Unusual New Year's traditions from around the world. Unusual New Year traditions from different countries

New Year is a holiday celebrated all over the world. Every family celebrates this day in a special way. Each house has developed its own New Year traditions over many years or even centuries. And what can we say about the traditions of entire nations. We know little about what features of the celebration exist in distant countries, and sometimes this information is unreliable. Still, interest prevails. What is New Year's Eve in Sri Lanka? What New Year's traditions exist in Turkey?! This article will help to slightly open the curtain on the world of customs of various exotic and not so exotic countries.

Turkish New Year Traditions

Türkiye is a Muslim country, so the celebration of the New Year here has its own characteristics. Religion does not approve of either the Christmas tree, or candles, or Santa Claus, but this does not prevent many Turks from celebrating this European holiday. They call it Yilbashi, and Noel Baba brings gifts. The New Year's table in Turkey should burst with treats. Only here it is customary for them to serve not salads, snacks and various pickles, but pastries and sweets. And the most unusual, probably, is the performance at the table of a festive song-wishes, the melody of which terribly resembles the famous song “Happy Birthday”. This New Year in the country is quite quiet and calm, but the second New Year (Navruz Bayram) - spring - is more popular and is accompanied by a lot of traditions.

New Year Traditions in Kuwait

Kuwait is a distant country, whose traditions are not known to every layman. The New Year is celebrated here magnificently and in company: on this day it is customary to visit with the whole family. At the same time, men wear the brightest and most elegant clothes, and women - black and modest. Gender features continue with them during the feast: men and women eat separately in different rooms. In addition, the filling of the festive table is different for them. Strong floor in new year's eve pleases himself with hearty national dishes, and the weaker sex eats a variety of sweets. The traditional celebratory drink is "kahwa" - local coffee, which is brewed right during the feast.

For everyone on this day, the “right hand” rule applies - all actions must be performed only with the right hand so that the coming year is happy. At the table, it is undesirable to look into the eyes of the interlocutor, especially when he is eating. It is believed that breaking this rule will bring trouble to a person.

New Year traditions of Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani New Year has nothing to do with the holiday known to us. This celebration is celebrated in the spring and lasts 10 days - the first 3 days are male, and the remaining 7 are female. Navruz (the name of the holiday) is accompanied by a feast, during which seven dishes are placed on the table, the names of which have initial letter"WITH". Doors and gates must be left open so that guests can see that they are very welcome in the house. Traditionally, the eldest son of the family helps the guests wash their hands with flower water. Another custom is that the arrival of the New Year must be marked by a self-suspended egg, which is prudently placed on a mirror surface.

Indonesian New Year Traditions

Indonesia is another place rich not only in its unique culture, but also in the number of New Years celebrated. In total, three such holidays can be named: Nyepi, Hari Natal and Imlek. It was the result of a combination of Chinese, Indian and European traditions.

Enchanting performances take place during Imlek: New Year's costumed dances in huge masks, processions with torches and fire-eaters. Everyone gives handmade postcards with different wishes. This is a very noisy and spectacular holiday.

But Niepi is a holiday of silence and silence. Indonesians believe that the New Year can only appear in complete silence. In this regard, for a whole day in the cities, life stops, where nothing but silence is heard. This holiday is a real challenge to true talkers.

Hari Natal is considered closer to the classical holiday. But it's pretty debatable. After all, Indonesians decorate for the holiday nothing more than a palm tree. They themselves dress in bright (sometimes ridiculous) costumes and participate in folk festivals. And the tradition of “getting gifts” is very reminiscent of the Ukrainian fair entertainment associated with climbing a six-meter pole, where gifts are placed in advance.

New Year's Traditions of Chile

Chile is a place where representatives of different nationalities are gathered in one territory. As a result, there was a mixture of cultures and traditions. They are distinguished by their originality, and sometimes eccentricity. So in one New Year's Eve you can witness the most different customs. Here, a few minutes before the clock strikes, it is customary to pierce the ears of six-year-old girls and put on their first earrings. This symbolizes the beginning of a new (adult) stage in the life of a future woman.

Another tradition is also quite symbolic. Burning the straw scarecrow is, in fact, the disposal of all old problems and the purification of the spirit before the New Year.

And a completely inexplicable tradition has taken root in the town of Talco: to celebrate the holiday at the cemetery. All residents gather there to start celebrations with the spirits of their ancestors and receive their patronage and protection next year.

Mexican New Year Traditions

Mexico is a land of contradictions. It is considered at the same time the most unsafe place, and one of the most fun and suitable for relaxation. New Year in Mexico is exotic, which will delight you with its sparkling and energy. Piñata, arbolito, Magi pretzel and sorcerer kings - traditional attributes this event.

A piñata is a bright vessel filled with goodies, which is hung at an accessible height. Children and adults are enthusiastically engaged in breaking this trifle, stuffing their pockets with their prey.

Arbolito, the Mexican equivalent of spruce or pine, is not cheap. The tree is given an elegant look with the help of balls, angels and other decorations.

The Magi pretzel is a traditional New Year's dish in Mexico, which is decorated with nuts and white icing. A figurine of Jesus is baked inside it. The one who gets it is appointed the king of the evening.

The sorcerer kings are the Mexican answer to our Santa Claus, they are all busy with one thing - to give joy to children.

Korean New Year Traditions

Korea has two New Year holidays: the calendar New Year and the Lunar New Year. Moreover, the first one is nothing special and, in general, can go unnoticed. But the second is associated with a large number Korean traditions. This New Year in the country is celebrated in February, it is called Seollal. This day is filled with traditions that appeared many, many years ago, but are revered even now.

Seollal begins with offerings to deceased ancestors four generations kind. To do this, they set the table, light the incense burners and perform traditional bows.

Sebe is a custom that is rightfully considered the most family. It consists in bowing to all family members: from the oldest to the youngest (and in that order). After the bow, a gift is given in the form of sweets or a cash offering.

The festive table is a separate topic for conversation. In Korea, great importance is placed on the arrangement of dishes on the table. Treats are placed "according to Feng Shui": depending on the direction of the world and the color of the food. So red food is placed on the eastern side of the table, and white dishes on the western side.

Canadian New Year Traditions

Canada is a country of immigrants, and therefore it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to name a single traditional New Year's dish. But still, in many Canadian families it is customary to cook a completely unusual dish for the New Year - pea soup. It is boiled very satisfying, adding lard and sage for flavor.

And after tasting this dish, many Canadians take part in the "bathing polar bear". And if you mistakenly decided that they are, in fact, bathing the bear, then you will have to disappoint: the inhabitants of the country themselves change into bathing suits and take ice baths.

New Year traditions in Denmark

The people of Denmark celebrate New Year and Christmas with double zeal. Therefore, their kids receive gifts from two Santa Clauses at once: Ulemanden and Yulinisse. The Danes adhere to such customs as:

• Give children toys made of wood or plush in order to protect them from all evil.
• Wear a red cap to be lucky.
• For health and for long years life on the eve of the holiday to eat a carrot.
• Cut out more paper red hearts to let love into your life in the new year.
• Make and install a straw goat in the yard to protect the house.
• Bake a "Christmas boar" to bring good luck.
• Break old dishes on the doorstep of friends and neighbors so that they are lucky in the coming year.

By the way, many Danes are not averse to playing a game of bundles on a festive evening. Its rules are simple. All guests stock up on inexpensive small gifts wrapped in bundles, which are piled in the center of the table and begin to roll the dice. Those lucky ones who get the number "six" can choose any bundle. The game continues until the end of the allotted time. If the gifts have already been sorted out, and the supply of time has not yet been exhausted, then the gifts can be taken from those who have already won. True, the convolutions cannot be unfolded until the very end, which maintains a certain intrigue.

Greenland New Year Traditions

Greenland is an island in the north, which is called the home of Santa Claus of some countries and elves who help to make gifts. But in fact, this is a place where seals and deer live, as well as rather unusual traditions.

So, in Greenland you can get an extremely original item- an ice figurine of an animal or a person. And although such a gift seems short-lived, thanks to the local climate, it can last for several months.

But the most unimaginable for an ordinary ordinary person will probably be some traditional dishes:

• Kiviak (rotten seal meat stuffed with seagulls);
• The liver of seals and gulls that have not undergone heat treatment;
• Hakarl (rotten Greenland shark meat);
• Mattak (a thin layer of whale blubber).

The Greenlanders have only one New Year, but they celebrate it twice - at 20:00 and at midnight.

New Year traditions in Australia

Australians can be called lucky, as they celebrate the New Year the very first on the planet. In addition, their holiday takes place in the summer in the rays of the scorching sun near the metrosideros - the Australian equivalent of the Christmas tree. This tree is installed in their homes and yards, dressing up, however, is not accepted.

On January 1, almost all residents go to the beach for a traditional New Year's picnic, as they all sleep soundly on a festive night. On the same day, the surfing festival begins, which opens with Santa riding a board in a light bathing suit and a red cap with a flowing white beard.

Most countries of the world celebrate the New Year on January 1, just like we do. However, there are a number of countries in which the New Year falls on other dates, and is celebrated in a completely different way. So, for example, the Chinese New Year is celebrated during the winter new moon at the end of the full lunar cycle that has passed since the day winter solstice. According to the Gregorian calendar, it falls on one of the days between January 21 and February 21. By Chinese traditions New Year's Eve is one of the most important and significant family traditions. On the first day of the new year, the Chinese set off fireworks and burn incense sticks, which they believe can scare away evil spirits and drive them out of the house. In ancient China, the so-called beggar's festival was announced on this day, when anyone could enter the house. If the owner refuses this, the neighbors will turn away from him and look with contempt. According to the Chinese, on this day, nature awakens, the earth and the sprouts of life that it keeps come to life. In the evening, the Chinese celebrate the return of the deities home. According to legend, the deities visit the world of spirits and "give an account" of the past year, and then honor the memory of their dead ancestors. At first, the Chinese called this holiday "xinnian" (New Year). However, today, in order to distinguish this day from the European New Year on January 1, the Chinese have renamed it "Chunjie", which translates as "Spring Festival". This happened in 1911 after the Xinhan Revolution, as a result of which a new style of chronology was introduced in China.

A similar holiday is also celebrated in Mongolia. It is believed that the more guests come to the house on this day, the more successful and richer the year will be.

In Japan, bells are rung on New Year's Eve, a total of 108 times. Each stroke of the bell means one of the six vices: stupidity, frivolity, anger, greed, indecision and envy. However, according to the Japanese, each vice has 18 various shades, resulting in 108 bell strokes. There is also a tradition here to give postcards with the image of the animal whose year is coming. The decoration of the Japanese house in the New Year is kadomatsu, which translates as "pine tree at the entrance." Kadomatsu is made from pine, bamboo, and woven rice straws, and then decorated with tangerine and fern branches. Traditionally, little Japanese people receive their New Year's gifts on this day.

A very interesting New Year tradition exists in Myanmar. Here on this day, everyone you meet waters the other cold water. This is due to the fact that the New Year in Myanmar falls on the hottest time of the year. In the local language this day is called "water festival".

A bizarre mixture of rituals of Indian and African beliefs with a European flavor turned the Brazilian New Year into a ritual of rampant carnival and traditional worship of the ancient gods. While almost a million spectators on the beach of Copacabana watch the magical transformations of the lights taking off into the sky from rafts specially installed in the sea, in Laguna di Freitas, the world's highest floating Christmas tree, 82 m high, is illuminated by fireworks against the backdrop of the no less famous statue of Christ - The Redeemer who stretched out his hands to bless the glorious city.

In England, on New Year's Eve, the whole house is decorated with mistletoe sprigs, which is a great addition to the New Year tree. Bouquets of mistletoe are everywhere, even on chandeliers and lamps. The British have a very interesting tradition kissing a man who stands in the center of the room under a bunch of mistletoe.

It is a well-known Italian custom to get rid of all unnecessary things on New Year's Eve. On the first day of Christmas in Italy, they burn a Christmas log - a large wooden log that is brought into the house in advance. According to legend, it is believed that a burning log should slowly smolder until the New Year itself, in order to get rid of everything bad, to burn all the troubles that happened in the house in the outgoing year.

Jews also celebrate their New Year. Rosh Ha Shana (which translates as Head of the Year) is celebrated between September 5 and October 5 (163 days after Pesach - Easter). Jews believe that on the day of Rosh Ha Shana, the fate of a person is decided for the whole next year. How a person behaved on this day, so he will spend the whole next year. On the night of the Rosh Ha Shana holiday in Israel, everyone they meet is greeted with the following words: "May you be inscribed and subscribed to good year in the Book of Life!" Then 10 days of self-knowledge and self-repentance are read, which are called "days of returning to God." Believers these days dress only in light clothes and eat apples, dipping them in honey.

In Bulgaria, as in many other countries, the New Year is celebrated at home. At the beginning of the holiday, the youngest member of the family stands under the tree and sings New Year's carols, for which he receives gifts from all family members. When the clock strikes 12 times, the lights in the houses go out for a moment. This is the traditional time for New Year's kisses. Then the lady of the house cuts new year cake, which is stuffed with surprises. Whoever finds a coin in his piece of the pie will spend the next year in wealth. The same tradition of serving a cake "with surprises" is widespread in Australia and Romania.

In Germany and France, they also prefer to celebrate the New Year in a homely family atmosphere. In Germany, the whole family gathers at the festive table and the so-called Bescherung takes place - the traditional exchange of New Year's gifts.

In Austria, on New Year's Eve, it is customary to give porcelain or glass pigs, often in the form of a piggy bank. According to local customs, such pigs must certainly bring wealth to the one to whom they are presented.

In Sweden, on New Year's Eve, it is customary to give each other homemade candles, as here light symbolizes joy and fun. Swedish dads go out to take out the garbage and return in the guise of a local Santa Claus, who in Sweden is called Yul Tomten.

But Santa Claus can visit Icelandic children any day from 1 to 24 December. Knowing this, many try to behave well, because they know what they can find in their holiday stocking an ordinary raw potato instead of a gift.

Going to visit Spain on New Year's Eve, be sure to take a bottle of champagne and a piece of nougat with you. It is customary to put them in the New Year's basket, which is in every home.

But the Greeks, in addition to traditional baskets of wine and champagne, give each other a new deck of cards on New Year's Eve.

There are many wonderful traditions of celebrating the New Year among the former Soviet states. So, for example, in Moldova on the first day of the new year, grain is certainly scattered in all houses, which symbolizes a plentiful and fruitful year. In Latvia, the same symbolizes peas. Meeting the New Year, you must eat at least one pea. In Georgia, on the first day of the New Year, it is not customary to visit each other without an invitation. The owner himself invites those who, in his opinion, are associated with goodness. Such a guest should certainly bring sweets to the house. And in Armenia, on this day, it is necessary to congratulate all relatives.

According to ny.s-i-p.ru

Irina Nikishina
Entertainment "New Year traditions in different countries Oh"

Integrated direct-educational activity.

Entertainment"New Year traditions in different countries"

Event form: entertainment-game

Target: 1. Introduce children preparatory age With traditions of celebrating the New Year in different countries.

Tasks:

1. Expanding the horizons of children.

2. Creation of conditions for the manifestation of creative abilities.

3. Unity of the children's team

4. Expansion and activation of the adjectival vocabulary.

5. Development graphomotor competencies and hand-eye coordination.

6. To form the ability to analyze the distorted spelling of letters in the framework of the prevention of dysgraphic disorders.

7. Consolidation of the word-formation skill of adjectives in a comparative degree.

8. Formation of the ability to make a sentence with an adversative union "A" and according to a given pattern with verbs in the present, past and future tenses.

9. Automation of delivered sounds both in independent speech and with the help of selected speech material.

Equipment:

1. Tape recorder (music center, disk (Indian, Japanese, Tibetan, Hungarian, Bulgarian, Scottish, Iranian, Italian music, bells).

2. Elements of Indian, Japanese, Tibetan, Hungarian, Bulgarian, Scottish, Italian, Iranian costume, Santa Claus, magician

3. Props for competitions (a candle, a funnel, a bottle, a glass of water, a map, a plastic ruler, a paper kite, skittles, pipes, whistles, cards with numbers 1-5, notes for the competition "I'm dreaming.",scarves, balls, 5 coins

4. Cards for creating an image by dots.

5. Old things: doll, shoes, toy car, jacket, dress, pencils, coloring book, shorts, sweets.

6. A flat image of a pie on cardboard, divided into 8 sectors with symbols of professions (book, comb, syringe, pan, microphone, car, hammer and bricks, skates) on the reverse side.

7. Sweet prizes for all participants.

Preliminary preparation:

1. Project work « New Year's traditions in different countries»

2. Selection of costumes and music

3. Preparation of props for the event entertainment.

4. Create a presentation

Decor:

The hall is decorated with shining stars, snowflakes, balloons.

In the hall you can put up a Christmas tree, hang prizes on it. present: apples, sweets, gingerbread, nuts, tangerines wrapped in colored paper, small souvenirs.

Game progress entertainment: Music plays (Christmas story)

Speech therapist:

Hello, Dear friends! Outside the window, winter is the time of the most short days and most long nights. But we love this time of year. Why do we love winter? It is in winter that the New Year comes to us and with it a joyful mood, the most cherished desires come true, the most incredible miracles are possible.

Psychologist: And today we will make a trip to different countries of the world and learn, which New Year traditions exist in different parts of the world. Look at the screen, tell me what you see on the screen? Right! These are the flags different countries. What does the Russian flag look like? Name its correct location on the screen. (Children answer ... in the upper right corner). Now let's check if your answer was correct. (Slide 2 ... successively clicks are made and names appear above the flags). We now know what not only the flag of Russia looks like, but also the flags of others countries in which we will visit today.

Speech therapist: (3 slide)

Well, now, it's time to go on a journey on a magical self-propelled sleigh. (Everyone sits in the sleigh).

A globe appears on the projector screen. (Slide 4, flight over the ground, watch the slide for 50 seconds)

Speech therapist: (slide 5 - world map, India is highlighted) First a country, in which we will land - India.

(Slide - 6. Dancing Indians appear on the projector screen.)

(Slide - 7)New Year's night in India is not met at midnight, but at sunrise. On this day, it is forbidden to quarrel and get angry. It is believed that the whole year will turn out the way it began. You need to get up early, put yourself in order, slowly remember the past and think about the future. (Slide - 8) During the day, archery competitions are held, kites. The performances of the folk theater are especially popular and gather huge crowds in the streets and squares. And now you will meet with the famous Indian magician and magician, magician and fakir, the mysterious Raja. (Slide - 9)

(A magician appears in a long cloak, holding a black box with a hole in his hands. The magician bows, greets the guests, invites those who wish to take part in the competition.)

Mage (psychologist):

I suggest you see the mysterious, fabulous oriental night. To see it, you need to close one eye, and look into the round opening of the box with the other. So the miracle begins...

(The participant looks into the hole, for greater effect, a magician's cloak is thrown over his head. But he did not see anything there.)

Mage (psychologist):

Well, what did you see?

Participant: Didn't see anything.

Mage (psychologist) (outraged).

That is, how to understand it? You see darkness. This is the magical, mysterious oriental night! And now I will show you some tricks.

"Vagaries of the Flame"

The magician lights a candle, blows lightly on the flame, it deviates in the opposite direction. Then he takes the funnel, blows on the candle through the funnel. The flame is deflected towards the funnel. (Explanation in the funnel area is created reduced pressure, into which the flame is drawn). He puts a bottle in front of a burning candle, blows on it. The candle went out. ( Explanation: the air stream split into two streams, then joined and blew out the candle).

"Glass-non-spill"

The magician takes a glass of water, puts a card on the glass. Holding the card with his hand, he quickly turns the glass over and removes hand: Water does not pour out. (Explanation: air presses on the card and presses it against the glass).

Mage (psychologist).

And now I invite the spectator to help me perform tricks. (Those who wish leave.)

"Magic Coin"

The magician asks the participant to pick up one of the five coins, squeeze it in his hand and hold it. The coin is then placed on the table. The magician mixes them and finds the right one. (Explanation: the one held in the hands will be warmer than the others).

"Hand snake"

The magician offers to rub the plastic ruler on the wool and bring it to the paper snake: She will raise her head. ( Explanation: the ruler acquires an electric charge and begins to attract light objects).

Mage (psychologist).

Thank you for your attention! I say goodbye to you and wish you good luck in new year.

Speech therapist: (Slide 11) Let's move on, take our places in the magic sleigh! (On the screen the globe is Japan) (Japanese melody sounds)

(Slide - 12) In Japan on the eve new year, it is customary to give postcards with the image of an animal, under the sign of which the New Year begins. Before the holiday, you must also pay off all debts. (Slide 13) The Japanese consider the numbers 100 and 8 lucky, so in the temple about the offensive new 108 tolls of the bell announce the year. With the last blow, it is supposed to go to bed in order to get up before dawn, go outside and celebrate the New Year with the first rays of the sun. (Slide 14). New Year in Japan is not just a holiday, but like a common birthday. 108th beat new year's bells added a year to every Japanese. (Slide - 15) In the morning passes through the central streets traditional procession"Dancing Tiger". He is portrayed by four masked men dressed in colorful fabrics. (Slide - 16)

Psychologist: And now I invite you to take part in such a procession. To do this, everyone needs to stand one after another, put their hands on the shoulders of the person in front and hold him tightly. "Head" the tiger must be caught "tail".

(music sounds, Japanese, a game is being played)

Psychologist: (Slide - 17)

And also in Japan New Year's at night the children are busy drawing. There is a legend here that if you put a picture of what you dream of under your pillow, then the desire will come true. Here we are now painting.

A game: With eyes closed draw a house without lifting the chalk from the blackboard, or draw with closed eyes the tail of an elephant, the ears of a hare.

Speech therapist: And now, let's connect the dots by numbers in ascending order and find out what gifts you received. (Children work with individual cards) We answer with a full offer.

Psychologist:

Guys, just kindergarten received a letter on the Internet. But I can't understand anything. The text was written by some strange letters. (Shows the letter to the children)

Speech therapist: Let me see. So, of course, the Arabic letters are at the bottom, but at the top? because these letters can be deciphered (the inscription is made on the slide with distorted letters "Waiting for you to visit Iran"). Name the letters one by one in order (while the child names the correct letter, the distorted version is corrected on the screen for the correct spelling). Let's read what happened. What is written next? What are we going to do? (children's answers) Let's go to Iran! (On the screen the globe is Iran, Slide - 18 (Slide - 19)

Psychologist:

Guys, look who sent us a message! (Slide - 20). These are children from Iran. Some children in Iran are learning Russian and they have translated their writing into Russian. Let's read. “Greetings to you, friends, from the people of Iran. It is we, the people of Iran, who sent you New Year greetings, wishes of good luck, joy and prosperity. (Slide - 21). Let us share our warmth and kindness, and each of us will wish something to the children from Iran. To do this, you need to select a picture from the table, come up with a wish ( For example: be warm like the sun, be fast like a doe, say it and draw with your hand in the air a hieroglyph depicted near the selected picture. (Slide - 22) New Year in Iran is celebrated on the day of the spring solstice, which falls on March 21 or 22. Iranians celebrate the new year in a house cleaned to a shine. For meeting new year, every resident of Iran must purchase new clothes and shoes. (Slide - 22) On the streets countries thousands of bonfires are lit, in the fire of which "burn out" all the problems of the past year. To purify and secure happiness in the coming year, people jump over the flames campfire. (Slide - 23). In the New Year, the father of the family gives everyone beautiful clothes decorated with patterns. I suggest you do something similar. I invite guys.

A game: You will decorate the costumes of the two of you little things that will be found in the hall or begged from the audience. When the decorations are collected, the participants will be blindfolded and then they will act by touch. Whoever has the prettiest child wins.

Speech therapist: (Italian music playing).

We continue our journey on a magical sleigh. (Slide - 24). (The sound of broken dishes, crackling, rattle, rumble is heard).

What's happening? It must be an earthquake.

Don't worry friends! Nothing nothing bad happens. It's just the Italians celebrating the New Year. (Slide - 25). IN New Year's night from apartments to the most last minute of the old year, everyone throws away broken dishes, old clothes and even furniture. They are followed by crackers, confetti, sparklers. It is generally accepted that if New Year's night to throw away the old thing, then in the coming year you will buy a new one.

Speech therapist: (Slide - 26) If we throw things away, what are they like? (Old, unnecessary, broken, unusable, worn, full of holes, torn, ugly, dirty, etc.) But once these things were what ... (new, comfortable, beautiful, fashionable, working). We have good things, but we will throw them away, like Italians, in order to new year we got things even better. Repeat for me A: I had comfortable shoes, and will be even more comfortable. We answer with a full sentence (Beautiful doll, durable car, elegant jacket, bright pencils, long dress, interesting coloring, trendy shorts, sweet candy).

Psychologist: (Slide - 27). On the eve of new year and beyond Carnivals are held in Italy. (Slide - 28). All Italian children are looking forward to the sorceress Befana, who arrives at night on a broomstick and through the chimney fills with gifts children's stockings, specially hung on the fireplace. (Slide - 29) And at 175 Europe Boulevard, Rome, Italy, lives an Italian Santa Claus, whose name is Babbo Natale. And he sent you a very interesting music competition as a gift. It is called "dance of numbers".

Psychologist (explains the rules of the game).(Slide - 30)

All the guys stand in a circle, each takes a number from 1 to 8. On command "Started!" music sounds and everyone in the circle, holding hands, dancing, move in right side. But now the music stops, the presenter loudly calls the number, for example, "third!" At this command, a melody sounds - Russian, gypsy, lambada, lezginka, the participant under this number goes into a circle and dances. Then the game continues, another number or two are called at once. The game is being played.

Speech therapist: It's time for us to go on a journey again. We sit down on our magic sleigh. (Slide - 31). (On the screen the globe is Scotland. Scottish bagpipes sound).

(Slide - 32). A few days before January 1, musicians and singers take to the streets of Scotland, performing folk songs. All New Year's night street vendors sell toys, whistles, tweeters, masks, balloons. (Slide - 33). All family members gather by the fireplace, look at the fire, which symbolically burns all the hardships of the old year, think about the future, and when the hands of the clock approach twelve, the head of the family silently opens the door wide open - while the clock strikes, it is believed that the Old Year comes out and New included. And the Scots love to dance, arrange theatrical holidays, singing songs. We will also have fun and sing now New Year's ditties , take rattles and listen carefully, you need to say the last word in each line yourself. Pronounce all sounds clearly (children listen to the beginning of the line, finish the word and repeat the whole line, beating the rhythm with noise instruments).

Rose-rose-rose, come to us (Father Frost). Yah-Yah-Yah, carried gifts to (sleigh). Shke-shke-shke, all the gifts are in (bag).

Shka-shka-shka, get them out (bag). Shock-shock-shock, we'll read to you (poem).

Psychologist: (Slide - 34). Santa Claus - in Scotland - comes to every house and children play with him. Favorite game is hide and seek. I suggest that we do something similar.

1. Team members stand one after another, the next one puts his hands on the shoulders of the previous one, all except "guide", blindfolded, "conductor" must lead the team through the maze, bypassing the chairs, skittles. The goal is not to knock things down.

seeing off old year, the lights are turned off in the houses. When the clock strikes midnight, everything is plunged into darkness. In these seconds, many are trying to find Santa Claus in the dark and kiss him. Since, according to a comic belief, this portends special luck. (Slide - 37). As soon as the light comes on, festive table put Christmas cake with a secret: in each piece of it are hidden small items: nut (bite a hard nut into new year, coin (a win awaits you, a paper clip (a meeting with good friend, a foil ball (a brilliant idea will dawn, and if a rose branch comes across, there will be happiness in love.

We will now also tell fortunes on a pie (a flat cardboard pie is exposed, cut into sectors or cardboard pies, to reverse side which symbols of professions are glued - a book, a comb, a syringe, a saucepan, a microphone, a car, a hammer and bricks, skates) and find out your future profession. Take a piece and, in accordance with the symbol, tell who you will become and what you will do. For example, I have a pen, I will become a writer and I will write interesting children's books. (children's answers)

Psychologist: (Slide - 38). And there is one more surprise in Bulgaria. Everyone knows that in New Year's night dreams come true. And today, those who take part in the competition will be able to fulfill their dream "Dance of my dreams".

Girls and the same number of boys are invited. First, the girls take out notes from the basket and stand in a line in the middle of the hall. Then the boys choose notes from the baskets and stand in front of the girls. The first girl is then asked to read the note aloud. She is reading: "I dream of dancing with the best dancer in our school". The boy whose note says "best dancer", comes out and stands next to the first girl. So all other notes are read. After everyone is divided into pairs, the dance begins, to which everyone else joins.

Note texts for girls

1. I dream of dancing with the best dancer in our group.

3. I would like to dance with a famous film actor.

4. I want to dance with the sea captain.

5. I dream of dancing with a chef.

6. .I really want to be invited by the world champion in weightlifting.

The boys, respectively, have the best dancer, tiger tamer, famous film actor, sea captain, chef, world champion in weightlifting.

Psychologist: (Slide - 39)

The last point of our trip will be Russia. (Slide - 40). On this day in Rus', they were waiting for Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden.

Not many people know that our ancestors considered Santa Claus to be an unsightly, harmful old man who ran through the fields, shaking his long beard and causing bitter frosts with a knock. (Slide - 41). Therefore, it was customary to appease him. The eldest in the family looked out the window or went beyond the threshold and said: "Father Frost! Come to us to eat kutya! Freezing! Freezing! Don't eat our oats!" But having survived to this day, Santa Claus became kind. (Slide - 42). Santa Claus has been around for about 140 years. And not a single holiday passes without his participation.

The ringing of bells is heard.

Speech therapist:

Who is this driving along the road and ringing bells? Isn't Santa Claus? Let's call him together.

(Everyone is calling.)

Father Frost.

Hello! I was driving past, returning to the north, I heard your voices and decided to go to the light, congratulate you on the holiday and have fun with everyone. You are good, warm, fun. And each of you, probably, has his own cherished desire? Think it over, and I will now knock with a staff, and in new year, all wishes will come true. Goodbye now, it's time to go home while it's still cold outside. I wish you all the best in new year, see you soon!

Speech therapist: (Slide - 43)

Now it's time for us to say goodbye. It is unfortunate that the journey is over.

Psychologist:

But we hope that you will manage to keep the mood of fun, joy, expectation of something unusual for the whole year. We don't say goodbye to you, we say to you: "See you again!"

For some countries, the celebration of the new year is not only drinking and feasting, but also a great occasion to scare naughty children and tickle the nerves of adults. Breaking dishes, parades of mummers, getting rid of old furniture, as well as fights to the point of losing consciousness - all this happens on the New Year and here in Russia, you think, and you will be right. But! In other countries, all this happens because it was done that way, and not because someone went too far with alcohol.

Bulgaria: procession of kukers

The procession of mummers is a pagan ritual that has survived to this day and is popular in Bulgaria. Men dress up in frightening masks, hang bells on their belts, put on goat furs turned inside out, and arrange a carnival procession with dancing. The purpose of kukers is to exorcise evil spirits, and usually such games take place on the New Year and Shrovetide.

Denmark: Jump into the New Year and Smash the Dishes

On the last day of December, the Danes love to have a lot of fun and fool around. And they also have an interesting New Year's tradition: with the chimes, you need to find where you are, the highest point available - a chair, sofa, table - climb on it and with the last blow literally "jump" into the new year. In addition, the New Year is a time to strengthen friendships, so all year round they collect old china plates and mugs to smash them on the porch of relatives or close friends on New Year's holiday. They say it brings good luck, and the more pieces on your porch, the better.

Italy: throw away everything old

In Italy, on December 31, it is customary to throw away old things. That is, while we in Russia are slicing Olivier for the “Irony of Fate”, the Italians are sending clothes, dishes and even household appliances! They believe that if you get rid of something old on New Year's Eve, then something new will certainly appear in the coming year. So that there is something to throw away in a year ... They do the same in Argentina. True, instead of unnecessary things, calendars, bills and other documents fly into the bin. Dangerous tradition. What if the payment didn't go through? How then can you prove housing and communal services that the apartment was paid for in June?!

Micronesia: choose a new name

In Micronesia - a state in the northwestern part of Oceania - on January 1 of each new year, they change their name! Yes Yes! Given name. Well, you know, to mislead evil spirits. Imagine: on January 2 you are walking barefoot and in a light dress, and a childhood friend is meeting you. What her name is is unknown. However, she is confused. You move closer and whisper softly into each other's ears how you should now be addressed.

And be sure to create some kind of noise at the same time: clap your hands, hit a tree with a stick. So that the evil spirits do not hear anything!

Cote d'Ivoire: run with an egg in your mouth

In the Republic of Cote d "Ivoire, they believe in eggs! An egg for the inhabitants of this country in West Africa is a symbol of life. If you philosophize, the shell shows how fragile our life is. It is not clear why they arrange races with such fragile eggs on New Year's Eve Get on all fours, put an egg in your mouth and run, you have to come to the finish line first without damaging this very symbol of life!

Peru: fight

In Côte d'Ivoire they run with an egg, and in Peru, in the village of Santo Tomas, they fight. So to speak, they relieve stress in order to enter the New Year kind, calm and balanced. Everyone can participate - there are no restrictions either by gender or by The Takanakuy Festival is an official event, neither prison nor fines threaten fighters.

Also in Peru on New Year's Eve you can meet girls with willow twigs. So they are looking for suitors - whoever is offered to grab the twig, he got it. True, girls rarely find a mate for themselves, because the hands of the grooms are busy that night! They carry a suitcase and believe that in the New Year they will definitely go on a big trip. Yes! This is also a tradition.

Chile: Celebrate in a Cemetery

The inhabitants of this country celebrate the New Year ... at the cemetery! In the circle of relatives. Both the living and the dead. And the atmosphere is festive: lanterns, music… Romance! This tradition began over a hundred years ago. Of course, there is a legend: some children decided to spend the New Year with their late father and on the evening of December 31 they came to his grave. Since then, the gates of Chilean cemeteries open on New Year's Eve. So that everyone can celebrate the year with those whom they love, but who, unfortunately, are no longer alive.

Australia: ride the seven waves

Have you ever fantasized what the New Year would be like without snow and cold? For example, such as in Australia. Residents of the Green Continent, where the summer season is at this time of the year, celebrate the New Year by the ocean. They pitch a tent on the beach, make a fire and wait in an embrace with a surfboard. Those who believe in miracles (well, or can still stand on their feet) are trying at this time to jump over seven waves in a row - for good luck.

Holland: swim in the North Sea

The most cheerful and persistent people are the Dutch! Because on January 1 they swim and not just anywhere, but in the North Sea! And nothing that the water temperature is 5 degrees above zero, and nothing that a hangover ... On the contrary, a good way to recover after a stormy night. So, for the Dutch New Year you will need: a Schengen visa, a plane ticket, a swimsuit and a New Year's red hat with a pompom.

Cultural traditions of the New Year in different countries

New year in Russia

There are quite a few traditions of celebrating the New Year in Russia. But what's interesting is that most of them came from Western culture. This is explained, perhaps, by two reasons: firstly, the arrival of Christianity in Slavic Rus' completely, or almost completely, abolished the pagan traditions of celebrating the New Year and seeing off the Old Year. Secondly, new Western customs were imported into Russia by the nobility and nobility, which were subsequently adopted by the common people and became popular. Moreover, each era brought something new. From the times of Slavic paganism, we got mummers, buffoons and jesters. The era of Peter the Great and subsequent reforming rulers brought Christmas tree with toys, fireworks, Santa Claus and a New Year's table (pickles such as Olivier salads and vinaigrette were not known before, they managed with cereals and pies). And the country of the Soviets gave us Santa Claus with the Snow Maiden, the obligatory Champagne with tangerines on the table and the chiming clock.

New Year in England

In England, a bell announces the arrival of the New Year. True, he starts calling a little before midnight and does it in a "whisper" - the blanket with which he is wrapped up prevents him from demonstrating all his power. But exactly at twelve the blanket is removed, and the celebration turns on at full capacity. The people of Britain, when the clock starts to strike 12, open the back doors of the house to let out the Old Year, and with the last blow open the front doors to let in the New Year. It's called Letting in New Year("Entrance of the New Year"). In addition to the Christmas tree, the house is decorated with mistletoe sprigs. Bouquets of mistletoe are even on lamps and chandeliers, and, according to custom, you can kiss a person standing in the middle of the room under a bunch of mistletoe. In English houses, the New Year's table is served with turkey with chestnuts and fried potatoes with sauce, as well as stewed Brussels sprouts with meat pies, followed by pudding, sweets, fruits.

New Year in Austria

In Austria modern custom gifts and congratulations for the New Year was distributed as early as the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries. It is now customary to give figurines or send postcards with the traditional symbols of happiness; these are the chimney sweep, four-leaf clover, pig. Dinner on December 31 should be plentiful in order to live well in the New Year. Compulsory meat dish was jellied pig or pork. In Austria, it is believed that on New Year's Eve, to be happy, you need to eat a piece of a pig's head or a pig's snout; it was called "participating in swine happiness" (Saugluck teilhaftig werden). New Year's Eve Vienna is full of special charm. Huge Christmas markets are held in the squares, but the largest is on the Town Hall, in the center of Vienna. In the bazaars you can buy everything - from handmade clothes and jewelry famous designers to straw stars and Christmas decorations.

New Year in Australia

New Year in Australia starts on the first of January. But just at this time there is such a heat that Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden deliver gifts in bathing suits.

New Year in Belgium and the Netherlands

In Belgium and the Netherlands, the custom is widespread, the meaning of which is that, by the behavior of a person on the first day of the New Year, they assume that he will have in the coming year. Therefore, they tried not to borrow anything on this day, to put on something new, etc. In order for there to be prosperity in the house all year, it was also necessary to have an abundance of food on New Year's Eve.
New Year's Day is a happy holiday for children as well. On this day, children congratulate their parents on the New Year and read to them pre-prepared congratulatory letters written on a special, decorated bright colors and ribbons of paper. The Flemings and Walloons go home on New Year's Eve " kind angel or the Christ Child, who place sweets under the pillows of sleeping children.
There is another widespread custom in the Netherlands and Belgium in other countries - the election of the king of the holiday. To do this, the housewives bake a pie into which the bean is baked. The one who gets a piece of the bean pie becomes the king for the whole holiday. The king himself chooses his queen and retinue: court jester, nobleman, etc.
In Brabant and West Flanders there is another way of choosing a king. 16 special so-called royal postcards (Koningsbriefs) are made, which depict the king, his courtiers and servants: adviser, kravchiy, ambassador, singer, actor, cook, etc. In the village, such postcards are often drawn by hand. Then those present at random take one postcard, and in this way the roles of the festive evening are distributed. The King and Queen, crowned with golden paper crowns, preside over the evening. All their gestures and actions should be repeated by those present. Their power continues throughout the day of January 6, which passes in fun entertainment and jokes.

New Year in Burma

New Year in Burma begins in April (between April 12 and 17; o exact day celebrations are announced by the Ministry of Culture by a special decree, and the celebrations last for three days), on the hottest days there. And for a whole week people pour water on each other heartily. There is a New Year's festival of water - tinjan.

New Year in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, they traditionally celebrate the New Year at home. Before the start of the holiday, the youngest in the house stands near the Christmas tree and sings carols to the guests. Grateful relatives and guests give him gifts. The most interesting thing begins with the 12th chime of the clock. At this time, the lights go out for a moment in the houses for New Year's kisses. Only after that the hostess begins to cut the cake with surprises baked in it. If you got a coin - expect wealth, a branch of a rose - personal happiness. The same surprise cake tradition is common in Romania and Australia. On New Year's Eve, after the feast, sticks are made from dogwood (survachka). Survachka is decorated with a red thread, heads of garlic, nuts, coins, prunes and dried fruits. With survachki go to the guests. They enter the house and pat them on the back of the owners. Such pats promise good luck, health and prosperity to the house.

New Year in Brazil

In Brazil, the New Year celebration is called Iemanja. On New Year's Eve, the inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro go to the ocean to make offerings to the sea: most often these are flowers on small wooden ships. Gifts are placed in small boats and sent to the sea in gratitude for last year and good luck for the coming year.

New Year in Hungary

New Year's Eve - uj ev - in Hungary does not have the same significance as Christmas, although some Christmas customs were observed at this time. In Hungary, in the first second of the New Year, they prefer to whistle - moreover, using not fingers, but children's pipes, horns, whistles. It is believed that it is they who call for joy, well-being. And when washing in the morning, instead of washing, they rub their hands with coins so that they do not transfer in their hands all year. In preparation for the holiday, Hungarian New Year's dishes include beans and peas, apples, nuts, garlic, and honey to sweeten life.

New Year in Venezuela

Meeting the New Year in Venezuela is a special event. All the relatives get together and cook la hallaca, one of the very hearty and spicy meals that the entire household eats during New Year's Eve. Everyone wishes each other happiness in the new year and forget all past grievances.

New Year in Vietnam

In Vietnam, the lunisolar New Year is called Tet. This family celebration, during which all quarrels are forgotten, insults are forgiven. The Vietnamese decorate their homes with miniature tangerine trees with tiny fruits. Vietnam celebrates the New Year on January 1st.

New Year in Germany

In Germany, people of all ages, as soon as the clock begins to strike midnight, climb onto chairs, tables, armchairs, and with the last blow together, with joyful greetings, "jump" into the New Year.

New Year in India

The traditional New Year, which is celebrated on January 1, is far from being the starting point of the new calendar year for all countries. Hindus, for example, celebrate this holiday more than four times a year - this is their national feature. The materials of Internet sites also say that in India on New Year's Eve you need to hit a paper "kite" with a burning arrow, and then the holiday is considered to have begun. Hindus celebrate the New Year in different ways depending on where they live. The inhabitants of northern India adorn themselves with flowers of pink, red, purple, or white hues. In south India, mothers place sweets, flowers, small gifts on a special tray. On the morning of the new year, children should wait with their eyes closed until they are led to the tray. In western India, the New Year is celebrated at the end of October. Small fires are lit on the roofs of houses. In central India, orange flags are hung on buildings. India is one of the countries where many cultures and subcultures intersect. Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists live there, but, nevertheless, the bulk of the population professes the religion of Hinduism. And the New Year for them, respectively, comes according to the prescription of the Hindu calendar. This does not mean that the Hindus skimp on the Islamic and Christian New Year - they are happy to take part in the celebration of these celebrations, as well as the Nativity of Christ. For the traditional Indian year, called Gudi Padva, the date changes every year, depending on lunar calendar. The celebration of the New Year lasts more than one day and is accompanied by various carnival processions, fairs and other paraphernalia. But, since the political, economic and social spheres of the country are guided by the Christian chronology, the first of January is also not ignored. Hindus from Tamil Nadu celebrate the beginning of the new year on April 14, which coincides with the official arrival of spring. In Andhra Pradesh, the new calendar year comes only in March. Residents of Kashmir begin the countdown of the new year in general from March 10, and continue to celebrate until the end of the celebrations in all states, and in West Bengal the new year comes on April 13. Do not forget about the celebration of the New Year according to the Eastern calendar, as well as the Muslim New Year. Thus, with full confidence we can say that India is the most New Year's country in the world.

New Year in Indonesia

Come to Indonesia New Year in October. All people dress up, wish each other happiness in the new year and forget all past grievances.

New Year in Iran

In Iran (a Muslim country that used to be called Persia), Iranians and those who use the Iranian calendar in everyday life celebrate the New Year (Navruz - Persian نوروز‎, "new day") on March 21 or 22 (night from 30 esfand to 1 farvardin ), in a day spring equinox. A few weeks before the holiday, people plant grains of wheat or barley in a small dish. By the New Year, the grains sprout, which symbolizes the beginning of spring and the new year of life.

New Year in Spain

On New Year's Eve, the townspeople take to the streets and squares, where festivities take place. And when the city clock strikes midnight, all acquaintances and strangers begin to congratulate each other, wish health, good luck and exchange gifts. Also in Spain, the expressive features of an erotic cult are carried by one of new year customs, which is now followed in many villages of the country, although already in a playful form: "estrechos" (in Asturias - "devotos") - the conclusion of fictitious marriages. On New Year's Eve, girls and boys from all over the village pull pieces of paper with the names of fellow villagers of both sexes. Guys thus get "brides", girls - "grooms". In some places, for example, in the Orenci district, this procedure takes place in front of fires near the church porch. Marriage couples that have formed are considered lovers until the very end of the holiday and behave accordingly.
In Barcelona, ​​in Madrid, until recently, on New Year's Eve, they sold tickets with the names of guests of both sexes and then combined them in pairs at random: they got "grooms" and "brides" for the whole evening. The next morning, the "groom" was supposed to come to his "bride" with a visit and a gift - flowers, sweets. Sometimes young people set up a business in such a way as to get their beloved girl as a "bride", and the business turned out to be a real marriage. It is possible that here are traces of a quite serious marriage custom, when marriages were concluded under the strict control of the community.
Also in Spain there is a tradition to eat grapes on New Year's Eve. By the sound of the clock, you need to have time to eat 12 grapes, one for each of the twelve coming months.

New Year in Italy

Italians on New Year's Eve, exactly at midnight, open the windows and throw out old and unnecessary things into them. This tradition is connected with the fact that you have to enter the New Year in everything new - in new clothes, with new furniture. And old unnecessary worries and things should be safely thrown away after the outgoing year. The more things you throw away, they say, the more wealth the New Year will bring.
In the province of Italy, there has long been such a custom: on January 1, early in the morning, “new water” from the source must be brought into the house. If you don’t have anything to give to friends, Italians say, you can give “new water” with an olive branch.” It is believed that the “new” water that was brought before sunrise brings happiness. It is also important for an Italian that if an Italian meets a handsome old man on January 1, that's good, and even better - a hunchback. Then the New Year will definitely be prosperous!

New Year in China

The Chinese New Year begins in January-February, so it is associated with the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Street processions are the most exciting part of the holiday. In modern China, the New Year is a festival of lanterns. On New Year's Eve, countless small lanterns are lit in the streets and squares, complementing the New Year's holiday with beautiful firecrackers and firecrackers. The inhabitants of China, seeing off cold and bad weather with the light of lanterns, meet the awakening of nature. The lanterns are given different shape, decorated with bright patterns, intricate ornaments. In the first New Year's days, it is not allowed to swear at all. New Year in China is a strictly family holiday, and every Chinese wants to spend it with their relatives. On the evening of the last day of the year, each family in full force gathers in the living room for festive dinner. During this dinner, family members forgive each other old grievances. After the end of the meal, no one went to bed, so as not to miss their future happiness. Night vigils for the New Year were called "to protect the year."

New Year in Colombia

In Colombia main character New Year's carnival - the Old Year - walks on high stilts and tells funny stories to children. Pascual - Colombian Santa Claus - arranges fireworks.

New Year in Cuba

Before the New Year, Cubans fill all the dishes in the house with water, and after midnight they pour water out of the windows. In this form, all the inhabitants of the island of Freedom wish the New Year a bright and clean, like water, path. While the clock strikes twelve, one must eat twelve grapes, and then happiness, goodness, harmony, prosperity and peace will accompany a person all year.

New Year in Mexico

In Mexico, the New Year is celebrated with festive fireworks, firecrackers, and the ringing of special New Year's bells. And children are handed delicious gingerbread dolls at midnight.

New Year in Mongolia

In Mongolia, with the advent of the first day of the New Year, a truly nationwide festivities begin in the country. The official New Year in the country is January 1, and the New Year is called "Tsagaan Sar" according to the lunisolar calendar. According to tradition, in kaTA, the family sees off the old year, the farewell is called "bituun". At this moment, you can not quarrel, argue, swear and deceive.

New Year in Myanmar

In Myanmar, the New Year comes at the hottest time of the year, so its arrival is celebrated with the so-called "water festival", when people pour water on each other when they meet. The tradition of dousing with water is a kind of wish for happiness in the New Year.

New Year in Nepal

In Nepal, the New Year is celebrated at sunrise. At night when full moon, Nepalese light huge bonfires and throw unnecessary things into the fire. The next day comes the turn of the Festival of Colors, and then the whole country turns into a huge rainbow. People paint their faces, arms and chests with bizarre patterns, and then crowds of painted merry fellows walk the streets singing and dancing.

New Year in Panama

In Panama, at midnight, when the New Year is just beginning, all the bells ring, sirens howl, cars honk. The Panamanians themselves - both children and adults - at this time shout loudly and knock on everything that falls under their hands. All this noise is necessary in order to "appease" the coming year. The peoples of the North are the most interesting, unexpected, festive. New Year's Eve turns here into the personification of a feeling of immense joy, the friendliness of the holiday. This is a fair-sale, this is sports, this is folklore with the presence of a Christmas tree and Santa Claus, who is the keeper of secrets and surprises on New Year's Eve.

New Year in Portugal

In neighboring Portugal, there is also a tradition, like in Spain, similar to the draw. But they choose not the bride and groom, but the king of the evening. A coin is baked into a Christmas cake. The one who gets it is declared the king of the evening, and all other guests must behave with him accordingly.

The same tradition of baking coins exists in other countries, for example, in Bulgaria, Romania and Austria. But usually this performs the function of divination - the one who gets the coin will certainly be rich.

New Year in Scandinavia

In Scandinavia, in the first seconds of the New Year, it is customary to grunt under the table in order to drive troubles away from the family, and create the beginning of only the best in the new year.

New Year in Sudan

In Sudan, it is necessary to celebrate the New Year on the banks of the Nile, then all wishes will come true.

New Year in Turkey

Muslims are not forbidden to celebrate the New Year, but it is not recommended to decorate the Christmas tree and invite Santa Claus. This is stated in the New Year's statement of the head of Turkish Muslims. The tradition of celebrating the New Year is recognized all over the world and is part of world culture, but Christmas is religious holiday and has nothing to do with the New Year, Muslims should not confuse the two holidays. The tradition of celebrating the New Year with a Christmas tree is common in Turkey. However, in a number of Muslim countries, the celebration of the New Year is not welcomed. In particular, in Saudi Arabia it is prohibited.

New Year in Finland

According to Finnish ideas, the central winter month was fox. January and February were called big and small or the first and second months of tammikuu (tammikuu). The celebration of the New Year on January 1 was adopted by the Finns in the 16th century. Prior to this, the year began after St. Michael's Day, gradually moved towards the end of October, and at one time was apparently celebrated on November 1. From the time the New Year began to be celebrated on January 1, on the eve of it and on the first day, the features characteristic of such a date passed.

New Year in France

Despite the fact that the French are reputed to be a loving nation, on New Year's Eve they prefer not to kiss, but to eat and drink. According to tradition, a good owner-winemaker should certainly clink glasses with a barrel of wine, congratulate her on the holiday and drink for the future harvest. And since only the lazy do not make wine in France, you can imagine what fun they have there. In France, Santa Claus - Pere Noel - comes on New Year's Eve and leaves gifts in children's shoes. The one who gets the bean baked in the New Year's cake receives the title of "bean king", and on a festive night everyone obeys his orders. Wooden or clay figurines - santons - are placed near the Christmas tree.

New Year in Switzerland

In Switzerland (and indeed in Austria) people dress up to celebrate Saint Sylvester's day. This holiday is based on the legend that Pope Sylvester (314) caught a terrible sea monster. It was believed that in the year 1000 this monster would break free and destroy the world. To everyone's delight, this did not happen. Since then, in Austria and Switzerland, this story is remembered on New Year's Eve. People dress up in fancy dresses and call themselves Sylvesterklaus.

New Year in Sweden

Swedes desperately miss the sun in winter. Therefore, at the beginning of a series of New Year and Christmas holidays, they arrange processions with torches and candles, and on New Year's Eve they give each other home-made candles. And they are buzzing during the holiday. In the truest sense of the word - when the clock strikes 12, the Swedes blow the pipes with all their might.

New Year in Scotland

In Scotland, or rather, in some villages of this country, the New Year is celebrated with a kind of torchlight procession: barrels of tar are set on fire and rolled through the streets. Thus, the Scots "burn" the old year and light the way for the new. The morning of the new year is even more responsible for them than New Year's Eve itself: after all, the well-being of the owners depends on who is the first to enter the house on this day. It is believed that the best happiness is brought by a dark-haired man who comes with a gift.

New Year in Yugoslavia

In Yugoslavia, there was a lot of fortune-telling for the New Year: 12 slices of onion salted were used to determine the weather in a particular month (Croats, Slovenes). In some areas of Slovenia, ten different items: among them were a pine branch (happiness), a ring (wedding), a doll (family growth), money (wealth), etc., which were covered fur hat. Each fortuneteller had to pull out an object three times, and if he came across the same one all the time, then this meant that an event related to the symbolism of this object would occur during the year in his life.

New Year in Japan

In Japan, New Year is celebrated on January 1st. Mandatory is the custom of seeing off the Old Year, which includes organizing receptions and visiting restaurants. At the beginning of the new year, the Japanese begin to laugh. They believe that laughter will bring them good luck in coming year. On the first New Year's Eve, it is customary to visit the temple. In temples, 108 bells are beaten. With each blow, according to the Japanese, all the bad things go away, which should not be repeated in the New Year. According to Japanese belief, each ringing neutralizes one of the human not the best features. According to the Japanese, there are only 6 of them (greed, anger, stupidity, frivolity, indecision, envy), but each has 18 different shades - that's what the Japanese bell tolls for.
In the first seconds of the New Year, you should laugh - this should bring good luck. And in order for happiness to come to the house, the Japanese decorate it, more precisely, front door, sprigs of bamboo and pine - symbols of longevity and fidelity. In houses, rice cakes are placed in a conspicuous place, on top of which tangerines are placed, symbolizing happiness, health and longevity. In Japan, the European Christmas tree is furnished with exotic plants that grow on the islands.
New Year in Japan is one of the most popular holidays in the country. Japanese children celebrate the New Year in new clothes, believing that this will bring good luck and health. On New Year's Eve, children put a drawing depicting their dreams under the pillow, then the wish should come true. IN flower arrangements dominated by a pine, symbolizing longevity and endurance. And in the morning, when the New Year comes into its own, the Japanese go out of their houses to the street - to meet the sunrise. With the first rays, they congratulate each other and give gifts.
In Japan, among Christmas accessories amulets for happiness - a rake - are very popular. Every Japanese considers it necessary to purchase them so that on New Year's Eve there is something to rake in happiness. Bamboo rakes - kumade - are made from 10 cm to 1.5 m in size and are decorated with rich paintings.
To appease the upcoming New Year and for good luck - the Japanese build kadomatsu in front of the house - a small gate of three bamboo sticks, to which they are tied pine branches. Those who are wealthier build kadomatsu from dwarf pine, a bamboo sprout, and a small plum or peach blossom tree.

What interesting New Year's traditions do you know?