Fireworks are not the focus of New Year’s Eve celebrations all over the world. What suitcases, grapes, shortcrust pastry, red underwear and playing cards should bring for the new year.
In France attracts many culinary delights on New Year’s Eve. Good food is simply part of the New Year’s Eve in the country for self-proclaimed gourmets. Lobster, foie gras, champagne, salmon, oysters – these kinds of delicacies should not be missing in many households. But private fireworks are canceled – that is not common in the first place and in the capital Paris – just like the firing of fireworks – it is even prohibited.
A huge play of colors is organized at the triumphal arch. Hundreds of thousands celebrate the New Year on the neighboring Champs-Elysees and in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Also in Greece there are hardly any fireworks. On the other hand, the Greeks indulge in gambling on New Year’s Eve. In the traditional card game “31”, winning with family or friends is considered an omen of financial luck in the new year. Losers, on the other hand, are said to be lucky in love. Lamb, goat and pork are usually served along with salads, pies, wines and of course ouzo. The focus is on the basil bread: whoever finds the disc with the hidden coin can look forward to a happy new year. Also on December 31, children go from house to house singing “Kalanta Xristougenon”, a song announcing the feast day of Saint Vassilios. The central celebration begins in Athens under the landmark, the Acropolis.
In London (UK) some 100,000 people are expected to watch fireworks at the Ferris wheel on the banks of the Thames in the government district of Westminster. One or the other traditional meat pie will certainly be given away there. After the restoration, the bells will ring at midnight as usual – and of course the song “Auld Lang Syne” will also be sung.
In Madrid (Spain) locals and visitors traditionally celebrate under the bell tower at the Puerta del Sol. It is customary to eat twelve grapes at midnight – one for each bell. This should bring good luck in the new year. Many Spaniards also wear red underwear on New Year’s Eve to boost their love life for the next twelve months. Also in Italy and Mexico is this the custom. But before going to bed, many Spaniards have a dish of lentils waiting for them – the dish is said to bring prosperity.
Also in Mexico On New Year’s Eve, people eat twelve grapes on the last stroke of the clock before midnight – each represents a wish for the New Year. They have also put a suitcase in front of the door, which should provide a lot of travel in the coming year. In some southern regions, dolls representing the old year are set on fire. Anyway, shooting takes place all year round in Mexico – at weddings, birthdays, feasts of patron saints and Catholic processions. A clean house is also important: old things are thrown away to symbolically leave the past behind.
peak of New Year’s Eve celebrations New York is the party in Times Square every year. With over a million in attendance and a star-studded show airing across the United States, this is the country’s largest New Year’s Eve party. At exactly midnight, everyone watches the “Ball Drop” – a lit ball that slides down a pole from a tall building. It’s raining confetti and the songs “Auld Lang Syne” and “New York, New York” blare from the speakers.
The wealthy Gulf Emirate traditionally welcomes Dubai Ring in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display around the world’s tallest skyscraper, the 828-meter Burj Khalifa.
In Scotland New Year’s Eve (“Hogmanay”) is celebrated with lots of whiskey and black buns – a type of fruit bread. The “first foot” is also celebrated: friends step over the threshold of friends and neighbors with whiskey, a piece of cabbage, a black bun, salt and a shortbread (a sweet shortcrust pastry). Slainte!
Japanese eat the extremely “dangerous” rice cake (“Mochi”) with the New Year’s soup “Zoni”. Swallowing this sticky dough leads to countless deaths from choking every year – eating it is said to guarantee a long, happy life.
However you celebrate New Year’s Eve – krone.at wishes you a happy new year and a successful, healthy year 2023!
Source: Krone
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