New Year Celebrations Around The World

The arrival of new year represents great joy. It is celebrated in many different ways. There are big public celebrations. The most famous are those in New York, Sydney, London and Berlin. At midnight there are beautiful fireworks. People of New York have the New Year's Eve Ball which moves down the flag pole at the Times Square. Big New Year parties can be held on beaches. One of the most famous is the one on the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

New Year's Eve Ball in New York

Instead of participating at such celebrations some people watch tv.
In many countries presidents or monarchs address the nation on the New Year's Eve. There are tv shows typical for the occasion. In Canada there is the sketch comedy troupe Royal Canadian Air Farce. Germans on the other side for many years enjoy in the Dinner for one. Some sport events are organized too. In São Paulo, Brazil they have the Saint Silvester Marathon (Corrida de São Silvestre).

Pummerin bell in Vienna, Austria

At midnight in Vienna, Austria you can hear the sound of what locals call the “Pummerin”. It is the bell of famous St. Stephen's Cathedral. What follows is the sound of the "Donauwalzer" (The Blue Danube) by Johann Strauss II. On the 1st of January there is the New Year's Concert by Vienna Philharmonics. This classical music concert includes works of from the Strauss family, but also from some other Austrian composers. The concert is held since 1939.

Music and dance are important for the celebrations in Poland too. The Warsaw Philharmonic Society organizes a famous ball in the castle built by Teutonic Knights in Golub-Dobrzyn, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. The ball is attended by “the man of the year”. Everything is done to get rid of the old year. So, some traditional pranks like for example smearing windows and doorknobs with tar are allowed.

Lot of delicious food is prepared for the occasion. Some food is typical for that special night. In Denmark people eat Marzipan ring cake (in Danish Kransekage). In the Czech Republic eating lentils or soup with small peas means good financial situation in the coming year. On the other side, it is considered bad luck to eat rabbit or chicken on the New Year's day. It is believed that by doing so good luck is going to leave you.

In Spain the New Year's Eve is called “Nochevieja” or “The Old Night”. In this country there is a special ritual performed during the new year countdown. People eat 12 grapes and make wishes for each chime of the bell. This act should bring you good luck in the new year. Similar ritual exists in some other Spanish speaking countries of Latin America. In Belgium children buy decorated paper and write their wishes for the new year. On new year's morning they read them to their parents and godparents.

Estonians think that their lucky numbers are 7, 9 and 12. It is believed that a person should eat 7, 9 or even 12 times on the last day of the year. This should ensure lot of food in the coming year. Not all food is eaten during these numerous meals. Little bit of food is left for the ancestor spirits who visit the house on the New Year's Eve.

In Romania people have a tradition known as “sorcova”. It is held on the 1st of January. Children sing a traditional blessing carol. While singing they use a stick decorated with some paper flowers to gently touch the adults' shoulder. After that some money is given to the children. On the same day some Romanians toss coins into the water. They believe that this will bring them good fortune during whole year.

Vasilopita

In Greece the 1st of January is not only the first day of the year. It is also the day of death of St. Basil. It is believed that he arrives in the night of the New Year's Eve and brings gifts for the children. They find them in their shoes. On the 1st of January Greeks also prepare “Vasilopita” or St. Basil's cake. A gold or silver coin is hidden inside the cake. The person who finds it is going to be happy during whole year.