in the coming year. Therefore, the main thing at such a time is the repentance of each person. This day is filled with prayer and restrained joy. On the table are festive candles, a round challah with apples dipped in honey to make the year sweet.
New Year in Israel is called Rosh Hashan and is celebrated on the first two days of the month of September. Rosh Hashanah is the anniversary of the creation of the world and the beginning of the reign of God. On this day, the acceptance of God as sovereign is reaffirmed. The New Year's holiday is a day of intense prayer and discreet fun.
22. In Brazil New Year's Eve is called Iemanja. The beaches fill with people and religious chanting praises Iemanja. Even those who live far from the water try to come to the coast to make offerings to the sea: most often these are flowers on small ships made of wood. Participants of the ceremony dress in costumes of a certain color - depending on the saint who "will reign" during the new year.
23. In Nepal The New Year is celebrated at sunrise. At night, when the moon is full, the Nepalese light huge bonfires and throw unnecessary things into the fire. The next day, the Festival of Colors begins, and then the whole country turns into a huge rainbow. People paint their faces, hands, chests with an unusual pattern, and then they dance and sing songs in the streets.
24. In Panama at midnight, when the New Year is just beginning, all the bells ring, sirens howl, cars honk. The Panamanians themselves - both children and adults - at this time shout loudly and knock on everything that falls under their hands. All this noise is necessary in order to "appease" the coming year.
25. In Holland Santa Claus is called Sinterklaas. We all know very well that Santa Claus arrives from Lapland on reindeer. But among the Dutch, the “chief winter grandfather” arrives from Spain and not on deer, but on a ship. Sinterklaas, surrounded by his retinue, descends from the ship to the pier, where the mayor of the city with the elders is already waiting for him. Here, to the sounds of festive music and general jubilation, he is handed symbolic keys to the city. This is an interesting tradition that has been followed in Holland for many, many years. And thanks to modern technology, the colorful spectacle of the meeting of Sinterklaas can be seen on television in different corners country.
In Holland, there is a custom to hang children's shoes on the night before New Year's holidays and put carrots in them. What are carrots for? And for the horse Amerigo, on which Sinterklaas gallops over the roofs of houses and dumps traditional treats, chocolate letters, children's initials into the chimneys.
26. Also in September, namely the 11th, comes New Year in hot Ethiopia. It coincides with the end of the big rains and the beginning of the harvest. On New Year's Eve, festive processions are arranged, funny Games and festivities, the most daring compete in jumping over fire.
27. March 21 is celebrated New Year in Afghanistan This holiday is called Navruz. This is the start time for agricultural work. The elder of the village makes the first furrow in the field. On the same day, fun fairs open, where magicians, tightrope walkers, and musicians perform.
NEW YEAR QUIZ for schoolchildren of 1-8 grades
Target: improve skills about the New Year.
Tasks:
1. develop logical thinking;
2. expand horizons and vocabulary;
3. increase interest in learning the language;
4. cultivate respect for the culture of the country of the language being studied.
5. to promote the development of students' creative abilities,
6. cultivate a sense of kindness, empathy, instill interest in art.
Equipment: presentation, certificates and assignments on cards.
Quiz for schoolchildren about the New Year
What winter holidays do we celebrate twice: according to the old and new style?
(Christmas - December 25 and January 7. New Year - January 1 in the new style and January 14 in the old style. The phrase old New Year is our domestic invention and tradition.
In Russia, when the whole family gathered at the New Year's table, the children tied the legs of the table with a bast rope. What did this New Year's custom symbolize? (This meant that the family in the coming year would be strong and should not be separated.)
Why in 1699-1700 Russians celebrated the New Year twice with an interval of four months?
(In 1699, a few months after the Russians had already celebrated the New Year on September 1, they had to repeat the celebration. Because on December 19, Peter the Great issued a decree on the reform of the calendar in Russia. According to this document, the New Year began to be celebrated on 1 January and the Christian chronology was adopted - from the Nativity of Christ.The first January festive New Year in Russia was celebrated very widely for almost a day.)
When issuing a decree on the celebration of the New Year, Peter I wrote that on this day, January 1, “to decorate houses from pine and spruce trees and branches. To inflict shooting on each in his own yard, and do not inflict much drinking and massacre on this day ... ". Why did he forbid drinking and fighting that day? (According to Peter, "other days are enough" for this.)
In pre-Petrine Russia, fresh apples were a traditional New Year's treat for a festive feast. Why? (After all, before the calendar reform of Peter I, the New Year was celebrated on September 1 - at the time when apples were picked.)
In Japan, New Year's Eve is announced by 108 strokes of the bell; in the UK, New Year's midnight is beaten off by the London clock Big Ben. But in Russia?
(Moscow Kremlin chimes.)
Why didn't the future poet Pushkin have a Christmas tree in his childhood? (The Christmas tree in Russia began to be used as a New Year's tree only from the middle of the 19th century.)
With the advent of Soviet power, the custom of decorating a Christmas tree for Christmas was abolished as a religious one. And when was it restored? (Only in 1935, they began to decorate the Christmas tree for the New Year.)
When did January 1 become a non-working day in Russia? (The decision to do so was made in December 1947.)
Residents of which countries are the first in the world to celebrate the New Year?
(Inhabitants of New Zealand and the State of Fiji. This is due to the fact that these territories are geographically located closest to the date line.)
What advantage do the inhabitants of the Chukchi village of Uelen have over the rest of the Russians?
(They are the first to celebrate the New Year. Uelen is the easternmost village in Russia. It is located not far from Cape Dezhnev in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. Its inhabitants celebrate the New Year 8 hours earlier than in Moscow.)
Residents of which region of the Russian Federation celebrate the New Year later than all other Russians? (Kaliningrad region, the westernmost region of Russia. The New Year comes to them an hour later than to Moscow.)
How many times can you celebrate the New Year in Russia? (Now, in accordance with the new law "On the Calculation of Time", there are 9 time zones passing through the territory of Russia. Therefore, in Russia, the New Year can be celebrated 9 times. And more recently, there were 11 time zones, and therefore the number of New Year's meetings in our country decreased by 2.)
What gymnastic trick does the Earth perform by the time of the next New Year? (Reverse.)
At what beat of the Kremlin Chimes does the New Year begin in our country?
(According to the rules of the exact time service, a new hour comes with the last sound signal, including the last strike of the clock.)
Who were the first people on Earth to celebrate the New Year in space? (These are Russian cosmonauts Yuri Romanenko and Georgy Grechko, in orbit of the Salyut-6 station on January 1, 1978.)
For Americans, he is a saint; for the French, he is a father figure. And who is he to us, the Russians?
(In America, Santa Claus brings gifts to Americans, Per Noel - Father Christmas - to the French deputy, and Grandfather Frost distributes gifts to little Russians.)
What ancient Belarusian forest is considered the birthplace of Santa Claus? (Belovezhskaya Pushcha)
In what month does our Santa Claus celebrate his birthday? (In November, more precisely - on November 18. What is the age of the winter wizard is not known for certain, but it is for sure that it is more than 2000 years old. The children themselves came up with the date of birth of Santa Claus, since it was on November 18 that on his estate - in Veliky Ustyug - the real winter, and frost strikes.)
In what region of the Russian Federation is Veliky Ustyug, the patrimony of Father Frost?
(In the Vologda region. Veliky Ustyug is one of the oldest cities in the Russian North. It was officially named the birthplace of Father Frost in 1999.)
When did the Russian Grandfather Frost have a granddaughter Snegurochka? (Recently, she was invented by the Russian playwright A.N. Ostrovsky, who in 1873 wrote a play in verse - the poetic "spring tale" "The Snow Maiden".)
What Russian city is the historical homeland of the Snow Maiden?
(Kostroma. In Kostroma, the Snow Maiden has both a tower and a living room, where she cordially receives and entertains her guests of any age.)
When did the song “Yolochka” (“A Christmas tree was born in the forest ...”) appeared, which is sung by all children and adults in our country at the New Year holidays?
(For the first time, the poem "Yolochka" was published in 1903 in the children's magazine "Malyutka" with a two-letter pseudonym. Composer L.K. Beckman wrote music for the poems. Only in 1941 was the real author of the words established - Raisa Adamovna Kudasheva, Russian writer.)
What beauty dresses up once a year?
(Christmas tree.)
Which country is the historical homeland of the Christmas tree, and then the New Year tree? (Germany.)
Name the children's storyteller who invented the Planet of Christmas Trees.
(Gianni Rodari.)
What is the name of the Russian old, but ageless dance at the New Year tree? (Round dance.)
Name the performer of the lullaby for the Christmas tree. (Snowstorm.)
What is the name of the New Year's two-faced ball? (Masquerade, carnival.)
New Year's drink for risky people is ... What? (Champagne.)
What is the name of the most peaceful New Year's warhead? (Clapperboard.)
What do New Year's crackers start with?
(Confetti.)
Not only a winding road in the mountains, but also a Christmas tree decoration. What's this?
(serpentine.)
What was the name of the village in which amazing events took place on Christmas night, which N.V. told us about? Gogol? (Dikanka.)
What were the names of the boys from the story of Arkady Gaidar, who came to their father in the distant taiga to celebrate the New Year with a geological expedition? (Chuk and Gek.)
From which film by Eldar Ryazanov did the catchphrase fly out: “There is a setting to have fun celebrating the New Year”? ("Carnival Night".)
Name our most New Year's film, showing which on the eve of the New Year has become a real Russian tradition, which has been around for more than 30 years.
(“The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath”, directed by Eldar Ryazanov, 1976. They joke, in order to tactfully find out the age of a woman, you need to ask her how many times she watched this film on New Year's Eve. The number of views will equal her age.)
But Santa Claus harnesses not deer, but deer to the Christmas sleigh! What proves the truth of such a statement? (The presence of horns. After all, male deer take off their antlers in the fall.)
Why is it impossible to return existing debts on New Year's Eve?
(In order not to do this all year later. You need to return all monetary debts in advance, but it is not recommended to take on old debts on the New Year.)
In Greece, on New Year's Eve, guests put a stone on the host's doorstep, wishing him that this thing always weighs no less. What is this thing? (Wallet.)
What is customary to wash for the New Year in Hungary in order to be provided with all year round?
(Literally money!)
Why don't they serve ducks, chickens, or geese on New Year's Eve in Hungary?
(So that “happiness does not fly away from home.”)
Why, on the evening of December 31, do Italians only walk strictly in the middle of the pavement?
(They are afraid to walk along the edges of the pavement for safety reasons, as the Italians on New Year's Eve throw old trash and furniture out of the windows.)
In Germany, these seasonal workers must be at least 180 cm tall, with a bass and a beard. They are given uniforms free of charge. What color is she? (Red, it's Santa Clauses.)
In which country during the New Year's street processions - the most exciting part of the holiday - thousands of lanterns are lit to light the way to the New Year? (In China.)
Which island state has such a custom: before the New Year, people fill all the dishes with water, and at the moment when the clock strikes twelve times, they make a real flood, at the same time pouring water out of the windows, wishing themselves that in the coming year life would be the same bright and clear like water? (At Cuba.)
In what month does the New Year begin according to the Eastern lunar calendar? (In February.)
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In what month in the history of Russia was the New Year NOT celebrated?
A. Mart. V. September.
B. January. G. November.
(The ancient Slavs celebrated the New Year on March 1 with the onset of heat and the beginning of field work. In 1492, the beginning of the year in Russia was officially postponed to September 1. Since 1699, the New Year began to be celebrated on January 1.)
When was the New Year celebrated in pre-Petrine Russia of the 18th century?
A. January 1st. B. March 1st.
B. June 1st. G. 1 September.
How affectionately called Santa Claus in some Russian fairy tales?
A. Freezer. V. Morozko.
B. Morozets. G. Kholodets.
What is the name of Santa Claus' magic wand?
A. Scepter. V. Wand.
B. Staff. G. Mace.
What headdress does our Russian Santa Claus wear?
A. Kolpak. B. Boyar hat.
B. Chalma. G. Pot.
(And Santa Claus walks in a red cap.)
Where does Santa Claus get gifts for Russian kids on New Year's Eve?
A. From the chest. B. From the bag.
B. From the safe. G. From a sock.
What is the name of the tale of V.F. Odoevsky?
A. "Moroz Ivanovich". V. "Kholod Petrovich".
B. "Kolotun Nikolaevich". G. "Stuzha Semyonovna".
What fairy tale did G.Kh. Andersen?
A. "Spruce". V. "Pine".
B. "Fir". G. "Kedr".
What is the name of the place where Christmas trees are sold?
A. Green market. V. Christmas tree market.
B. Green auction. G. Coniferous supermarket.
Which Kremlin tower appears on TV screens on New Year's Eve?
A. Borovitskaya. V. Nikolskaya.
B. Spasskaya. G. Kutafya.
What item does every Japanese consider it his duty to acquire in order to rake in new happiness in the coming year?
A. A shovel. V. Fishing net.
B. Bamboo rake. G. A straw basket.
Under the guise of a representative of which of the professions is the Mongolian Santa Claus on New Year's Eve?
A. Cook. V. Shepherd.
B. Steelworker. G. Cosmonaut.
What time of year is New Year's Eve in Australia?
A. Summer. V. Autumn.
B. Winter. G. Spring.
NEW YEAR QUIZ
1. The most important grandfather at the New Year's holiday. (Freezing.)
2. Nickname of Santa Claus. (Red nose.)
3. The city where the residence of Father Frost in Russia is located. (Great Ustyug.)
4. Rod of Santa Claus. (Staff.)
5. Santa Claus gift store. (Bag.)
6. Granddaughter of Santa Claus. (Snow Maiden.)
7. Part of the world where the custom to celebrate the New Year at the Christmas tree arose. (Europe.)
8. Mandatory attribute of the New Year holiday. (Christmas tree.)
9. Giving the Christmas tree a New Year's look. (Decoration.)
10. Place for the New Year's sale of Christmas trees and Christmas tree decorations. (Bazaar.)
11. Threads of lanterns on the Christmas tree. (Garland.)
12. They are lit both on the Christmas tree and on the festive table. (Candles.)
13. Shiny Christmas ribbon. (Tinsel.)
14. A long narrow ribbon of colored paper that is thrown at each other on New Year's Eve. (serpentine.)
15. Substitute for snow on the Christmas tree. (Vata.)
16. Multi-colored paper circles, which are showered on each other at the New Year's holiday. (Confetti.)
17. Colored decorative lights flying into the air. (Fireworks.)
18. Close people with whom they most often celebrate the New Year. (Relatives.)
19. Time of day when the New Year is celebrated. (Night.)
20. A chain of children and adults holding hands, who walk around the Christmas tree with songs. (Round dance.)
21. A cold sweet treat that looks like snow. (Ice cream.)
22. The last day of December in relation to the New Year. (Eve.)
23. A branch of a Christmas tree. (Paw.)
24. It is customary to give them for the New Year. (Presents.)
25. A toy that, when torn apart by impact, makes a sharp sound and throws out confetti. (Clapperboard.)
26. Costume ball on New Year's Eve. (Masquerade.)
In which country of the world is a New Year's grandfather called Pere Noel? (France)
And in what country is New Year's grandfather called Toshigami? (Japan)
Which country has a tradition of naming the New Year's old man Yolupukki? (Finland)
Which of the Russian cities is considered the birthplace of the Snow Maiden? (Kostroma)
Where is it customary to decorate with bamboo for the New Year? (In Vietnam)
Which country in the world has a tradition of decorating the New Year holiday with holly twigs? (USA)
In this country, instead of a Christmas tree, a tangerine tree is brought into the house for the new year. (China)
Where on New Year's Eve they dance around a house made of palm leaves instead of a Christmas tree? (In Ghana)
New Year's quiz for grades 1 and 2
1. Which New Year's grandfather has a long red fur coat, a boyar hat, a broad white beard and a long staff in his hands and a very kind smile?
2. This Santa Claus has a white beard, a red hat with a pom-pom, bright swimming trunks on a tanned body, sunglasses and a surfboard. Where is he from?
3. In this country, the New Year coincides with the festival of cattle breeding. Santa Claus comes to the children in the clothes of a cattle breeder, with a fox hat on his head, a long whip in his hands, a flint and a snuff box on his side. What country are we talking about?
4. From which movie is this catchphrase: “There is a setting to celebrate the New Year cheerfully”?
5. Which city is declared the geographical homeland of the Russian Father Frost?
6. In what country does the local Santa Claus Bobbo Natale distribute gifts, but the Befana fairy with a red cap and crystal shoes?
7. In what country does Santa Claus have such a funny name - Joulupukki?
8. What is the name of the Spanish Santa Claus?
* * * * * *
Now let's change the problem a bit. You will need to choose the correct answer from the three given.
9. In what country is the New Year's grandfather called Baba Zhara?
1) In Panama; 2) in Cambodia; 3) in Sudan.
10. In which country do residents make a New Year's greeting bouquet from pine, bamboo, plum, woven into rice straws with the addition of fern and tangerine branches?
1) In China; 2) in Japan; 3) in Thailand.
11. In which country, before the New Year's holiday, houses are decorated with branches of a coffee tree?
1) In Nicaragua; 2) in Brazil; 3) in Kenya.
12. In what country is the New Year celebrated at the palm tree?
1) In Cuba; 2) in Nepal; 3) in Saudi Arabia.
13. In which country is a red-flowered metrosideros tree used instead of a Christmas tree?
1) in Ghana; 2) in Australia; 3) in Singapore.
14. Where on New Year's Eve are bamboo shoots thrown into the hearth to scare away evil spirits with crackling and hissing?
1) In Korea; 2) in Japan; 3) in China.
New Year's quiz for grades 3 and 4
1. What was the first Christmas tree in France in 1600 decorated with? This year is the first mention of the New Year tree in literature.
2. What are the trees in the Philippines made of? What dish in Holland is served only for the New Year's table?
3. In Japan, on New Year's Eve, branches of two plants are tied at the door - a symbol of fidelity and longevity. One of them is pine, and the other?
4. In which country (in the city of Payakylä) is there a Santa Claus post office?
5. In Bulgaria, it is customary to bake coins and …
6. What must be sewn for the New Year in Korea?
7. What man, today a rare profession, is considered a symbol of happiness in Austria?
8. The heroine of which play by Ostrovsky would be very useful to us here at the New Year's Eve?
9. In 1638, gilded and silver-plated toys appeared on Christmas tree branches. Which?
10. In which country was the day when the first snow falls the beginning of the new year?
11. What do they break in Sweden for the New Year?
12. What is the name of Santa Claus in Italy?
13. What do the inhabitants of Hungary use to drive away evil spirits before the New Year?
14. What do Japanese children draw and put under their pillows on New Year's Eve?
15. Cubans on New Year's Eve fill all the dishes with water. What do they do with this water?
16. What is strictly forbidden to do in China on the first days of the New Year
17. In which country is it customary to joke on New Year's Eve, like we do on April 1?
18. Why is it not worth standing under the windows on New Year's Eve in Panama?
19. Why do the Scots bring a piece of coal to visit on New Year's Eve?
20. What was the name of the boy with the heart of ice?
21. The hero of what fairy tale fought with the Mouse King on the eve of the New Year?
22. In which Russian city does Santa Claus live?
23. Who was the first in the world to establish the custom of celebrating the New Year?
24. The tree lives the longest in one of the cities in the US state of Indiana. What's the name of this town?
25. In Australia, Santa Claus does not come on a sleigh, but on what?
26. The inhabitants of which island are the first to celebrate the New Year on our planet?
Which Forest thinning before the new year?
(Coniferous forest. Spruce forest, pine forest, etc.)
What beauty dresses up once a year?
(New Year's Christmas tree.)
Thanks to the work of people of what profession, New Year's Eve is dressed up Christmas tree?
(Glass blowers.)
Which country is considered the historical homeland of the Christmas, and then the New Year Christmas trees?
(Germany.)
When was born herringbone according to the biological passport?
(Coniferous trees are of ancient origin. They replaced fern-like plants at the beginning of the Mesozoic. It may very well be that the distant ancestors of our Christmas tree were contemporaries of giant dinosaurs.)
How many years does he live spruce if it escapes the fate of becoming a New Year's tree?
(Spruce lives 300-400 years. Long-lived Christmas trees can live up to 500 years.)
To which family do they belong Christmas trees?
(To the family pine.)
At what age do ate bumps appear?
(At 35 - 40 years old.)
Can spruce to predict the weather?
Length of all roots of one tree ate is approximately 2 km, and one tree pines- six times more. What conclusion can be drawn about the conditions of existence of these trees?
(Pinegrows in drier soils than spruce.)
Why pines in the forest, the lower branches die off, and ate No?
(Pine- photophilous plant.
What wood were ship masts made of?
(From pines.)
What can be obtained from needles pines?
(Vitamin flour, artificial wool.)
Pine can be planted to strengthen the sands, and spruce no. Why?
(U pines roots go deep into the soil ate they are close to the surface.)
How to distinguish a cedar branch pines from the branch pines ordinary?
(In a pine tree, the needles are arranged two in a bunch, and in a cedar tree - five each.)
In which forest is darker - in spruce or pine?
(In the spruce.)
Which coniferous is the tree considered the most musical?
(Spruce. Pianos, balalaikas, guitars are made from spruce.)
What kind of wood coniferous does the tree sink in water?
(Larch.)
The wood of what our coniferous wood does not collapse under the action of water and air and is stored for millennia?
(Larches. Its wood is used for underwater structures, in shipbuilding, etc.)
From which coniferous wood made the internal details of the buildings of the Moscow Kremlin, the wood of this tree does not rot?
(Larch.)
Which coniferous the tree is otherwise called Siberian cedar?
(Pine u.)
From the seeds of which Eurasian pines get oil?
(From cedar - Siberian pine.)
how many pine cones does a squirrel need a day to be full?
(380 pieces. Cedar - 2 pieces, spruce - 30 pieces. And squirrels do not really like pine cones, they are very resinous.)
In the old days in Russia, beer was brewed, using young shoots of this beer instead of hops. coniferous tree. What?
(Pines.)
What plant is called "grape" coniferous forests"?
(Juniper.)
Which tree is the only one coniferous- poisonous?
(Yew berry.)
Name the "pencil" tree.
(Cedar.)
Which coniferous the tree almost does not burn and "loves" fires?
(Sequoia evergreen, cultivated in the south of Russia.)
The scientific name of this prized landscape designer ate – spruce Engelman. And by what “color” name do we know it?
(Blue spruce.)
A forest of aspens is called aspen forest, of oaks - oak forest. What are coniferous forests called? oil? Pines? Kedrov? fir?
(Spruce forest, pine forest, cedar forest or cedar forest, fir forest.)
Ryzhik willingly grow under Christmas trees and pines. Spruce mushrooms grow in spruce forests, but what is another name for pine mushrooms?
(Upland mushroom.)
What forest bird that lives in the Siberian taiga can remember the location of almost six thousand of its storerooms, in which it hid its supplies for the winter?
(This is smart cedar ovka hiding cedar cones in pantries. Her visual memory is larger than a human's.
Which plant is not coniferous: cypress or eucalyptus?
(Eucalyptus.)
What kind coniferous plants reach a diameter of 12 meters?
(Sequoia.)
What valuable ornamental stone is fossil resin coniferous trees?
(Amber.)
Wand of which ancient god was crowned spruce bump?
(Dionysus, or Bacchus.)
The winner of what games in ancient Greece was awarded a wreath of pines?
(Winner of the Isthmian Games.)
What wood was Jupiter's scepter made from? Trojan horse? Arrows of Cupid?
(Scepter from cypress, a horse from ate, arrows from cedar.)
The coat of arms of which Russian city is decorated with a cannon and three Christmas trees?
(Yelnya. Smolensk region, on the Desna River.)
Not only coniferous tree, but also a tributary of the Don.
(Pine.)
Not only pine forest, but also a city in the Nizhny Novgorod region of the Russian Federation.
(Bor.)
What tree is depicted on the coat of arms of the city located in the Lipetsk region on the banks of the river Pines?
(Spruce- the city of Yelets.)
The name of which European country comes from the word "molid" - " Pine»?
(Moldova, Moldova.)
How often is a branch called coniferous tree: paw, flipper or claw?
(Paw.)
The name of which animal in English combines the words "pig" and " Pine»?
(Porcupine - porcupine. He resembles a pig by the habit of rummaging in the ground and grunting when grazing. Well, pine, of course, with needles.)
The name of which fruit in English consists of two words in one - “ Pine' and 'apple'?
(Pineapple - pineapple, pine - pine, apple - apple.)
An anagram of the name of which coniferous tree is the word "pump"?
(Pine.)
Not only a drill in the dentist's car, but also pine Forest.
(Bor.)
Name the chemical element "name" coniferous forests.
(Bor.)
Which road sign is coniferous tree?
(On the road sign "Resting place".)
What do the fighter boy and pines?
(Bumps.)
What, regardless of the seeds thrown, grows in any furrow?
(Pinery - boron cool.)
Say in one word the phrase "One pine forest”, if this word is the surname of a Russian composer.
(Bor-one - Borodin.)
How they dressed up Christmas tree during the childhood of A.S. Pushkin?
(The Christmas tree in Russia began to be used as a New Year tree from the middle XIX century, the future poet did not have a Christmas tree in his childhood.)
Who wrote the story "The Boy at Christ's Christmas tree»?
(F.M. Dostoevsky.)
(V. Odoevsky.)
What fairy tale did G.Kh. Andersen: "Spruce", "Pine" or "Fir"?
(« Spruce».)
About what tree did Mikhail Lermontov write "In the wild North it stands alone"?
(Pine.)
Name the children's storyteller who invented the New Year's Planet yolo To.
(Gianni Rodari.)
It was in January
stood Christmas tree on the mountain,
And next to this Christmas trees
The bad wolves roamed.
(A. Barto.)
In 1903, the Russian writer Raisa Adamovna Kudasheva wrote the poem " Christmas tree". Quote the first two lines, known to absolutely everyone.
(“I was born in the forest herringbone...»)
That wooden man was carved from Italian wood. pines, hence the name. Which?
(Pinocchio. Pinia - Italian Pine, a coniferous tree with an umbrella-shaped crown.)
"In Italian pine cones - prickly and heavy, the size of a small melon. To fix such a bump on the head - so oh-oh! From whom did Pinocchio fight off with such cones?
(From Karabas Barabas.)
Which ballet begins with a scene at the Christmas Christmas trees: "Cinderella" or "The Nutcracker"?
("Nutcracker".)
Fill in the missing word in the Russian proverb: "Far Pine stands, but to his own ... makes noise.
(boro.)
How do they talk about someone who cannot find a way out in a simple, uncomplicated life situation?
(At three pines got lost.)
how many pines stood on the Murom path in the famous Russian song?
(“On the Murom path stood three pines, dear, said goodbye to me until next spring.")
What in the song from the cartoon "The Bremen Town Musicians" did the characters call their walls?
(Pines-giants. "Our walls are giant pines...")
In XIX century, the Moscow mayor issued a decree in which he fixed the phrase recommended for coachmen to replace abuse in the presence of ladies. We also use this phrase with success. What phrase did he recommend?
(« Christmas trees- sticks.) Pines.)
What is the name of the place where New Year's trees: green market, Christmas tree bazaar or coniferous supermarket?
(Christmas tree bazaar.)
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