British traditions: history and modernity

This article examines the traditions and customs that are considered the cultural heritage of each country. They are the basis of life and development of any nation. These two concepts reflect the habits and foundations of people, their identity and individuality. Customs and traditions serve as a memory of the history of our ancestors. They are adhered to and passed down from generation to generation. Each nation has its own unique history, which is easier to understand if you know the traditions and customs that have been formed since ancient times. Many of them date back to ancient times. In some countries, the observance of customs and traditions is a prerequisite, as it does not allow you to forget about your ancestors and their way of life. Sometimes traditions are adopted by other peoples. This unites them into one big family. One of the countries where they zealously preserve and honor their traditions and customs is the United Kingdom. The culture of this country has such traditions, the characteristics of which are sometimes difficult to Express in words, but it is impossible not to feel literally everywhere: in behavior, everyday life, art, language and religion. The British have a longing for the past, and for them there is nothing more precious than traditions and customs. It doesn't matter how they appeared. The main thing is to stick to them in everything and always. Keeping up with traditions is the best way for the British to feel comfortable, to feel constant in everything [1, с.128].

British traditional customs are closely linked to centuries of history. Perhaps the most beautiful and fascinating tradition in the UK is changing the guard. The history of changing the guard begins in 1660. The essence of this colorful ceremony at Buckingham Palace is to change one guardsman to another. The ceremony lasts 45 minutes. Guards in bright red uniforms and tall bear hats are replaced by the sound of a band. Another attractive tradition is the Ceremony of the Keys. For 700 years, the tower of London's jailer has locked its gates every night. All gates must be locked at exactly 21.53.After that, the staff trumpeter blows the lights out and the ceremony ends. Since the beginning of the 17th century, a traditional parade called «banner Removal» has been held annually. It is performed in honor of the Queen. The celebration is attended by 1,400 soldiers and officers, including 200 horse guards and 400 musicians playing drums and bagpipes. The parade begins with volleys of Royal artillery guns, after which the Queen drives around the ranks of the guards and returns to Buckingham Palace. After that, she continues to watch from the balcony. The parade ends with a demonstration flight of the air force. The banner and carriage of the monarch are carried in turn by different regiments of the guard. These and other traditions show the respect and loyalty of the British to the monarchy and the Royal family [4, с.115].

Many customs are associated with the culture of tea drinking. For the British, the tea ceremony defines their lifestyle, habits and worldview. They are passionate about making tea and can drink more than 5 cups a day. In any home the tea is served in the obligatory order. And every self-respecting host should offer several different varieties of tea, at least 8-10 to choose from. Traditionally, the rule of good taste is to place a table with tea accessories near the fireplace. You should also pay attention to the fact that small things play a big role in this event. The tablecloth should be white or blue without any patterns. Each guest should have a set of a fork and knife, a teaspoon, a strainer and a stand for it. The tea ceremony begins with appetizers that are served earlier than the tea itself. Snacks are very diverse, ranging from bread with butter and tomatoes to biscuits, rolls, cookies and, of course, sandwiches. Usually the British drink black tea with milk. First, it is customary to pour about a quarter of a Cup of milk, and then dilute it with pre-brewed tea. But first, each participant of the tea party must decide on the type of tea. The hostess makes tea using a certain technology. It is always drunk hot, but not scalding [7, с.87].

It's no secret that the British people, in addition to honoring the traditions and customs of their ancestors, also come up with their own, albeit very strange ones.

One feature of the British is their love of animals. They are convinced that if a person keeps a pet, it definitely can't be bad. In the UK, there is a small custom, which consists in the fact that the family must bring an animal. People get cats or dogs not for fun, but for communication and company. They are vital to them, since only with four-legged Pets do the British develop the most sincere and warm relations. Sometimes they love them a little more than children. Pets in the house are allowed everything that children would be punished for, the British are ready to give half a salary for food and clothing for their Pets, if only they were smart and beautiful [3,с.268].

A long-standing custom in great Britain is the legendary race between two universities-Oxford and Cambridge. It began in the 19th century in 1829. This rowing competition takes place on the river Thames most often on Easter Sunday. The entire race takes 20 minutes. Each team has 8 people, and they row four and a quarter miles [5, с.148].

In conclusion of this article, we can say about the importance of observing and honoring the traditions of your people. Following the traditions and customs, we draw knowledge and experience from our predecessors. We will pass this on to other generations in the future. This is how the history of a nation is created, its culture and identity are formed. Don't forget that cultivating such qualities as respect and love for the traditions and customs of your people will lead to the preservation of this history many millennia after us.

You can talk about the traditions and customs of Great Britain for a long time, but the conclusion will be the same. The British respect and remember the traditions of their ancestors and try to follow them in everything. The unique customs of this country reflect its originality and uniqueness. The British managed to preserve this valuable wealth given to them by their ancestors.