TEB !A- Ch. 5B- Les Fêtes en France- Culture/Descriptions (*= legal holiday )

*Le Jour de l'an

-visit family

-may exchange gifts with adults

-may begin sending out New Year's cards

La Fête des rois

-Galette de Rois (King's cake) typically

round tarte with almond-paste filling

-fève (figurine) hidden inside

-person who finds it is king for the day

-unofficial end of the Christmas holiday season

La Fête de la chandeleur

-make crêpes

-hold coin in one hand and flip crêpe with the other for good fortune

Saint Valentin

-only for couples

-similar traditions (Flowers, dinner, candy)

Le Mardi Gras

-last day before Lent begins

-some cities have parades, masked balls

-some schools allow children to dress up in costumes

Le Dimanche de Pâques

-religious/Catholic origin (resurrection of Jesus)

-church bells ring out on Sunday morning

-children are told the church bells came back bringing them candy & eggs

-chocolates- bunnies, eggs, crosses & even fish

*Le Lundi de Pâques

-legal holiday since Easter is always on a Sunday

Poisson d'Avril

-day of pranks and jokes

-children tape paper fish to people's back and yell "Poisson d'Avril"

*La Fête du Travail

-small bunches of Muguet (lilies of the valley) are given to people as a wish for happiness

-labor unions hold demonstrations in public areas to honor their history and sometimes protest current policies

*La Fête de la Victoire

-commemorates end of WWII in Europe

-ceremonies at local WWII monuments

-laying of wreath at tomb of Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

La Fête de la Musique

-free festival held around cities and towns on June 21st (summer solstice)

-professional concerts in large cities, other venues organized by towns, amateurs can play anywhere they want

*La Fête Nationale

-commemorates the taking of the Bastille prison Paris in 1789, which is considered the beginng of the French Revolution

-large military honor parade held on the Champs Elysées in Paris

-bal populaires put on in fire-stations in towns

-fireworks in towns & cities (BIG display by Eiffel Tower)

*La Toussaint

-school children have a 2 week vacation encompassing this holiday

-some families may clean and decorate family members grave stones

-chrysanthemums are the flower often used

*Le Jour de L'Armistice

-same day as our Veteran's Day

-commemorates end of WWI

-ceremonies at local WWI monuments

-laying of wreath at tomb of Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

La Saint Nicholas

-unofficial beginning of the Christmas holiday season

-Saint Nicolas comes on his donkey and puts gifts and candy in children's shoes

-celebrated more in Northern and Eastern France

-some schools may have St. Nicolas visit and leave treats

-St. Nicolas is accompanied by "Father Whipper" who threatens children with whipping if they are naughty

La Veille de Noël

-typically spent with family

-large meal (sometimes after church) called the Réveillon

-pâté, oysters, turkey and bûche de noël are common favorite foods

*Noël

-spent with family

-may open gifts if they didn't open them Christmas Eve (especially if there are children)

La Saint Sylvestre-La Veille du Nouvel An

-typically spent with friends

-looong, late meal, also called the Réveillon

-kiss under the mistletoe at midnight

-similar celebrations as here

-also fireworks in many parts of the country

*L'Ascension

Jesus' ascension into Heaven

religious/Catholic origin

*La Pentecôte

The arrival of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles

religious/Catholic origin

*L'Assomption

-religious/Catholic origin

-there may be some processions around areas outside of churches in honor of the Virgin Mary ("Notre Dame")