Pancake Day♥

In England, the Tuesday before Lent is known as Pancake Day. On that day it is traditional to eat pancakes, toss pancakes and take part in pancake races.

The origin of eating pancakes arose from Christians who observe Lent and wanted to use up all the rich foods in their cupboards before Lent. During Lent eggs, sugar and butter were not allowed so these ingredients were used to make pancakes. 
An English pancake is a thin, flat cake, made of butter and fried in a frying pan.

                                                                  Pancake races.
Pancake races are held all over England. The object of the race is to get to the finishing line first whilst flipping a pancake in a frying pan a pre-decided number of times. The skill lies not so much in the running of the race but in flipping and catching the pancake, which must be intact when the finishing line is reached.
Each contestant has a frying pan containing a hot, cooking pancake. She must toss it three times during the race that starts at the market square at 11.55 am. The first woman to complete the winding 375-metres course (the record is 63 seconds set in 1967) and arrive at the church, serve her pancake to the bell ringer, and be kissed by him, is the winner. She also receives a prayer book from the vicar.

♠Carnival♣

Carnival is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent, in February. 
Carnival typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party.
People often dress up or masquerade during the celebrations.

In England, the season immediately before Lent was called Shrovetide. It was a time for confessing sins with fewer festivities than the Continental Carnivals. Today, Shrove Tuesday is celebrated as Pancake Day.
The largest Carnival in England is Notting Hill Carnival which doesn't derive from Lent and is celebrated in August. It is derived from Caribbean tradition and is a cultural transplant.

Carnivals have sometimes evolved from fairs, but more often from religious events such as Saint’s Day celebrations, Parish Feasts, Wakes and Whitsuntide processions, and also pagan celebrations such as May Day.

❀Valentine's Day!♥

   

Valentine's Day is observed on 14th February each year. St. Valentine's Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus.

The legend says that Saint Valentine was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry. During his imprisonment, he met a guard's daughter. Before his death, he wrote a letter to her, signed "From your Valentine".

Today, many people celebrate their love for their partner by sending cards or letters, giving gifts or flowers.

Common Valentine's Day gifts are flowers chocolates, candies, peluches.

Valentine's Day is not a public holiday. Government offices, stores, schools and other organizations are open as usual.

The most common Valentine's Day symbol is the heart, particularly in red and pink. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Describing a picture★

The picture shows a part London, it was just taken in the capital of England and it's a coloured photo.

In the foreground there is a red telephone box, in the background there is the Big Ben.
There are cars on the street and many lights.

The atmosphere is peaceful, but also a little chaotic, because you can imagine people walking and talking.
I really like this photo, also because I love London and one day, when I'll grow up, I wish that I'll live in this spectacular city.