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Some facts from the flag history
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SOME FACTS FROM THE FLAG HISTORY
There was no universally accepted flag for Russia until the middle of the 17th century. The earliest mention of the flag occurs during the reign of Alexis I, and is related to the construction of the first Russian naval ship, the frigate Oryol. The choice of the colours may originate from the Dutch flag with red, white and blue stripes. As for the Tsar Peter the Great we know he was interested in shipbuilding in the European style. In 1693, Peter ordered a Dutch-built frigate from Amsterdam. In 1694 when it arrived, the Dutch red-white-and-blue banner flew from its stern. Peter decided to remodel Russia's naval flag after this banner by changing the sequence of colours. It eventually became the flag of the Russian Empire. Later, on 7 May 1883 it was authorized to be used on land, and became an official National flag before the coronation of Tsar Nicholas II in 1896. There exist several other versions of the Russian tricolour flag. They say that the three colours may come from the coat of arms of the Grand Duchy of Moscow, which depicts Saint George wearing white (silver) armour, riding a white horse, having a blue cape and holding a blue shield on a red field. According to another version, these three colours were associated with the robes of the Virgin Mary, the holy patroness of Russia. Yet, another interpretation of the three colours is that the order in which they are placed reflects the Russian social system under the monarchy: white represents God, blue the Tsar and red the peasants. Another very common interpretation is the association of colours with the main parts of the Russian Empire: white represents Belarus (" White Russia" ), blue is Ukraine (or Malorossia, " Little Russia" ), and red is " Great Russia". The National Flag Day is an official holiday in Russia, established in 1994. It is celebrated on 22 August, though it is not a day-off.
ТЕКСТ 3. THE COAT OF ARMS
Задание1. Ознакомьтесь с содержанием данного текстового материала и ответьте на следующие вопросы:
1. What information in the text " The Coat of Arms" attracted you attention?
2. Is this material actual and up-to-date? Give your comments.
3. When was the current coat of arms adopted?
THE COAT OF ARMS
The present coat of arms of the Russian Federation derives from the earlier coat of arms of the Russian Empire, and was restored in 1993. The use of the double-headed eagle as a Russian coat of arms goes back to the 15th century. With the fall of Constantinople and the end of the Byzantine Empire in 1453, the Grand Dukes of Muscovy came to see themselves as the successors of the Byzantine heritage. Ivan III adopted the golden Byzantine double-headed eagle in his seal, first documented in 1472. At about the same time, the image of a gilt, double-headed eagle on a red background appeared on the walls of the Palace of Facets in the Moscow Kremlin. The shape of the eagle can be traced back to the reign of Peter the Great (1682–1725), although the eagle on the present coat of arms is golden rather than the traditional, imperial black. During the reign of Peter the Great, further changes were made. However, a final form for the eagle was adopted by imperial decree in 1729, and remained virtually unchanged until 1853. The current coat of arms was adopted officially on November 30, 1993. Today, the imperial crowns on each head stand for the unity and sovereignty of Russia. The orb and sceptre grasped in the eagle's toes are traditional heraldic symbols of sovereign power and authority. They have been retained in the modern Russian arms despite the fact that the Russian Federation is not a monarchy. The modern coat of arms of Russia was instated by a presidential decree in 1993, and then by a federal law signed by President Vladimir Putin on December 20, 2000. The other main Russian coat of arms is the image of St George slaying the dragon. In its first form, as a rider armed with a spear, it is found in the seal of Vasili I of Moscow in 1390. At the time of Ivan III, the dragon was added, but the final association with Saint George was not made until 1730. Eventually, St George became the patron saint of Moscow and of Russia.
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Текст 4. THE SYMBOLS OF GREAT BRITAIN
Задание1. Прочитайте данный текстовый материала и ответьте наследующие вопросы:
1. What information in the text " The Symbols of Great Britain" attracted your attention?
2. Why isn't Wales represented in the Union Jack by the Wales' patron saint?
3. When was the act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland signed?
THE SYMBOLS OF GREAT BRITAIN
London is the capital of England. The national anthem of the UK is ‘God save the Queen. ’ The symbol of the country is BRITANIA, the female embodiment wearing a helmet and holding the trident (the symbol of power over sea). The figure of BRITANIA has been on the riverside of many British coins for more than 300 years. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland uses as its national flag the royal banner known as the Union Flag or Union Jack. The current design of the flag dates from the Union of Ireland and Great Britain in 1801. There are really three flags on the top of each other. The Red Cross on the white background of St George is for England. Saint George’s Day is celebrated on 23 April. The white “X” on the blue background is of St Andrew for Scotland. Saint Andrew’s Day is celebrated on 30 November. The red “X” on the white background is of St Patrick for Ireland. Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated on 17 March. Wales, however, is not represented in the Union Flag by the Wales' patron saint, Saint David, as at the time the flag was designed, Wales was part of the United Kingdom. St David’s day is celebrated on 1 March. In 1603 James VI of Scotland (Stuart) became also James I of England when Queen Elizabeth I of England died without children. In 1651 Scotland was united with England. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland. In 1301 after defeating the native princes of Wales, King Edward I of England named his son Prince of Wales. In 1536 Wales was brought into the English system of national and local government by the Act of Union. Cardiff is the capital of Wales. Only in 1800 the act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland was signed. Belfast is the capital of Ireland. It is worth remembering that the Union Jack is more popular in England than in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The reason is that the Welsh, Scottish and Irish do not like being reminded of the time when they lost their independence to England.
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LANGUAGES
Most British people speak English, but Gaelic is also spoken in the west and north of Scotland and in Northern Ireland. Welsh is spoken by over half a million people in Wales.
THE QUEEN AND PARLIAMENT
The Queen’s constitutional role is mainly symbolic. The Queen and the royal family continue to take part in many traditional ceremonies. They pay visits to many other countries especially of the Commonwealth of Nations, attract considerable interest and publicity, and are closely involved in the work of many charities.
PARLIAMENT
Only members of Commons are known as MPs –Members of Parliament. The Commons is more important of the two Houses. Unlike MPs, members of the House of Lords (‘peers’) are not elected. The modern House of Lords has little real power nowadays. The power to refuse a proposal for a law (which has been agreed by the Commons) is limited.
A proposed law (a bill) has to go through three stages (readings) to become the Act of Parliament. If the majority of MPs vote for the bill, it is sent to the House of Lords. When the Lords agree it is taken to the Queen for Royal assent.
POLITICAL PARTIES
Conservative - партия Консерваторов
Labour - партия Лейбористов
Liberal Democrat – партия Либерал демократов
Welsh Nationalists - партия Уэльса
Scottish National - Шотландская национальная партия
Prime Minister - Theresa Mary May, 2016, Leader of the Conservative Party
RELIGION – Christianity (Protestantism, Catholicism)
The Church of England ( C of E ) or the state Church of England is both Catholic and Reformed:
· Catholic in that it views itself as a part of the universal church of Jesus Christ in unbroken continuity with the early apostolic church. Reformed in that it has been shaped by some of the doctrinal principles of the 16th-centuryProtenstant Reformation.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Britain has diplomatic relations with 169 countries. The UK is the member of some 120 international organisations, including the G7, the United Nations (UN), where it is a permanent member of the Security Council the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); and the Commonwealth of Nations.
Britain’s principal agency for cultural relations overseas is the British Council.
The UK is fully committed to the principles of the United Nations and its Charter, maintaining peace, assisting developing countries and protecting human rights and freedom.
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