OK, many people will have celebrated Valentine’s Day just a few days ago, and many people may already be thinking about the Easter period in the Christian calendar. But how often do you hear the greeting ‘Happy Pancake Day’? And if you have ever heard, have you discovered the meaning and the customs behind this British version of another popular name for this commonly celebrated tradition?
In some languages the words ‘Mardi Gras’ will be more common, and the events on this day will be slightly similar. Well, Mardi means Tuesday, and Pancake Day is really a kids’ nickname for Shrove Tuesday. That doesn’t mean much to everyone, and anyway, isn’t Mardi Gras a big party or street festival? This Tuesday, 17th February, was Pancake Day 2015 in UK. In many countries Mardi Gras was celebrated. In fact, both of these occasions are really just the start of a period of celebration with roots in Christianity and in preparation for the Easter period, when Jesus Christ is said to have died.
There’s lots to be discovered about world traditions in this topic, though for many people it’s just about discovering some new fillings or topping to put in or on their pancake. Often this pancake is a dessert, but more recently, like a crepe, we can savoury pancakes for lunch or dinner. We expect most British children have come from school expecting something sweet in the pancake after dinner.
Here are some articles about the day and the recipes:
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/17/how-to-eat-pancakes?CMP=fb_gu
http://www.educationuk.org/global/articles/how-to-celebrate-pancake-day-uk/
Please go ahead and read about it, maybe even celebrate it at home! We thought it would make a change from Valentine’s greetings to everyone in February. We believe this really sums up the character of this month, but last year it was in March 2014, next year it could be in either of these months….it depends on a certain calendar, it depends on what days Easter falls on each year. Remember, Pancake Day is always a Tuesday.
Bon appetite.
And finally some good resources for teachers, among many others online:
http://www.esolcourses.com/topics/mardi-gras-pancake-tuesday.html
