reading 9

Hello! My name is Alex. I live in Ukraine. My family is large. I live with my parents and grandparents. I've got two elder sisters Olga and Anna. Now they are students of Kyiv University and they visit our place only on holidays and some family occasions. Each Ukrainian family has its own customs and traditions. Ours is not an exception. My parents are very sociable and friendly people, so from time to time our house is full of guests. Our favourite holidays are New Year, Christmas and Women's Day. My mother thinks that at night of New Year's Eve the old year with all its troubles leaves us forever and the New Year with all our hopes and expectations knocks at our doors. On the eve of January the 7' we start celebrating Christmas. It's a real ritual for ray grandparents. My granny always gets ready for this religious holiday beforehand. On Sviat Vechir we gather around the table for a holy supper of twelve symbolic dishes. We are not allowed to start supper until the first star appears in the sky. We begin our supper with the kutia (a dish of honey, poppy seeds and wheat kernels boiled in pure rainwater). There are no meat and meat products on

our table. My granny is a wonderful cook, so we enjoy her varenyky, holubtsi and desserts made from dried fruit and honey. After tasty supper we go to bed. Early in the morning we go to church to take part in the church service. When we come back home we give each other presents and wish "Merry Christmas'". All boxes with the presents are located under Christmas tree. It's a nice time when my sisters are at home and we've got a lot of happy moments together.

Alex has got two younger sisters.

His parents like communicating with people.

Their beloved holiday is Easter.

A holy supper contains twelve symbolic dishes.

There are a lot of meat dishes on the table on Sviat Vechir.

The next day the family go to church.

All the presents are located in the wardrobe.

The sisters usually spend Christmas at home.

His parents are sociable and friendly people.

His siters are pupils.

On the eve of January the 7th they start celebration Christmas.