Romy News - 16 March 2024

Hey you! Today is Saturday, and I’m sure you’re already wondering how you can make this day amazing. Together, we’re going to travel and discover the green and festive traditions of Saint Patrick, slip between the icebergs of the Antarctic and the Arctic, and end up giggling at the antics of a funny mustached man, Charlie Chaplin. Let’s go!

Have you ever seen lots of people dressed in green running after shamrocks? Weird! Today, we are going to find out together why Saint Patrick’s Day puts everyone in a good mood!

Saint Patrick is a super famous patron saint of Ireland. He lived a really long time ago, in the fifth century! Kidnapped by pirates when he was little, he eventually became a missionary in Ireland after an action movie-worthy escape from slaver. Every March 17th, the Irish and Ireland fans celebrate Saint Patrick in his honor, as it is said to be the date he bid farewell to the world.

Now, hold on tight to your shamrock! That’s the English word for “clover”. Saint Patrick, with his three-leaf clover, explained the complicated concept of the Christian Trinity to people who had no idea. Plus, we wear green because Ireland is known as the “Emerald Isle”, and it’s also the color that repels leprechauns, mischievous little men from Irish legend!

Around the world, Saint Patrick’s Day is a time to party with parades of brass bands and people dancing in the streets, listening to Irish music concerts that make you want to move your feet to the rhythm. Maybe you’ve seen some cool events organized where you live, haven’t you?

During this celebration, you often see impressive people doing Irish tap dancing or playing the bodhrán, a type of Irish drum. And then, we get to taste mouth-watering dishes like Irish stew or soda bread.

Want to be like the Irish? Easy! You can make your own clover out of green paper or try a few Irish dance steps with your family. How about you, are you going to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day tomorrow?

Saint Patrick’s Day is not just a fun celebration full of green, music, and dances, but it’s also a time when we can learn more about Irish culture and enjoy these traditions together!

And now, let’s answer a chilling question: What’s the difference between the Arctic and the Antarctic? Let’s embark on an expedition to the coldest places on our blue planet! These two realms of snow and ice hide a whole bunch of frozen secrets we’ll discover together.

Antarctica, at the bottom of the globe, is a real continent, a huge piece of land covered with a thick layer of ice. It’s almost like a giant ice island. There are no cities or countries down there, just scientists studying the ice and animals like penguins and seals living near the ocean. A true ice desert!

The Arctic, completely on the other side of the globe, at the North Pole, is not really a piece of land. It’s a large frozen sea, an ice sheet, surrounded by countries like Canada and Russia. People do live there, in places like Greenland and Alaska.

And the animals? In Antarctica, you’ll only see emperor penguins walking as if they were wearing oversized slippers, while polar bears and foxes roam around in the Arctic. When it comes to plants, Antarctica is a bit like the desert zone of the garden: not much besides ice and a few shy mosses. On the other hand, the Arctic is like a winter garden with some flowers and mosses holding on despite the cold.

Living there isn’t a walk in the park. In Antarctica, temperatures can drop to -60°C, so cold you won’t even feel your toes.

Cold enthusiasts like Roald Amundsen have explored these places, and today, super smart scientists study how our Earth is changing due to climate change.

Come on, young budding scientist, start a freezing experiment! Put water in a tray before bed and leave it in the freezer. The next day, voilà! You’ll discover how water turns into ice, just like at the poles!

Antarctica and the Arctic are more than just ice and cute bears. They are vital duo for our planet’s climate. Why not talk to your parents about why we need to protect our frozen poles and what global warming is doing to them? They have lots of things to tell you!

We finish our episode today with a cinema topic. Have you heard of Charlie Chaplin? Well, this man was a true cinema legend! With his character of “the Tramp,” he completely revolutionized the art of making people laugh without saying a word. He wasn’t just a funny actor, he was also a brilliant director who made a name for himself during the silent film era.

But who was Charlie Chaplin really? Born in London in 1889, he started performing at a very young age and skyrocketed to success in the United States. He was a versatile artist: an actor, director, writer, and even a music composer. Basically, a talented all-rounder!

His character, the Tramp, was a little man with a funny mustache, a bowler hat, a cane, and a walk that would make you burst out laughing. He touched hearts worldwide and became an icon of comedy.

In silent films, not a word was spoken, everything was conveyed through gestures and expressions, and guess what? Charlie Chaplin was the master of this art! His films, even today, still make us laugh and sometimes even shed a tear.

And it wasn’t just for laughs, no no! In films like “The Kid” or “City Lights,” he offered a critical look at society, and he even teased the politics of his time with “The Great Dictator,” poking fun at Nazism. What bravery!

Why not try to play out a silent scene yourself, in the style of the Tramp? With your family or friends, try to guess the emotions without a word. What does it make you think about the importance of humor, even when things are tough?

So remember, this Charlie Chaplin was a comedy genius, someone who knew how to make people laugh like no one else. Discover his films with your family, and I promise you, you’ll share moments of joy and unforgettable laughter!

And there you have it, the end of our fabulous Saturday expedition! We partied in green with Saint Patrick, shivered in the icy expanses of Antarctica and the Arctic, and ended up doubled over with laughter at Charlie Chaplin’s antics. I hope you’ve learned some fun stuff. Don’t forget to share your favorite topic with me on Instagram; I’m super curious to know what your favorite moment was! See you Monday for more incredible discoveries. Bye bye!