New year’s day is celebrated on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar. This calendar is widely used across the world. Gregorian calendar marks New Year’s Day as the “Feast of Naming and Circumcision of Jesus”. Even in the Julian calendar the New Year day was dedicated to Janus, god of gateways and beginnings, for whom January is also named.
January 1 represents the fresh start of a new year after a period of remembrance of the passing year. This day is traditionally a religious feast, but since the early 1900s it had also become an occasion to celebrate, for people from all faiths.
There is a great diversity in New Year’s celebration all over the world. So let’s make ourselves familiar with the traditions and customs of different areas of the world :
1. In European countries, the New Year is greeted with private fireworks. In Canada, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, people gather on beaches and run into the water to celebrate new year. These events are known as Polar Bear Plunges.
2. In England there are many celebrations. The street party on Princess street in Edinburgh is one famous example.In London, New Year officially starts when the Big Ben stikes twelve. Thousands gathering on the bank of the Thames enjoy the fireworks around the London eye.
3. In Philippines, Noise is made on New Year’s Eve with firecrackers and horns to dispel evil spirits to prevent them from bringing bad luck to the coming new year. And a basket of twelve different round fruits is displayed to symbolise prosperity in coming twelve months.
4. In Russia and the other 14 nations from the former republic of the Soviet Union, the celebration of Novi God is greeted by fireworks and drinking champagne. In Moscow, the president of Russia counts down the final seconds of the “old year”. The Kremlin’s landmark Spasskaya Clock Tower Chimes in the new year and then the anthem starts. It is customary to make a wish while the clock chimes.
5. In the United States, it is a tradition to spend this occasion together with loved ones. In the country’s most famous New Year’s Celebration in New York City, the 11,875 pound (5,386kg), 12 foot diameter (3.7m) “Times Square Ball” located high above the Times Square is lowered starting at 11:59 pm on New Year’s Eve with a countdown from 60 sec until the last, when it reaches the bottom of its tower. Hundred of local imitations of ball drop occur throughout the United states.
6. In France, weather prediction on New Year’s Eve predicts your year. Wind blowing east, fruit will yield; wind blowing west, fish and livestock will be a bumper; wind blowing south, there will be good weather all year round and wind blowing north there will be crop failure.
7. In Spain it is customary to have 12 grapes at hand when the clock strikes 12 at midnight. One grape is eaten on each stroke. If all grapes are eaten within the period of strike, it means you will be blessed with good luck in the new year.
8. In Greece and Cyprus, families and relatives switch off the lights at midnight, then celebrate by cutting the Basil’s pie traditionally known as “Vasilopita” which usually contains one coin. Whoever gets the coin is expected to have a good luck in the coming year. After the pie, a traditional game of cards called “Triantaena” is followed for the eve.
9. In Nassau and the Bahamas, the Junkanoo parade is a tradition for New Year.
10. In Davos, Switzerland, the final match of the Spengler Cup Ice Hockey Tournament is held on New Year’s Day.
