New Year's Eve is not all about fireworks and loud celebrations at midnight. All over the world, in different countries and cultures, completely unknown traditions and rituals have been cultivated over the years. Making offerings, light festivals and giving money to each other are just a few of them. We present to you how they celebrate the New Year in other countries.
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habit New Year celebration It dates back to ancient times, when Julius Caesar set the beginning of the new year on January 1. The Julian calendar remained in effect in Europe for many centuries until it finally gave way to the Gregorian calendar. However, the appointment of the date itself does not explain the reason for the grand celebration on December 31.
Most sources say so We owe our New Year's Eve party to Sibyl's Prophecy, which marked the end of the world in the year 1000. The prophecies of the Queen of Sheba were the result of a meeting between the ruling seer in the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula and King Solomon.
His confession was written by order of the king of Israel and concerned the future fate of the world. According to his prophecy, until the final end of the world, mankind will experience great suffering wars and natural disasters. exactly that Between the years 999 and 1000, the dragon Leviathan was to be awakened to destroy mankind.. So everyone expected a disaster. When, on the morning of January 1, 1000, it became clear that the world still existed and that nothing bad had happened, then Pope Sylvester II blessed Rome and the world. People took to the streets and started celebrating, and the Holy Father was recognized as a hero.
However, several centuries passed before they began to celebrate the New Year every year. The organization of the New Year holiday in Poland began in the 19th century. At first, only the richest strata of society celebrated, and then the tradition New Year's party He went under the roof.
In our country, we traditionally spend the New Year with family and friends, we meet the New Year together in the light of fireworks and sparkles. What are New Year's celebrations like in other countries?
Japan: traditional cleaning
IN In Japan, New Year's Eve is called “Omisoka”. And this is a time of intense preparations and symbolic rituals. Just a few days before December 31st, people try to finish any unfinished business by cleaning their homes and workplaces in a process commonly called “Osuj“.
This is not only a ritual of cleansing the physical space, but also a symbolic cleansing of the negative energies and problems of the past year. Osuj It is also a way to start the new year with a special purity of spirit and environment.
On New Year's Eve, families gather together to celebrate. It's hard to find open shops or restaurants because most places close early, giving employees time to go home and spend time with their loved ones. At midnight, as the clock strikes the last seconds of the year, many people go to temples to pray.
Iceland: Fireworks War
When I asked one of my friends who lived there for a long time iceland, The answer to how they celebrate the New Year there surprised me a bit.
“Fireworks,” I heard back.
As it turns out, Icelanders are big fans of pyrotechnics, and the first fireworks were set off at noon on December 31. There are even wars of sorts between neighbors or neighboring towns over who can set off the biggest fireworks display.
At 10:30 p.m., everything suddenly goes silent, and for an hour the streets and skies are quiet. Why this break? Exactly 22:30 Icelandic TV RÚV passes the so-called New Year Christmas scene (Áramótaskaup)., a hilarious recap of the past year. This includes but is not limited to mocking the political and social events of the past year.
The show ends at 11.30pm and then the fireworks return to the sky with a vengeance.
In Iceland we can also see a lot of New Year's bonfires where we celebrate the coming of the New Year.
Brazil: White clothes and offerings for Yemanja
IN Brazilian New Year's Eve, known as “Reveyon”, It is a magical time and full of traditions. One of the most recognizable practices is wearing white – this color symbolizes peace and harmony. White clothing is believed to bring happiness and purity in the coming year, which is why many Brazilians choose this color for this special occasion.
But that's not all – on the coast of Brazil, New Year's preparations often include paying tribute Yemanj, goddess of seas and oceans. People make baskets of flowers, often with food and drink, which are then offered to the sea. This practice, part of Afro-Brazilian religious traditions, symbolizes hope and blessings for the coming year.
New Year's Eve in Brazil is a time to celebrate together, unite communities and respect both tradition and nature, showing faith in a better future.
Vietnam: altars and offerings to the gods
few years ago I had the opportunity to be in Vietnam That's when the celebration was going on there Tết Nguyễn Đán – Vietnamese New Year. It was not planned in advance and I realized that everything was happening mainly because I had just arrived, all the shops and restaurants were closed and I had no place to eat for the first time on the new continent.
It was only after seeing the event posters that I learned that the New Year had just started in Vietnam and I was right in the middle of its celebration.
Tết Nguyễn Đán It is one of the most important and solemn holidays for Vietnamese people. It is celebrated according to the lunar calendar Tết It falls on the first three days of the new lunar year, usually from late January to early February in the Gregorian calendar.
Preparations for Tati begin several weeks before the actual celebration. Families clean their homes, buy new clothes, appliances and decorations to prepare for the New Year. Traditionally, a few days before TVietnamese people visit the graves of their ancestors, clean them and lay flowers and gifts to honor the memory of the dead.
One of the most characteristic elements of the holiday is “li xi” – the tradition of giving red envelopes with money to children and adults as a symbol of happiness, prosperity and blessings for the New Year.
You can meet them on the streets, in houses, in shops – practically everywhere Altars on which various things are offered to the gods. We can find traditional Vietnamese cookies as well as energy drinks and toys for example.
Nutrition also plays a big role. Tables are filled with traditional dishes such as “bánh chưng” (glutinous rice dish wrapped in bay leaves), “giò” (jelly pork) and “mứt” (dried fruit sweets) that are enjoyed as a family.
On the main day of the celebration, Vietnamese people go from house to house, visiting family, friends and relatives to express their wishes. They try to start the new year on good terms, forgive possible conflicts in the past and face future opportunities with optimism.
in the city streets There are festivals, parades, firework displays and traditional performances that attract crowds.. Entire cities are decorated with colorful lanterns, flowers and decorations, creating a unique atmosphere of joy and enthusiasm.
Spain: Grapes of Fortune
IN In Spain, it is customary to eat twelve grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve. This tradition has deep historical roots and dates back to the 19th century, when officials of the Royal Court of Madrid decided to encourage the consumption of the surplus grapes that should have been plentiful that year. Today it is an obligatory element of the New Year ceremony.
People gather in squares and houses, holding twelve specially prepared grapes, one for each bell rung at midnight. The goal is to eat each one exactly to the rhythm of the bell ringing. It is believed that those who manage to eat all the grapes in this short time will have a happy and prosperous year.
Nigeria: Rituals and Prayers
New Year's Eve in Nigeria is a time of intense religious rituals and spiritual concentration. Communities gather in places of worship, such as churches, where all-night services are held.
People pray, sing songs, give speeches and participate in various ceremonies, focusing on giving thanks for the past year and asking for blessings and protection for the coming year.
New Year's Eve In Nigeria, it is a time when communities come together in prayer and reflection. It is an opportunity to come together in faith and hope for better times ahead. These rituals reflect deep connections to the beliefs and traditions that are central to the country's communities.
However, there are places where New Year is celebrated otherwise. Many masquerades are organized, during which citizens dress up in animal masks and dance to the rhythm of energetic music.
India: Light and Festivals
IN New Year's Eve in India is an opportunity to participate in various festivals and joyful celebrations depending on the region and local culture. is one of the most famous Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated in different parts of the country. This is the time when people decorate their houses and streets with lanterns, oil lamps and colorful decorations.
Diwali, also known as the 'Festival of Lights', They are a time of celebration of joy, goodwill and community. Many families prepare for this day in advance by cleaning and decorating their homes, cooking traditional meals and throwing parties for family and friends.
This is also the time when a spectacular fireworks display is organized which attracts crowds of people who are excited and celebrate this unique occasion.
New Year's Eve in India It is a special time when communities come together for fun and colorful celebrations. The variety of festivals and customs adds a special charm to this period, which highlights the cultural richness of this country.
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