La Tomatina
La Tomatina is a popular Spanish festival. It takes place on the last Wednesday of August each year in the town of Buñol near Valencia. A lot of tourists from all over the world come to Spain to take part in this this world’s biggest ‘food fight’.
At the festival people throw tomatoes at each other in the streets of Buñol. The first festival started by chance in 1945. People liked the idea and turned it into a yearly tradition.
St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is is celebrated on the 17th of March. It’s the day of the Irish patron saint. He was born in Roman Britain in the 4th centure. At the age of 1 he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but returned at about 432 to convert the Irish to Christianity. He established monasteries, churches and schools.
Nowadays the holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, fireworks, special food, music, dancing, drinking and a lot of green! The St. Patrick’s Day symbols are shamrocks, leprechauns, parades, corned beef and cabbage, green beer and the harp. In Dublin people celebrate for 5 days! And if you don’t wear green, you might be pinched!
(Ruslan I., 15)
Questions, useful phrases
- What is the name of the festival? (The festival is called ...)
- Where and when does the festival take place? (It is takes place/held in … (place) on …. (date))
- Do many people take part in the festival?
- When did the tradition start?
- Would you like to take part in it?
Videos
1) St. Patrick’s Day (A1-A2)