FRENCH CELEBRATIONS

WARMING UP
y y y y y

What do you know about french culture? Have you ever been in France? Do you know any french habits? Do you know or hear about any french celebration? Do you think french special dates are very different from the ones you celebrate in your country or culture? Do you know any tradition related to this celebrations?

LA CHANDELEUR (FRENCH CANDLEMAS)

The Catholic holiday of Candlemas, on Candlemas, 2 February, is a feast to commemorate the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of baby Jesus in the temple

In France, this holiday is called la Chandeleur, Chandeleur, Fte de la Lumire or jour des crpes.

The term "Candlemas" was "Candlemas" derived from the Latin ritual of lighting candles at midnight to symbolize purification. The original event involved the observance of the Holy Family

The term "Fte de la Lumire" refers Lumire" to the lighting of blessed candles as a form of remembering Jesus Christ who is the "Light of the World." This lighting of blessed candles at homes for protection continues to this day in France.

In relation to why La Chandeleur is also called Jour des crpes, the French (used to)pray for good harvest and prosperity for every home and family. All excess flour was used to make crpes. These pancakes are a symbol of prosperity in France. Farmers believe(d) that wheat will grow better if many crpes were made. Turning the celebration into a sort of revelry, children engage in crpe-throwing games during crpethis day.

Not only do the French eat a lot of crpes on Chandeleur, but they Chandeleur, also do a bit of fortune telling while making them. It is traditional to hold a coin in your writing hand and a crpe pan in the other, and flip the crpe into the air. If you manage to catch the crpe in the pan, your family will be prosperous for the rest of the year.

The way by which this is done is similar to a procession, with the participation of all members of the family. The following year, the coin is given to the poor.

Crpes certainly are an important part of the French celebration of Candlemas. Candlemas. One reason for this is that crpes, to the French, symbolize the sun, which seems to be absent in their lives during this time of the year. In addition, French proverbs pertaining to the occasion come out prominently during this day; here are just a few:

 la Chandeleur, l'hiver cesse ou reprend vigueur Chandeleur, On Candlemas, winter ends or strengthens Candlemas, la Chandeleur, le jour crot de deux heures Chandeleur, On Candlemas, the day grows by two hours Candlemas, Chandeleur couverte, quarante jours de perte couverte, Candlemas covered (in snow), forty days lost snow), Rose la Chandeleur, hiver sa dernire heure Chandeleur, Dew on Candlemas, winter at its final hour Candlemas,

I guess that after reading so much about french candlemas andcrpes andcrpes you certainly want to know the recipe recipe http://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=YJ86x3JVX0Q BON APPTIT!

Are you capable to tell to your classmates how to make crepes? Do you want to do some and taste them afterwards? afterwards? What do you think about French Candlemas tradition? tradition? Do you like it? Explain why it? Do you know any typical recipe in your country connected to one specific holiday? holiday? Can you write the recipe?