How the New Year is celebrated in different countries of the world
In Russia and Ukraine, the New Year is celebrated with traditions like the Christmas tree, Ded Moroz (Father Frost) and Snegurochka (Snow Maiden), watching the movie "Irony of Fate," Olivier salad, champagne, mandarins, making wishes at the stroke of midnight, and festive fireworks, all accompanied by the consumption of alcoholic beverages. While this is a typical celebration, the essence is clear. How do people celebrate the magical holiday of New Year in other countries around the world?
France
Traditionally, Père Noël (the French Santa Claus) visits every home on New Year's Eve and leaves gifts in children's shoes.
It is customary to prepare a New Year's pie with a hidden bean! During the pie eating, the one who finds the bean becomes the winner, granting them the right to give orders as the "bean king," and everyone else must obey accordingly.
Typical dishes served at the table include smoked ham, various salads, pastries, fruits, candies, and wine. However, regional culinary traditions add their own nuances:
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In northeastern France, goose is often the main festive dish, while in Burgundy, turkey with chestnuts is traditional.
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In Brittany, buckwheat pancakes with sour cream are traditionally served, while Parisians prefer oysters, lobsters, pâté made from goose liver (often shaped like a Yule log), and champagne.
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For example, in Provence, 13 desserts are served - an ancient custom symbolizing Christ and the 12 apostles. The most famous and obligatory dessert is the Christmas cake Bûche de Noël (in the shape of a log).
Italy
Celebrations in Italy start on December 6th. According to beliefs, a kind fairy named Befana flies in on New Year's Eve. Using a small golden key, she opens the door to the children's room and fills the stockings hanging by the bed with gifts. If a child misbehaved during the year, Befana leaves ash and coal.
The Italian equivalent of Santa Claus, Babbo Natale, arrives on a sleigh and enters the house through the chimney. This benevolent figure loves sweets, so an offering of milk and treats is prepared for his arrival.
On New Year's Eve, there is a tradition in Italy to throw out broken dishes, old clothes, and even furniture at the last minute, followed by throwing fireworks, confetti, and sparklers - everything is thrown out of the window! It is believed that throwing out something old on New Year's Eve means you'll buy something new in the coming year.
Regarding the New Year's table: the festive menu must include nuts, lentils, and grapes - symbols of longevity, health, and prosperity.
Germany
In Germany, Santa Claus arrives to children on a special mode of transportation - a donkey! Before bedtime, children leave a special plate on the table for the gifts Santa Claus will bring, and they put hay in their shoes as a treat for the donkey.
On New Year's Eve, there is a tradition where as soon as the clock strikes midnight, everyone, regardless of age, climbs onto chairs, tables, and armchairs and, with the last stroke, collectively and joyfully "leaps" into the New Year.
Of course, luck in the new year is inevitable if the New Year's table has fish dishes, with carp being the most popular dish in Germany.
Japan
Japanese people try to welcome the New Year in completely new clothes, as wearing new clothes will bring luck and health in the new year.
On New Year's Eve, children place a drawing depicting their dream under their pillow, and their wish is believed to come true.
At midnight, the sound of bells rings from temples, indicating the arrival of the New Year. According to Buddhist beliefs, a person is burdened with 108 harmful passions, so each bell strike on New Year's Eve dispels one of these calamities. In the morning, the Japanese go out to meet the sunrise, congratulating each other with the first rays and exchanging gifts.
House facades are decorated with straw to protect them from evil spirits.
The Japanese equivalent of Santa Claus is called Segatsu-san - translated as Mr. New Year.
But most importantly for the Japanese is to laugh in the first second of the New Year — then joy will accompany them throughout the year.
Brazil
It's impossible to imagine any significant holiday in Brazil without a vibrant carnival, loud music, and lively celebrations. New Year's is no exception.
According to Brazilian traditions, New Year is, above all, an opportunity to appease supernatural forces with a lively carnival. That's why on New Year's, everyone must bring sacrificial offerings to the sea goddess, the African goddess Iemanja, identified with the Virgin Mary. For this purpose, all Brazilians bring candles and white flowers to the beaches. Burning candles on wooden boats are set on the sea waves, and wishes are made. The longer the candle burns, the more likely the wish will come true.
Wishes are also made by throwing flowers into the water, and if the tide returns the gift to the shore, it's better to try again next year. The celebration always looks mesmerizing as Brazilians dress in costumes of a specific color — depending on the saint who will rule during the new year.
Author: Marina Verhovtseva
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