Festivals In New Zealand
New Zealand seems to have some festivals or event
going on some where almost everyday of the year. Sporting
events at all times are very popular, as are the multitude
of excellent agricultural shows that draw large crowds of
locals and visitors alike. Drama, ballet, and musical events
are also highly recommended. Agricultural and pastoral shows
are held throughout the year. Events include animal
handling, sheeping trials, horse jumping, local crafts, and
fruit and vegetable displays and competitions. These shows
have a distinctly local atmosphere and typical "New Zealand
feeling". following are but a few of a multitude of events
throughout the year; some large festivals are held only once
every couple of years.
Christmas
December comes during the summer. Many New Zealander like
going to the beach, and have a big picnic on Christmas day,
but they don't quite like eating hot food for that meal.
Popular Christmas foods include cold turkey, plum pudding,
and salad. But before the meal, they sent presents that have
been wrapped with a beautiful cover to each other.The
christmas tree can't be absent too,many prensents are hang
up on the tree,there are also some little lights filling the
tree.
School children have a six-week summer holiday at
christmas time. Carolling takes place in many cities and
towns. Both Father Christmas (Santa Claus) are popular
symbols of gift giving in New Zealand. It is very pleased
thing for children to find presents from him, they believe
the existance of Father Christmas, because they always find
some surprise presents somewhere.Actually, Father Christmas
is often acted by their parents.
Easter
During the Lent, (starts on Ash Wednesday),
people avoid eating sweet luxury food, giving up smoking,
and pay attention to what they say in order to acquire joy
in mentality, overcome weakness and to follow our winnning
leader, Jesus Crist. This idea also reminds us of the
article in Old Testament of going to the promised land
through water with manner. On good Friday, all the shops and
organizations in N.Z. are closed, while some shops in
another Christian country aren't. On Good Friday, there held
a service in memory of Jesus taking a thorny way in church.
They don't have service on Saturday. But the special Easter
service on Sunday actually begins at Saturday night. The
special service on Sunday is the biggest service in a
church. People make big light with candles, and pass them
hand to hand. Thus Easter is celebrated grandly. It is
synbolised by an egg and a rabbit, which symbolise new life
which comes after death.
In N.Z., it's more common to eat chocolate eggs,
which are coated chocolate like egggshells, than coloured
eggs. Then parents hide them in their house or their
garden,and children find them after the Easter service on
Sunday morning. Other than easter eggs, people have a
special crossed pan, and a special
cake called " Sinnel ", which has
been prepared with dried fruits and wisky or brandy since a
month before.
Easter Show
From "Good Friday" to next Tuesday, Kiwi have
five holidays, so they go to their family in a farm, and a
Royal Easter Show is held. This show is combined with an
agricultural show on farms. Because it is the end of Summer
in n.z., it contains the purpose of a harvest festival which
wishes "good luck " for farmers. Furthermore, many contests
are held. For instance, a contest of horse riding for
children, wine, animals, etc.
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