Band 5+: There will be a traditional celebration in your country and you want to invite your friend from an English-speaking country. Write him/her a letter and - invite your friend, - explain what happens at the party, - describe the tradition and why it's important in your country, - say why it is important for your friend to be there.

Dear Jack,

I hope this letter finds you well. Its been long time since we have met. I always cherish the moment during our college days where we used to talk a lot about the other country culture. Now it is a good time to visit India as the pongal festival is around the corner.

The pongal festival is celebrated to worship the sun god as a gesture of thanks. During this festival we used cook the pongal which is sweet and we celebrate together with the farmer who are centre figure of this festival. A week before the festival we used to white wash our homes with the strong belief of welcoming the good beginning.

The pongal festival is also a mark of beginning of new year according to tamil calendar. The tradition is followed more than 2000 years and I am proud that we are still following the same culture as per the historical texts. This can be best chance for your to witness and participate with one of our oldest culture in the world.

I would like to invite you and your parents for this event to join. Book your ticket in advance so that it is affordable and you are on time to the festival. It would be better if you can join us a week before so that I could plan for a tour in countryside and we can spend some quality time together.

Kind Regards,

Sethuraman Swaminathan