MIDSUMMER'S EVE IN SPAIN

The traditional midsummer party in Spain is the celebration in honour of San Juan (St. John the Baptist) and takes place in the evening of June 23. It is common in many areas of the country. Parties are organised usually at beaches, where bonfires are lit and a set of firework displays usually take place. On the Mediterranean coast, especially in Catalonia and València, special meals like Coca de Sant Joan are also served on this occasion. In Alicante, since 1928, the bonfires of Saint John were developed into elaborate constructions inspired by the Fallas of Valencia.

Midsummer tradition is also especially strong in northern areas of the country, such as Galicia, where one can easily identify the rituals that reveal the pagan beliefs widespread throughout Europe in Neolithic times. These beliefs pivot on three basic ideas: the importance of medicinal plants, especially in relation to health, youth and beauty; the protective character of fire to ward men off evil spirits and witches and, finally, the purifying, miraculous effects of water.

LONDON UNDERGROUND

The Charing Cross, Euston & Hampstead Railway (CCE&HR) platforms were opened on 22 June 1907, by David Lloyd George, President to the Board of Trade, and later Prime Minister.

The London Underground (the Tube) is the oldest metro system in the world, upon which nearly 1 billion journeys are made each year. If you want to travel fast around London, taking the tube will get you to your destination quicker than bus or taxi. Tube trains generally depart every 3 or 4 minutes, less frequently at weekends and late at night.

There are currently 275 stations on 12 lines, and 253 miles of route, mainly double tracked, of which 20 miles are in shallow tunnels and 93 miles in deep tunnels. To travel between the surface and the underground stations there are 408 escalators and 112 lifts.

Each line on the underground has a name and is colour coded to make it easier to plan a route. There is a total of 12 different coloured lines in the London Underground system.

WORLD REFUGEE DAY - 20th JUNE

2013 Theme:  "Take 1 minute to support a family forced to flee"

The United Nations' (UN) World Refugee Day is observed on June 20 each year. This event honors the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homeland under threat of persecution, conflict and violence.

People honor the spirit and courage of millions of refugees worldwide on World Refugee Day. It is a day to recognize the contributions of refugees in their communities. Organizations such as Amnesty International and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) often get involved in various activities for the day. They may include:

• Activist protests against using former prisons to detain migrants and asylum seekers.
• Screenings of films about the lives of asylum seekers living in a western country.
• Organization members visiting asylum seekers in detention to offer moral support.
• Letters or petitions to governments on the treatment of asylum seekers in detention.

Some communities dedicate an entire week that includes World Refugee Day to encourage people to think about the lives of refugees and the human right to a secure place to that one can see as “home”.
 

RESOURCES

 

DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?

Speaking English can be easy.
You'll find interesting material in the photo link.  For more speaking opportunities: Talk to Someone in English!

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY : 5TH JUNE

World Environment Day is held each year on the 5th of June. It is one of the main vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and raises political attention and actions.

Watch this amazing BBC video on man and our planet. Human Planet

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2013
 

USE SUNSCREEN THIS SUMMER