Do you know that a Russian singer Alia Pugachyova wrote music to one of Shakespeare's sonnet. Now listen to it (см. приложение).

II

Mark Twain (1835—1910)

Появляется портрет Марка Твена.

P1: His real name was Samuel Clemens. He spent his boyhood in the small town on the Mississippi River. He was a bright lively boy. He could easily swim across the Mississippi, he was the leader in all the boys' games.

P2: When his father died twelve-year-old Samuel left school and went to work. For about ten years he worked as a printer, then he decided to be a pilot on the Mississippi and he worked more than 4 years.

P1: His first short story was published in 1867 under the name of «Mark Twain». That pen-name was taken from the call of the Mississippi pilots when they measured the depth of the river.

P2: His most famous stories are: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Prince and the Poverer; are the most favourite books of children all over the world.

P1: He is known as the greatest American humorist and his works are full of humour. Now you'll see one of his famous jokes (см. приложение).

III

Jerome K. Jerome (1859—1927)

Появляется портрет Дж. К. Джерома

P1: Jerome К. Jerome is a well-known English writer. He was born in a poor family. His father died when he was twelve. The boy did not finish school. He went to work to help his family. Jerome tried different professions and for three years worked at a theatre, at that time he began to write articles for news papers, plays for the theatre and short stories. But nothing was published. In 1886 Jerome K. Jerome wrote a comedy which was successful. Then the writer began to publish articles and short stories. Jerome K. Jerome became famous when his novel «Three men in a boat» was published. Here is an extract from the novel (см. приложение). Now you will see a scene from the film «Three men in a boat».

IV

Robert Burns (1759—1796)

Появляется портрет писателя Р. Бёрнса.

P1: Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet, was born on January 25, 1759 in Scotland. His father was a poor farmer. There were 7 children in his family, and Robert was the eldest. His father tried to give his children the best education. Robert was sent to school at the age of six, but his father couldn't pay for his sons. Robert and his brother went to school in turn. When not at school, the boys helped his father in the fields. Robert's mother knew many Scottish songs and ballads and often sang them to her son. Robert Burns was fond of reading. His favourite writers were Shakespeare, Kergussin, Smolten. Robert Burns began to write poems when he was fifteen. In his poems he described with love and understanding everyday things, people, he sang of the woods, fields of his land.

P2: Robert Burns's poems were popular, but he always remained poor. He worked hard and destroyed his health. He died at the age of thirty seven. The poetry and songs of Robert Burns are famous all over the world. The most popular poems are: «A Red, Red Rose», «My Heart's in the Highlands», «Auld Lang Syne», «I Love My Fear». Now listen to the poem «My heart's in the Highlands» (см. приложение). Robert Burns wrote the words of the song Auld Lang Syne. Scottish people sing this song when they celebrate the first of January, New Year's Day. Burn's poems are known and loved by million of people. They are dear to us, too (см. приложе­ние). Now listen to the song.

P1: Dear friends! Thank you for your attention! We hope you have liked our party. See you next time.