Types of trees used

Both natural and artificial trees are used as Christmas trees.

Some trees are sold live with roots and soil, often from a nursery, to be planted later outdoors and enjoyed (and often decorated) for years or decades.

Artificial trees have become increasingly popular, as they are considered more convenient and (if used for several years) less expensive than real trees. Trees come in a number of colours and “species“, and some come pre-decorated with lights. At the end of the Christmas season artificial trees can be disassembled and stored compactly.

The first artificial trees that were not green were the metallic trees, introduced in about 1958, and quite popular through the 1960s.

Other artificial trees may look nothing like a conifer except for the triangular or conical shape. These may be made from cardboard, glass, plastic, or from stacked items such as ornaments. Such items are often used as tabletop decorations.

Fordítsd le a szavakat, kifejezéseket angolra!

1. tűlevelű fa
2. karácsonyi égők
3. műfenyő
4. faiskola
5. színes díszek
6. asztali dísz

Key

1. coniferous tree
2. Christmas lights
3. artificial (Christmas) tree
4. nursery
5. colourful ornaments
6. tabletop decoration

Oh, come, all ye faithful

Joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem.

Fun fact: The composer of this song is a mystery… Do you know who it was?

1833: Silent Night

Silent Night, holy night

Silent Night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

‘Round yon virgin Mother and Child

Holy infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Did you know: This was first performed on Christmas Eve at St. Nicholas Parish in the Austrian Empire. It was first performed on guitar. The song was re-written for guitar last minute when the church organ was damaged by floodwaters.

1847: O, holy night

Oh holy night

The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth

Long lay the world in sin and error, pining

‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth

On Christmas Eve in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian war, a French soldier sang this during an intense battle and caused a ceasefire. Fighting ceased for a day as both sides celebrated Christmas. It was the first song broadcast live on December 21, 1906, played on the violin.

1861: O come, O come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here,

Until the Son of God appear.

1865: What child is this?

What child is this?

Who lay to rest

On Mary’s lap is sleeping

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet

While shepherds watch are keeping

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh

Come peasant king to own him

The King of Kings salvation brings

Let loving hearts enthrone him

This, this is Christ the King

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing

Haste, haste to bring him laud

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

William Chatterton Dix wrote this while having a religious experience. This may sound familiar because it shares the same tune as the traditional English folk song “Greensleeves”.

1885: How great thou art

Then sings my soul, my Saviour GOD to Thee, How great Thou Art, how great Thou Art.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour GOD to Thee, How Great Thou Art, how great Thou Art!

This was voted the United Kingdom’s favourite hymn by BBC’s “Songs of Praise”.

1919: Carol of the bells

Hark how the bells

Sweet silver bells

All seem to say

Throw cares away

Christmas is here

Bringing good cheer

To young and old

Meek and the bold

Ding-dong, ding-dong

This was adapted from a 1916 Ukrainian folk song. The original composer intended the music to be sung a cappella. Who else heard this song first in “Home Alone”?

1941: Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me

Pa rum pum pum pum

A newborn king to see

Pa rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring

Pa rum pum pum pum

To lay before the king

Pa rum pum pum pum,

Rum pum pum pum,

Rum pum pum pum

1943: I’ll be home for Christmas

I’ll be home for Christmas

You can plan on me

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents by the tree

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love light gleams

I’ll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams

I’ll be home for Christmas

You can plan on me

Please have some snow and mistletoe

And presents by the tree

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love light gleams

I’ll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams

I’ll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams

This was originally written to honour soldiers overseas who longed to be home at Christmas time. Bing Crosby’s recording was one of the first songs broadcast to astronauts in December 1965.

It was recorded in 1951 by the Trapp Family Singers who inspired “The Sound of Music”. This song was released more than 220 times in seven languages.

1945: The Christmas Song

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

Jack Frost nipping at your nose

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir

And folks dressed up like Eskimos

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe

Help to make the season bright

Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow

Will find it hard to sleep tonight.

This song was written during a blistering hot day.

1971: Happy Xmas! (War is over.)

So this is Christmas

And what have you done

Another year over

A new one just begun.

The X represents the Greek letter chi, the initial letter in Greek for Jesus Christ.

1984: Mary did you know?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you.

The composer said “these are the questions I would have asked if I were to sit down and have coffee with Mary. “

1990: My grown-up Christmas list

Do you remember me?

I sat upon your knee

I wrote to you

With childhood fantasies

Well, I’m all grown up now

And still need help somehow

I’m not a child

But my heart still can dream

1995: All I want for Christmas is you

I don’t want a lot for Christmas

There is just one thing I need

I don’t care about the presents

Underneath the Christmas tree

I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

All I want for Christmas is you, yeah

I don’t want a lot for Christmas

There is just one thing I need

And I don’t care about the presents

Underneath the Christmas tree

I don’t need to hang my stocking

There upon the fireplace

Santa Claus won’t make me happy

With a toy on Christmas Day

I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

All I want for Christmas is you

You, baby

This is Mariah Carey’s biggest international success and is the 12^th best-selling single of all time.

2004: Believe

Believe in what your heart is saying

Hear the melody that’s playing

There’s no time to waste

There’s so much to celebrate

Believe in what you feel inside

And give your dreams the wings to fly

You have everything you need

If you just believe.

The composer of this song Alan Silvestri also wrote the music for Back to the Future and The Avengers movies. Over 50 songs are title ‘Believe’.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone!

Which songs can you find these words in?

1. melody
2. triumphant
3. underneath
4. Virgin Mother
5. Son of God
6. walk on water
7. chestnut

Key

1. Believe
2. O, come all ye faithful
3. All I want for Christmas is you
4. Silent Night
5. O come, O come, Emmanuel
6. Mary, did you know?
7. The Christmas Song

Britain is making its final preparations for a ceremony and celebration that have been decades in the planning: the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday.

A ritual both ancient and made-for-television, the coronation service and its surrounding events will summon the world’s gaze on behalf of a royal family. Britain’s hospitality industry is also counting on an enormous party. The holiday weekend, with street celebrations and a gala concert, will last three days.

Here are some highlights:

The coronation service begins at 11 a.m. (6 a.m. Eastern time) on Saturday in Westminster Abbey in London. The festivities will continue through the weekend and into Monday, which is a public holiday in Britain.

Approximately 2,300 people have been invited to attend the coronation ceremony. Among those to receive the invitation — a hand-painted card by a heraldic artist, reproduced and printed on recycled paper with gold-foil details — are Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain, Jill Biden, European aristocrats, Nobel Prize winners, the actress Joanna Lumley, and famed musicians like Lionel Richie and Nick Cave, but also a magician, a hairstylist and a Syrian refugee.

After years of family tensions, Prince Harry will attend his father’s coronation — alone. Harry’s wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is staying at home in California with the couple’s children, Prince Archie, who turns 4 on Saturday, and Princess Lilibet, 1.

The Coronation Chair used for the coronation of the monarch, was commissioned by King Edward I of England to accommodate the Stone of Scone, which was captured from the Scots in 1296. The chair was constructed in the early 1300s, and the stone sits directly under its seat. The chair is the oldest piece of furniture in Europe still being used for its original purpose, and that 26 monarchs have been crowned on it since the coronation of Edward II in 1308. The Coronation Chair, which has been used for hundreds of years, underwent a restoration before Saturday’s ceremony.

Usually the monarch has a new glove and sword belt made for the coronation, but King Charles III is departing from tradition and reusing the ones worn by his grandfather, King George VI, 86 years ago.

The other objects in the ceremony, including an orb and a scepter that will be held by King Charles, symbolize power and authority in a monarchy. Charles will be crowned with the St. Edward’s Crown, which was removed from the Tower of London last year to allow for modifications to it.

The coronation of King Charles III will feature a processional cross containing what are said to be two pieces of the cross on which Jesus was crucified. Pope Francis recently gave the pieces to the new British monarch. The Vatican did not say where the fragments given to King Charles had come from. The pieces were set, under glass, at the center of a cross that was commissioned by Charles, as Prince of Wales, to celebrate the centenary of the Church in Wales, which split off from the Church of England in 1920. An inscription, in Welsh, on the back of the cross reads: “Be joyful. Keep the faith. Do the little things,” from the last sermon of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales.

Across central London, homages to the royal family are appearing on many street corners, from photographs in cafes to giant chalk paintings of King Charles III.

Thousands of additional police officers and security workers will be on the streets of London. It will be one of the largest security operations that the Met has held for quite some time. It was said that the police had learned from Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations honoring her seven decades on the throne last June and her funeral in September, both of which drew hundreds of thousands of people into the city streets.

Ringing the bells for the newly crowned monarch is a centuries-old tradition in Britain. Among those who are going to ring the bells is Andrea Szabolcsi, 42, who works in information technology and moved to London from Hungary seven years ago.

source: The New York Times

One of the early Christmas traditions begun by Christians in Britain was the decorating of the home with evergreens.  While the Christmas tree would not find its way from Germany to Britain until 1840, holly, ivy, bay, and rosemary were all used as symbols of everlasting life.  What’s more, rosemary stood as a symbol of remembrance and bay of valour.  Holly, with its masculine symbolism and ivy as its feminine counterpart were also meant to represent the stability of a home.

White Christmas Origin

In 2014, it was reported that it’s only snowed in Britain on Christmas 4 times in the last 52 years.  The image of a white Christmas is thought to have originated with the writings of Charles Dickens.  During his lifetime, he grew up in a “Little Ice Age” and it snowed each Christmas for the first eight years of his life, supposedly influencing him to include it in his imagery for A Christmas Carol and other works.

Christmas No. 1s

The tradition of the Christmas no. 1 single began in 1973 when Slade’s “Merry Xmas Everybody” hit the top of the charts on Christmas Day (though other Christmas songs had made it to the top spot before this).  As Christmas is a major time for buying albums (along with many other items), it became part of British culture for bands to contribute songs especially for the holiday season.  Since 2002, these have largely been singles by singers affiliated with the programme X-Factor.  This trend was beaten in 2009 by a successful radio and Facebook campaign to get Rage Against the Machine’s 1992 single “Killing in the Name” as the no. 1 (specifically for its line “F*** you! I won’t do what you tell me!”).   The highest selling Christmas single was Band Aid’s 1984 hit “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” at 3.5 million copies.  The second highest is Wham!’s “Last Christmas” in the same year with 1.4 million.  The Beatles have the record for the most no. 1 singles on Christmas Day at 4 with “I Want to Hold Your Hand” in 1963, “I Feel Fine” in 1964, “Day Tripper/We Can Work It Out” in 1965, and “Hello, Goodbye” in 1967.

Father Christmas Lives in Scotland

Letters to Father Christmas that give his address as “Toyland” or “Snowland” will typically go to Edinburgh.  Ones addressed to the North Pole will go to the post office of Santa Claus Holiday Village on the outskirts of Rovaniemi in the Arctic Circle of Finland.

Christmas Present from Norway

Oslo has sent London a Christmas tree every year since 1947 as a thank you for Britain’s contributions to the fighting in World War II.  The tree is placed in Trafalgar Square.

Welsh

In the Welsh language, Christmas is called “Nadolig Llawen.”

Christmas Savings

Britons usually spend nearly £22 billion during the holiday season, special Christmas discounts and coupons will save consumers £51 million.  Shoppers also spend £700 million on unwanted Christmas gifts, like the horrible jumper your aunt gave you.

What’s in the Box?

Boxing Day’s name originates from the “Christmas box” that servants and staff would receive from their employers on the day after Christmas.

Hogmanay

Celebrated in Scotland the same way that New Year’s Eve is celebrated in England and the rest of the world, Hogmanay was once more popular than Christmas.  Christmas wasn’t treated in the festival sense that it is today and Hogmanay was the time for friends and family to get together to celebrate the solstice and exchange gifts.  Christmas was a normal working day in Scotland up until 1958.

First Christmas

The very first Christmas holiday celebrated in England is believed to have taken place in York in 521 A.D., by none other than the mythical King Arthur, whose forces marred the celebrations with their retaking of the city.

source: anglotopia

What can you connect to the following words? Can you fill in the table?

Key:

———————————————————————————————————————————

Túlzás nélkül mondhatjuk, hogy nagyon könnyedén, sőt zseniálisan bánsz az anyanyelveddel. Ilyen könnyedén tanulsz idegen nyelveket is? 

Tanulnék. Ha nem lennék lusta. Na jó, az angolt azért tanulgatom. Tovább. 

Mik a tapasztalataid, szigorú módszerességgel lehet jobban tanulni vagy spontán, az idegen nyelv közegében mozogva felszedni magunkra azt?

Sponta városát kedvelem, Spontán egész jól haladtam a nyelvekkel… 🙂

Szerintem ez valamelyest alkati kérdés. A natív közegben történő nyelvtanulás kicsit felnőttkorú anyanyelvtanulás. Nekem mindkettő segített. Angol szakos gimibe jártam a Toldyban, de angol nyelvű közegekben mindig jócskán megrendült a korábbi alaptudásom. Persze most is inkább a tudálékos, közepes nyelvtani szintű, szerethető konyhanyelvet művelem.

A nyelvben és a nyelvtanulásban szerinted mekkora szerepe van az utánzásnak és mekkora a kreativitásnak?

Hú, jó kérdés. Az utánzás is lehet kreatív, sőt, minden utánzás. Csak az a kérdés, hogy mennyire. Senki nem a mennyből szállt le, egy kivétellel. Amink van, kaptuk és/vagy tanultuk valahonnan. Nem teremtünk, hanem alkotunk, vagyis hozott anyagból dolgozunk. Tehát ki mit hoz ki belőle…

Mennyire vagy otthon az angol nyelv világában? 

Azt már elmondtam, hogy mennyire, most inkább arra válaszolok, hogy mennyire szeretem. Nagyon. Pragmatikus, leegyszerűsítő, modulokból áll, legalábbis ahogy én érzékelem, főleg az amerikai változata. Abban sorsszerűség és talán többféle előjelű küldetés is van, hogy ez lett a világnyelv. A magyarral azonban nem vetekszik, mondom én. 

Bár… mit tud domain… 🙂

Mennyire idegen neked egy idegen nyelv? 

Nem annyira. Az őseim több helyen megfordultak, mint a Volánbusz járatai, úgyhogy járatos vagyok ebben-abban, mint az ementáli.

Hogyan lehet az idegenséget leküzdeni, ha egyáltalán lehetséges vagy fontos ez?

Sehogy. Majd leküzdődik, ha hazaértünk innen idegenből.

Szeretsz angolul beszélni? 

Szeretek, bár kérdés, hogy olyankor milyen nyelven beszélek. 

Átalakítja az ember mondandóját az, hogy egy másik nyelv eszköztárát használja? 

Lehet. Például most válaszadás közben a forestben joggolok és gyönyörködöm a landscape-ben. Úgyhogy felejteni mádzsár kicsit.

A szavak teremtő erejét másként tapasztaljuk meg egy másik nyelven?

Minden bizonnyal, de szeretnék ott tartani, hogy ezt élőben megtapasztaljam.

Szerinted mennyiben igaz, hogy a „nyelvében él a nemzet”? 

Nagyon. A nyelv gondolkodás, élet. Múlt, jelen lenyomata. Jövő keresése.

És vajon, ha az ember a nyelvében él, amikor idegen nyelvet beszél, akkor ezek szerint másként is él?

Szinte bizonyosan. Egy amerikai-magyar barátom, Farkas Dezső, lelkes kutatója az ott élő magyarok kettős identitásának. Ajánlom e témával nagy számban foglalkozó cikkeit a prehryfarkas.blog.hu oldalon.

Próbáltál már angolul szövegeket írni, énekelni? 

Esetleg átültetni a saját dalaidat, szövegeidet angolra? Vagy ez ‘mission impossible’?

Hajjaj, de még mennyit, sajnos szerény sikerrel. Ha jól tudom, az említett sorozatból hat film készült el. József Attilával szólva „a hetedik te magad légy”, szóval Mission Impossible 7. Azért szinte lehetetlen küldetés, mert annyira más a valóságismeretünk, a történelmünk, a világlátásunk, majdnem mindenünk. Nyilván születtek kiváló műfordítások, de ha már József Attilát említettem, ki tudná elmondani és mit jelenthet egyáltalán a ’Nagyon fáj’ mondjuk a Szilícium-völgyben vagy akár Texasban, de mondhatnám Manchestert, Fokvárost, Sydneyt, vagy éppen Honolulut is. Ott nemigen van olyan élményanyag, amiből egy ilyen vers kinő. Mindazonáltal szeretem a lehetetlent próbálgatni, úgyhogy nem adtam fel szövegeim angol nyelvbe történő átemelésének kísérletét, ezért a jelen interjút is ilyen irányú lehetőségként értelmezve kérem az esetlegesen vállalkozó kedvű, nagy tudású tisztelt olvasót, ha netán kedve támad a dologhoz, azt a szerkesztőségben jelezze.

Igaz-e hogy a rock, a pop igazán csak angolul tud megszólalni?

Inkább úgy mondanám, ahogy angolul szól, úgy egyetlen más nyelven sem.

Az Illés, a Kex, Cseh Tamás és még sokan mások azért is alkottak kiválót, mert nem egyszerűen adoptálták az angolszász beat zenét, hanem zeneileg is magyarították, honosították. 

A szövegeidben a nyelvi leleményesség kivételesen magas fokát valósítod meg. A hétköznapi beszédben mennyire vagy kreatív, mennyire játszol akkor is a nyelvvel? 

A dalszerzés, a költészet a legkevésbé sem hivatalos jellegű tevékenység. Ez egy létszemlélet, amelyben a napi működés nem válik el élesen az alkotómunkától, úgyhogy ez a játék folyamatosan része mindennapjaimnak.

Idegen nyelvet, mondjuk az angolt, az ember mennyire tud hasonló kreativitással használni, mint az anyanyelvét?

Ha megszerzi benne a jártasságot – amelybe az előzőekből fakadóan a teljes gondolkodásmód is beletartozik – akkor tud, és erre számtalan kiváló példa van a kultúrtörténetben.

Vannak-e az angol nyelvhez kötődő kellemes vagy kellemetlen élményeid?

Ifjonti éveimben egy – még a jelenleginél is – kezdetlegesebb angoltudással az élettörténetemet mondtam el egy rendkívül nagy tekintélyű bibliatanító, Derek Prince és csoportnyi tanítványa körében Jeruzsálemben. Épp valami olyasmit akartam mondani, hogy Isten megbocsátotta bűneimet és a „forgive” helyett a „forsake” szót használtam, amit némi értetlenséggel és vegyes derültséggel fogadtak hallgatóim.

Voltak-e jó tanáraid?

Igen, gimnáziumi osztályfőnököm és egyben angoltanárom, Dr. Prékopa Andrásné kiváló angol nyelvtanár volt. Mostanában időnként Kertész András barátom oktatgat, illetve különböző utazásaim, munkáim és egyéb kapcsolataim révén igyekszem autodidakta módon fejlődni.

Mi az, amit szeretsz, és mi az, ami nem annyira tetszik az angolban?  

Ugyanazt, az egyszerűséget.

Jó-e, hogy az egész, de legalábbis a fél világ angolul beszél? 

Nem tudom, de ez van.

Meg kell-e védenünk az anyanyelvünket az angol befolyástól?

Erre a kérdésre Neohunglish című dalversemben keresem a választ:

„Itt tanított hébe-hóba édesanyám szépre jóra,

aztán meg maga az élet az Apple-re, a Windows-ra.

Csak a save-re emlékezem,

az első boldog lájkra,

villogott a gépezetem

mikor felmentem a site-ra.

Germán, székely, szlovén, rutén

egy néven van, ami domain,

.org vagy .com vagy mit tudom én,

legyen bármi, csak már ne mém.

Próbálok itt művelt lenni

meg egy kicsit júzerfrendli,

nem bénázni, lúzerkedni,

nem értem, de úgy kell tenni.

Mert az ember analóg, nem pediglen digitális,

igen még, ha furamód rendszeresen imitál is

és így lehet majd öngól

a frissen szerzett angol

pláne, ha otthonról

messzebb elcsatangol.”

A teljes dal meghallgatható a YouTube-on.    (https://youtu.be/I4-MCtF4De4)

Van-e olyan angol szó, kifejezés, mondat, ami nagyon a szívedhez nőtt?

„However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”

Romans 4:5

„De a tettei alapján senki nem lesz elfogadható Isten számára. Bíznia és hinnie kell Istenben, aki a bűnös embert a hite alapján fogadja el.”

Róma 4:5 (Egyszerű fordítású Biblia)

Dezsényi István és Salánki Ágnes interjúja az 5 Perc Angol Magazin 2021 decemberi számában jelent meg

The Queen’s death set in motion Operation London Bridge, a collection of plans including arrangements for her funeral, and Operation Unicorn, which set protocols for the Queen’s death occurring in Scotland. The United Kingdom is observing a national mourning period of 10 days. A state funeral service will be held at Westminster Abbey on 19 September 2022 at 11:00 BST, followed by a service later that day at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The Queen will be interred in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at St George’s. The occasion of her state funeral will be a national bank holiday in the UK.

The Queen lay in state in Westminster Hall and the public were able to view the coffin, which was displayed on a catafalque. Throughout this time, the coffin was guarded constantly by the King’s Body Guards and the public was able to file past to pay their respects. In addition to the Imperial State Crown, the Sovereign’s Orb and the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross were placed on the coffin and the Wanamaker Cross of Westminster has been placed at its head. Both the BBC and ITV were offering a livestream of the Queen lying in state for those who were unable to attend at Westminster Hall.

A very lengthy queue formed to view the lying in state, with long waits. The Queue, as it became known, was a social phenomenon in itself. Many commentators noted the traditional cultural belief that the British are good at queueing. Queueing began 48 hours before the Hall was opened to the public. The queue reached at least 4.6 miles (about 7,6 km) in length, with an 8-hour wait. The Government set up a live tracker showing where the end of the queue was. They also set up over 500 public toilets, water stands, and first aid stations. Venues along the way have also opened their facilities.

The state funeral is set to be held at Westminster Abbey at 11:00 BST on 19 September 2022. This will mark the first time that a monarch’s funeral service is held at Westminster Abbey since George II in 1760, and the first state funeral in Britain since that of Winston Churchill in 1965.

On the day of the funeral, the coffin will be moved from Westminster Hall at 10:44 BST to Westminster Abbey on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy and in keeping with tradition of every state funeral of a monarch since Edward VII, the carriage will be drawn by 142 Royal Navy sailors, as the King and other members of the Royal Family as well as members of the King’s household walk behind.

The coffin will arrive at Westminster Abbey at 10:52 BST. The Dean of Westminster David Hoyle is expected to conduct the service, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Secretary General of the Commonwealth will read lessons at the ceremony. The prayers are to be said by the Archbishop of York, the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and the Free Churches Moderator. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will deliver the sermon and the Dean of Westminster will give the blessing. At 11:55 BST, the “Last Post” will sound and the attendees will observe a two-minute silence at the Abbey. During the national two-minute silence, no flights will be landing at or departing from Heathrow. The singing of the National Anthem will mark the end of the ceremony at 12:00 BST. The coffin will then be taken in a procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch on the State Gun Carriage, led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and followed by the King and members of the Royal Family. Big Ben will toll each minute as the procession continues and minute guns will be fired from Hyde Park by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. At Wellington Arch, the coffin will be transferred with a royal salute to the State Hearse for the trip to Windsor.

The Queen’s body and the body of Prince Philip, who died in 2021, will be interred in a private family service in the later evening in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, at St George’s alongside the bodies of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and the ashes of Princess Margaret.

BBC One will be covering the funeral from 08:00 to 17:00.

source: Wikipedia

Besides speaking fluently, he also writes without mistakes and sings in a uniquely beautiful way in Hungarian. As he says – his second home is Dunavarsány (town of Hungary), he loves Kontroll (Hungarian comedy) creamy mushroom soup (Hungarian speciality) and has read Tüskevár (Hungarian novel for children). He tells US diplomats of the Foreign Services Institute, coming to Hungary, stories about his experiences in the country.   

In Washington on a Hungarian language lesson, in an intermediate group, Éva Zsuzsanna Trembácz noticed a student who was far more ahead in speaking skills during the introduction. She could only catch some small stylistic mistakes in his speech – but nothing more –  that showed that he was not a native speaker. She was informed later, that András Lincoln learnt Hungarian super-fast (circa 18 months) at the age of 23 as an autodidact with minimal help from teachers. He learnt mainly from the Internet and most of all: he tried to speak with Hungarian natives as much as he could. 

His great-grandfather left Hungary (Palló, Transcarpathia) with his friend from the neighbouring house at the age of 16. Sometime later, his little brother followed, and they tried their luck in the US – Pennsylvania. As many Hungarians at that time, he worked in a coal mine and sent money back home regularly to buy land as soon as possible. But WWI obstructed the plan, and he never saw his home and the rest of his family again. His wife was from the local Hungarian community in the neighbouring village.

As a Hungarian descendant, András only learnt some Hungarian folk songs from his grandma, and they used some Hungarian expressions in the family, like: “Hol a macska?” “A macska itt van” – “Where is the cat?” “The cat is here”. He has always been interested in his Hungarian roots but they became truly important to him at the age of 23. He started to learn the language on his own, first with the help of a disk and the Internet. Later he began to speak with Hungarians living in Washington. In 2012, he spent nine months in Hungary where he finished a 5-week Hungarian course and started to use the language in real life. He made many Hungarian friends, he was active in the Calvinist community of Dunavarsány and watched the, popular classic Hungarian films – e.g. Indul a bakterház, Tanú, Valami Amerika etc. His favourite actors are Sándor Csányi and Szonja Oroszlán. As he admitted, reading in Hungarian is not his strength – he has read classic books like Vuk and Tüskevár, but gave up on Aranyember from Jókai.  His friends in Hungary love him because of his openness and curiosity. He has learnt a lot of slang expressions from them.

According to Mrs Trembácz, he only makes one mistake in three hours and has only one question about an expression he does not understand. András says, he has already been in embarrassing situations, e.g., when he said a story about an old woman who “barked” at them (scolded them – “leugatott”) because of the loud music – he had only heard the slang version of this word before. He did not want to be offending; he just had not known the primary meaning of the word. 

According to András, the secret of learning a language is very simple: “I simply wanted it so much that I worked for it as much as I could. At home in front of the computer, I learnt the grammar, I spoke Hungarian in the car loud, and at work, I looked up the new words, lyrics, poems, right after I heard them when I had some time.”  He only felt strong motivation from inside, and it was also important that nobody pressurized him. He learnt new grammar rules when he felt ready for that. He learnt Spanish at school for four years, but he can barely communicate in that language. 

In his interview with Mrs Trembácz, he spoke about how he sees Hungarians. He does not like generalisation and stereotypes, e.g. that Hungarians complain a lot. He found the Hungarians hospitable and kind, but he also added that he romanticised everything that was Hungarian. Later he understood why everyone says we like complaining, but he has always been used to it in a way, thanks to his grandmother. 

“It is not about pessimism, but rather about many people who like meddling in others’ business. If more than one person are sitting in a room and there is a problem, everyone has their own solution, and they keep convincing each other about their own truth. At some point, you can hear: Why are you doing it like this? Are you crazy?”

In the beginning, he was often invited to eat “stuffed cabbage” (Hungarian dish) and drink “pálinka” (Hungarian shot). Later, as he became more and more “Hungarian”, these invitations gradually ceased. As András sees it, Hungarians respect older people more than Americans, and the communities are better. He grew up in Annapolis (Maryland), in an area, inhabited by people of the middle class, where normally white, well-to-do families go to the local church. According to András, it is uncommon that poor African-American families choose to join the congregation there – meanwhile he experienced nothing like this in Hungary.

He firmly states that the cuisine is much better in Hungary than in the US. Back in America, they only eat meat, potatoes and vegetables all the time in different forms. He loves it when a dish includes more ingredients, and this way becomes diverse, e.g., stuffed cabbage, rakott krumpli (something like potato casserole), different soups etc.

András Lincoln works as an actor in the US and plans to come back to Hungary as soon as he can. But until then he keeps singing songs in Hungarian on YouTube.

The song he sings is about loyalty to the homeland, which brought back the great-grandson of a 16-year-old Hungarian boy to his roots.

Source: wmn.hu, dailynewshungary.com

For Christians, Jesus is ‘the light of the world’, but we can’t celebrate his birth today in quite the usual way. People of all faiths have been unable to gather as they would wish for their festivals, such as Passover, Easter, Eid, and Vaisakhi. But we need life to go on. Last month, fireworks lit up the sky around Windsor, as Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, providing joyous moments of hope and unity — despite social distancing.

Remarkably, a year that has necessarily kept people apart has, in many ways, brought us closer. Across the Commonwealth, my family and I have been inspired by stories of people volunteering in their communities, helping those in need.

In the United Kingdom and around the world, people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year, and I am so proud and moved by this quiet, indomitable spirit. To our young people in particular I say thank you for the part you have played.

This year, we celebrated International Nurses’ Day, on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. As with other nursing pioneers like Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale shone a lamp of hope across the world. Today, our front-line services still shine that lamp for us – supported by the amazing achievements of modern science – and we owe them a debt of gratitude. We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and draw comfort that – even on the darkest nights – there is hope in the new dawn.

Jesus touched on this with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The man who is robbed and left at the roadside is saved by someone who did not share his religion or culture. This wonderful story of kindness is still as relevant today.  Good Samaritans have emerged across society showing care and respect for all, regardless of gender, race, or background, reminding us that each one of us is special and equal in the eyes of God.

The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light, as has the sense of purpose we can find in coming together to worship.

In November, we commemorated another hero – though nobody knows his name. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior isn’t a large memorial, but everyone entering Westminster Abbey has to walk around his resting place, honouring this unnamed combatant of the First World War — a symbol of selfless duty and ultimate sacrifice. The Unknown Warrior was not exceptional.  That’s the point. He represents millions like him who throughout our history have put the lives of others above their own, and will be doing so today.  For me, this is a source of enduring hope in difficult and unpredictable times.

Of course, for many, this time of year will be tinged with sadness: some mourning the loss of those dear to them, and others missing friends and family-members distanced for safety, when all they’d really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand. If you are among them, you are not alone, and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers. 

The Bible tells how a star appeared in the sky, its light guiding the shepherds and wise men to the scene of Jesus’s birth. Let the light of Christmas — the spirit of selflessness, love, and above all hope — guide us in the times ahead.

It is in that spirit that I wish you a very happy Christmas.

The origins of the speech

Originally the speech was called the King’s Christmas Message as first it was delivered by King George V Queen Elizabeth II’s grandfather in 1932 and was meant to be a one-off event to inaugurate the BBC World Service. The idea for a Royal Christmas speech has come from Sir John Reith, founder of the BBC. King George V addressed the 52 member states in the Commonwealth of Nations with the following words through the radio: “I speak now from my home and from my heart to you all; to men and women so cut off by the snows, the desert, or the sea, that only voices out of the air can reach them, men and women of every race and colour who look to the Crown as the symbol of their unity. To those who are celebrating this day with their children and their grandchildren, to all, to each, I wish a happy Christmas. God bless you.” The broadcast time of 3 pm was chosen so that all parts of the Commonwealth could listen to the broadcast at a convenient and reasonable time. Today, the message is broadcast to New Zealand at 6:50 pm local time, Australia at 7:20 pm local time, and Canada at midday local time, as well as live on the Royals’ YouTube channel. The first Christmas speech, written by the famous writer Rudyard Kipling, was 251 words long and lasted about three minutes. Today’s Christmas speeches are written by Queen Elizabeth II herself and are about 656 words on average, lasting approximately 10 minutes.  

From radio to podcasts, and 3D

The first Christmas speeches were broadcast on the radio from a makeshift studio at Sandringham connected by telephone lines to the Broadcasting House. The broadcast was extremely well received. Over 20 million people listened to it. The King’s slightly gravelly voice was particularly well-suited to his image as the ‘grandfather’ of the empire.

But the Christmas speech didn’t become an annual tradition immediately. There were no Christmas messages in 1936 and 1938. The custom of the yearly Royal Christmas Address was established in 1939 when King George VI wanted to reassure people and boost morale during WWII.

Queen Elizabeth II gave her first Christmas address in 1952 and has given a speech every year since then apart from 1969 when instead of broadcasting a Christmas message she wrote one having felt that she and her family had been in the spotlight too much after the release of the documentary film ‘Royal Family’ in connection with the investiture of the Prince of Wales. The Queen wrote ‘I want you all to know that my good wishes are no less warm and personal because they come to you in a different form.’

Since 1952 the Queen has delivered 66 Christmas Day speeches so far and is going to broadcast her 67^th speech this Christmas. In 1952 when she took over from her father she did so with the following words: “Each Christmas at this time, my beloved father broadcast a message to his people in all parts of the world. Today I am doing this to you who are now my people. My father and my grandfather before him worked all their lives to unite our people ever more closely and to maintain his ideals which were so near to their hearts. I shall strive to carry on their work.” In 1952 the broadcast was shown on television for the first time, but with sound only. In her first Christmas address, the Queen described the British Commonwealth and Empire as an “immense union of nations” which “can be a great power for good – a force which I believe can be of immeasurable benefit to all humanity.”

The first real televised broadcast took place in 1957 as by then, television was part of most homes. The Christmas broadcasts from then on were illustrated with scenes from all over the Commonwealth. In her first televised Christmas broadcast, the young Queen of 31 was wearing a particularly elegant dress and was speaking from her office. A photograph of Prince Charles and Princess Anne, aged 9 and 7, was visible on her desk.

The broadcast was first shown in colour in 1967. 2006 was the first year when people could download the speech as a podcast. In 2012, Sky News produced the Christmas address in 3D. Viewers were able to see the Queen wearing their 3D glasses. On a “behind the scenes” video we can even see the Queen watching herself on the screen with 3D glasses instead of her usual rimless spectacles. To accommodate to the digital world nowadays the broadcast is live on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram as well as on television and the radio.

The Queen’s Christmas speech typically reflects on the year past and the major events that have happened in it. She also mentions her own personal milestones of the year, talks about the real meaning of Christmas, and gives a message of love and peace. The speech addresses global, national, and personal events. The planning of the speech begins months before Christmas as soon as the Queen decides on the theme for the year. It is recorded a few days before Christmas and is embargoed until 3 pm on 25^th December.

Fascinating facts

– Elizabeth II was only 14 years old when she first delivered a speech on the radio to encourage the children of wartime Britain in 1940. The speech is available on YouTube.

– The Christmas message attracts huge crowds of viewers. In 2015, the Queen’s message was the most-watched Christmas Day TV programme in Great Britain, pulling in 7.5 million viewers in total, beating Downton Abbey’s 6.9 million.

– The length of the speeches varies from 4 minutes 52 seconds in 1977 to 20 minutes 29 seconds in 1978. The average length is about 10 minutes.

– The images of the Queen delivering her speech have some characteristics. The same props are there year after year: a Christmas tree and an illuminated lamp to express the hope of the light of Christmas. Christmas cards are displayed in the room and there are framed photographs in the background.

– Apart from the colour of her hair, the Queen has changed remarkably little over the years. She always wears plain dresses in a different colour every year, brighter when she was younger (green, pink, yellow), softer or darker now (all shades of blues, purple or very dark red) with the same type of jewels: a watch, pearl earrings, three strings of a pearl necklace and a different brooch each year.

– During the 1957 broadcast, some viewers complained that their radio transmissions were interrupted by an American police radio frequency and they could hear a police officer saying “Joe, I’m gonna grab a quick coffee.”

– According to mathematicians at UCL, the Queen has said 42,000 words during her Christmas addresses. But only 3,991 of them are distinct. That means that she has used 90% of the words more than once in a Christmas address. The Queen likes to repeat the phrases ‘shining example’ ‘weak and innocent’ and ‘the Commonwealth.’

– The three keywords in all her Christmas messages are “Family, Commonwealth, and Christmas.”