In early times the custom was to start the New Year in the spring, when field work began. This existed for a long time a Russia. Only by a decree of Peter I in the year 1700 was it established to begin the year from the first of January, as was done in other Europen countries. However, the Christian customs in Russia were very closely bound with the customs of the heathens, where the festivals, which were called “svyatki” (Christmas-tide), preserved elements of the heathen rituals. What is this “svyatki”? It’s the time between Christmas and the Epiphany, when winter comes into its own. The frost grows stronger, snowstorms are fierce, and the days continue to be short. But from the 25th of December – from Christmas Day – the most worshipped chief of the heathen gods, the Sun, seemed to be born anew, and begins by seconds and by minutes to lengthen the day, to bring spring closer. It was said that the sun dons a new gown on that day, gets into a sled and sets off for warmer climates. According to an ancient custom, campfires were lit on that day in honour of the sun, and songs were sung, lauding it. Children slid down hills on sleds, snowmen were made and snowball fights took place. Domestic celebrations, feastings, and fortune telling were held. The hostess baked pies, and suckling pigs were roasted in ovens – this was considered the main festive food. Mummers strolled about the cities and villages, games with singing and dancing were organized, bears were led along streets on chains, and theatrical performances were given. People wished each other success, happiness and good health. One of the old customs that still remain today is fortune-telling on Christmas Eve. Of all the forms our ancestors used there was one of special interest – the pouring of wax. A candle was melted in a spoon over a flame, then swiftly poured into a dish with cold water. The congealed figure in the water would “tell” everything: one would see the face of a beloved one, a horrible fantastic mask, or something that suggested a distant journey. What naivete and touching purity there was in such prophecies: a girl would kick off a shoe, and where the toe of the shoe pointed was where she would wait for her bridegroom to arrive. In those days, there were “Marriage Fairs” everywhere, where prospective couples met and that is why the second half of the “svyatki” was especially noisy and merry. Folk customs, festive costumes and rituals going back to ancient times – this is a mighty stratum of Russian spiritual culture. 6. Find the key-sentences in each paragraph which can be used as a plan.