Celebrate New Year in different countries. How New Year is celebrated in different countries of the world: from Sweden to Venezuela

Due to different time zones, the time of the new year may differ from ours by as much as 25 hours. From this article you will find out when the New Year comes in different countries of the world and what are the features of the celebration in some countries

We have already talked in detail about the history of the New Year and traditions. Now let's talk about when this day comes in different countries of the world. The very first to celebrate the New Year are the inhabitants of the island of Kiritimati, which is part of the Christmas Islands, as well as the inhabitants of the city of Nukualofa (the capital of the Kingdom of Tonga). These islands are located in Oceania

+0.15 - Chatham Island (New Zealand), located at some distance from the main islands of New Zealand, celebrates the New Year for the second time. It has a special time zone

+1.00 - Then the New Year comes in New Zealand. At the same time, polar explorers from the South Pole in Antarctica also meet him.

+2.00 - The next to celebrate are the inhabitants of extreme eastern Russia (Anadyr, Kamchatka), the Fiji Islands and some other Pacific islands (Nauru, Tuvalu, etc.)

+2.30 - Norfolk Island (Australia)

+3.00 - Part of eastern Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra) and some Pacific Islands (Vanuatu, Micronesia, Solomon Islands, etc.)

Australia is worth talking about separately. There is always a grand celebration in Sydney. On New Year's Eve, the city looks like a brightly decorated Christmas tree, with branches bending from decorations. Numerous fireworks are scattered in the sky over Sydney, which are visible from a distance of 16-20 kilometers from the city. Pay attention to the gorgeous fireworks against the backdrop of the famous Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House

After a festive night, Australians often go somewhere in nature, as the climate always allows it.

+3.30 - South Australia (Adelaide)

+4.00 - State of Queensland in Australia (Brisbane), part of Russia (Vladivostok) and some islands (Papua New Guinea, Mariana Islands)

+4.30 - Northern Territories of Australia (Darwin)

+5.00 - Japan and Korea

In Japan, the New Year is celebrated on January 1st. Mandatory is the custom of seeing off the Old Year, with lavish receptions and visits to restaurants. At the beginning of the new year, the Japanese begin to laugh. They believe that laughter brings them good luck in the new year. On the first New Year's Eve, it is customary to visit the temple, where 108 bells are beaten. With each blow, all the bad things go away, and will not be repeated in the New Year. Among New Year's accessories, amulets for happiness - miniature rakes - are popular. Every Japanese necessarily acquires them, so that on New Year's Eve there is something to rake in happiness. Bamboo rakes - kumade are made in sizes from 10 cm to 1.5 meters and are decorated with rich paintings. In houses, rice cakes and tangerines are placed in a conspicuous place, symbolizing happiness, health and longevity.

+6.00 - China, part of Southeast Asia and the rest of Australia

Chinese New Year is celebrated between January 17 and February 19, during the new moon. Street processions are the most exciting part of the holiday. Thousands of lanterns are lit to light the way for the New Year. The Chinese believe that the new year is surrounded by evil spirits. Therefore, they scare them away with firecrackers and firecrackers. New Year in China is a strictly family holiday, so everyone wants to spend it with their relatives. In the evening, each family gathers in the living room for a gala dinner. During this dinner, which was held under the sign of the unity of the clan, and above all the unity of its living and deceased members, its participants eat dishes that are first offered to the spirits of their ancestors. At the same time, family members forgive each other old grievances

+7.00 - Indonesia and the rest of Southeast Asia

+7.30 - Myanmar

+8.00 - Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Part of Russia (Novosibirsk, Omsk)

+8.15 - Nepal

+8.30 – India

In India, the New Year is celebrated in different ways. In one part of the country, the holiday is considered open when a kite is struck by a burning arrow. In northern India, the inhabitants adorn themselves with flowers in shades of pink, red, purple, or white. The mothers of South India place sweets, flowers and small gifts on a special tray, and on New Year's Day the children are brought to the tray with their eyes closed.

+9.00 - Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and part of Russia (Yekaterinburg, Ufa).

+9.30 - Afghanistan

+10.00 - Armenia, Azerbaijan, part of Russia (Samara), some islands in the Indian Ocean.

+10.30 - Iran

+11.00 - Part of East Asia, part of Africa, part of Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg)

+12.00 - Eastern Europe (Romania, Greece, Ukraine, etc.), Turkey, Israel, Finland, part of Africa.

In Finland, families gather at a New Year's table full of various dishes. The kids expect from Joulupukki, that's the name of the Finnish Santa Claus, a huge basket of gifts. On New Year's Eve, Finns often guess, trying to find out their future. If you decide to visit this country for the New Year - there is nothing better than a trip to Finland on comfortable buses from http://spbfin.ru

In Greece, New Year's Day is Saint Basil's Day. Saint Basil was known for his kindness, and Greek children leave their shoes by the fireplace in the hope that Saint Basil will fill the shoes with gifts. It is also customary to launch fireworks into the sky. In the photo New Year's fireworks over the Acropolis

+13.00 - Western and Central Europe (Belgium, Italy, France, Hungary, Sweden, etc.), part of Africa.

As soon as the New Year has begun, Italians are in a hurry to get rid of things that have already "served their time", sometimes throwing them right out of the window or burning them. In Italy, the custom has been preserved to bring clean water from a spring on the first morning of the new year, as it is believed that water brings happiness.

The French, even before Christmas, hang a mistletoe branch over the door of their houses, believing that it will bring good luck next year. They decorate the whole house with flowers and always put them on the table. In each house they try to place a model depicting the scene of the birth of Christ. According to tradition, a good owner-winemaker on New Year's Eve should clink glasses with a barrel of wine, congratulate her on the holiday and drink for the future harvest. In the photo, New Year's fireworks against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower

+14.00 - Prime meridian (Greenwich), UK, Portugal, part of Africa

Let's move on to the UK. The ringing of the bell broadcasts about the New Year in England, the British have a tradition to let the old year out of the house, they open the back doors of the houses before the bell rings, and then open the entrance doors to let in the New Year. New Year's gifts in the family circle of the British are distributed according to the old tradition - by lot. In the photo, New Year's fireworks against the backdrop of the famous London Eye

+15.00 - Azores

+16.00 – Brazil

On New Year's Eve, the inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro go to the ocean and bring gifts to the Goddess of the Sea Yemanzha. Traditionally, Brazilians dress up in white clothes, which symbolizes a plea for peace addressed to the goddess of the Sea. Believers bring all kinds of gifts to the goddess: flowers, perfumes, mirrors, jewelry. Gifts are placed in small boats and sent to the sea as a token of gratitude for the past year and as a request for protection in the coming year. Pay attention to how many people gathered on the beach of Rio to watch the fireworks

+17.00 - Argentina and part of eastern South America

+17.30 - Newfoundland Island (Canada)

+18.00 - Eastern Canada, many Caribbean islands, part of South America

+19.00 - Eastern parts of Canada (Ottawa) and USA (Washington, New York), western part of South America.

USA. In New York, in Times Square, the traditional solemn descent of the famous Ball, sparkling with thousands of neon lights, takes place.

+20.00 - Central parts of Canada and the USA (Chicago, Houston), Mexico and most countries in Latin America.

+21.00 - Part of Canada (Edmonton, Calgary) and USA (Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake City)

+22.00 - Western parts of Canada (Vancouver, and USA (Los Angeles, San Francisco)

+23.00 - State of Alaska (USA)

+23.30 - Marquesas Islands as part of French Polynesia

+24.00 - Hawaiian Islands (USA), Tahiti and the Cook Islands

+25.00 - Residents of the state of Samoa are the last to celebrate the New Year

This is how the New Year is celebrated around the world on a grand scale, in different countries in different ways, but everywhere there is a common feature - you need to celebrate it cheerfully, and on a grand scale.

Luzin Artem Valerievich

I wanted to know how the New Year is celebrated in different countries, to find out where the tradition of celebrating the New Year came from and why this holiday is celebrated at different times of the year. I was curious to know if Russian traditions of celebrating the New Year are similar to the traditions of other nations, and I described the most interesting ones in my work.

The traditions of the New Year holiday are different for all peoples. But for everyone - this is fun, jokes, fireworks, Santa Claus, gifts, this is a cleansing from everything bad and the expectation of well-being, happiness. In my opinion, not only the feeling of the New Year's holiday, but also the preservation of New Year's traditions bring happiness and peace to people in every home. People pass on New Year traditions from generation to generation, and we must know them, observe them and, when we grow up, pass them on to others.

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How is New Year celebrated in different countries?

From cognitive literature, I learned that the custom of celebrating the New Year's holiday originated in the 4th millennium BC. on the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. In the famous state of Babylon, a cuneiform tablet was found, which tells about this. And then the New Year began to be celebrated in other countries. I was curious to know if the Russian traditions of celebrating the New Year are similar to the traditions of other peoples, and I described the most interesting ones in my work.

Australia . Australians celebrate the New Year on January 1st. .. on the beaches, at this time there is a 30-degree heat, and Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden distribute gifts in bathing suits. The main festive events are fireworks, the first illuminates the sky at 9 pm, and the second at midnight.

America. In America, Santa Claus brings gifts to children on Christmas night, December 25th. The whole country participates in the New Year celebration. There are noisy, colorful street balls and processions. At midnight, people congratulate each other, hug, kiss, car drivers honk. Rattles, whistles, horns are heard everywhere. In New York, in the last 10 seconds of the outgoing year, a huge illuminated apple is lowered down the spire. At this time, crowds of people begin to congratulate each other.

New Year's table is very rich. Mandatory dishes are peas, beans with black spots - they bring good luck and wealth, Hoppin John rice dish and a large birthday cake.

Africa. They learned about the tradition of celebrating the New Year's Eve from Europeans. African Santa Claus lives on the highest mountain of the mainland, Kilimanjaro, where the snow lies. When the holiday time comes, the kind old man dresses up in his red fur coat, picks up a huge bag of gifts and goes down the mountain to the people.

The Bavenda tribe lives in South Africa. They consider the python to be the guardian of the tribe. On New Year's Eve, girls of 13 years old dedicate a dance to him. They line up in a chain, hold each other by the elbows and wriggle, imitating the movements of a snake, dance to the sound of tympanums.

Brazil. The coming year is celebrated with cannon shots. At this moment, people begin to kiss, they believe that if you have time to kiss a person, the year will be happy. The streets of the cities are festively decorated, small bells and flowers are hung on poles. And in Rio de Janeiro at midnight, thousands of people dressed in all white head to the sea: candles are placed in the sand, flowers are thrown into the sea, since the bay in which the city lies is opened by the Portuguese on New Year's Eve.

Germany. The custom of decorating the Christmas tree was born in Germany. In the last week of November, Christmas markets open in almost all cities. Christmas decorations, gingerbread, roasted chestnuts are on sale. They bake houses from ginger dough and populate them with little animals made from prunes and raisins. As soon as the clock begins to strike midnight, people jump on chairs, tables, armchairs, and with the last blows together, with joyful greetings, jump into the New Year.

Italy. In Italy, gifts are not given on New Year's Eve: all gifts were given at Christmas. But they also have their own traditions. There must be 2 dishes on the festive table - lentils and boiled sausage. It is also mandatory to eat dried grapes in bunches at the New Year's table - a symbol of health and longevity. In Italy, on New Year's Eve, it is allowed to shout loudly to celebrate the New Year with an open heart. Not so long ago in Italy there was a tradition before the New Year to throw unnecessary things out of the windows, even furniture. But now it is not observed, because people have become thrifty, they do not buy a lot of things for the future. Yes, and it is dangerous to throw out the window, because there are people, cars.

Italian Santa Claus is good-natured, cheerful, ruddy, with a luxurious white beard. And soon after him comes the "grandmother Morozikh" - Befana with gifts that she leaves in a stocking. For naughty children, she leaves a coal, a pinch of ash or a rod. It's a shame, but they deserve it!

Israel. The Jewish New Year is celebrated in autumn and is called Rosh Hashanah. Everyone wants to enter the New Year with pure thoughts and a soul free from sins. To do this, believers come to the seashore with the words of the prayer “You will plunge all our sins into the abyss of the sea” and carefully shake out their pockets so that there are no crumbs.

Usually acquaintances and strangers greet each other with the words “May this year be kind and sweet!”. Traditional dishes of the New Year's table are apples, honey, round challah. But the main treat is a fish head, so that each person is a head, not a tail.

China. The Chinese celebrate the New Year twice. One is on January 1, the other is on the day of the Chinese lunar calendar. This is the day between January 23rd and February 19th. For the holiday, it is customary to give amulets and talismans, for example, a rake, with which you can "rake" a lot of happiness.

In the family, everything begins with the expulsion of spirits - the cleansing of the house. All furniture is moved, garbage is thrown out the door. On the night of December 24, it is the time of the god of the hearth, a farewell dinner of sweet dishes is arranged for him, after which he rises to heaven and tells sweet speeches about the household to the highest deity.

Before the New Year, much attention is paid to the front door. They install a special screen so that evil spirits cannot enter the house.

The New Year is not complete without deafening firecrackers, rockets, explosions. Everyone jokes, sings, but watch their speech. Not a single word about misfortune should not be uttered so as not to call it into the house.

On the first day of the New Home, everyone is at home, especially the hostess does not go anywhere, otherwise happiness can slip out after her.

Türkiye. In Muslim countries, the New Year - Navruz (Nevruz) falls on March 21 - the day of the vernal equinox and literally means "New Day".

This holiday is not celebrated at night, but on a bright day. At a solemn moment, all family members should be at home, sitting at a table set according to tradition. The rum of dishes must contain seven items starting with the letter “s”: greens of sprouted grains (saben), rue (sepand), apples (sib), garlic (syr), vinegar (serke), wild olive (sinjid), thyme ( satar).

In the countryside, on the first day of Nevruz, a solemn ceremony of laying the first furrow is performed, after which sowing begins.

Japan. In Japanese, the New Year is called "Segatsu" - "true month, the first month of the year.

It has long been customary to decorate a home with specially grown dwarf plants (bonsai). Purple-leaved cabbage heads are often found among New Year's decorations. They are also included in bouquets in combination with plum branches. Preparing for the New Year, the Japanese make kites, bright lanterns, paint them with hieroglyphs of wishes.

Until now, decorations play a special role - amulets from dark and impure forces - shimekazari. This is a straw bundle, to which strips of paper, tangerines, coals, and dried fish are hung.

In the evening the whole family gathers for dinner. This evening they serve thin noodles made from buckwheat flour - soba. The longer the soba, the longer the prosperity in that house will last.

On this special day, the Japanese dress up in kimono and have elaborate hairdos, even the men. On New Year's Eve, the bronze bells of Buddhist temples beat off 108 strokes, believing that they expel 108 worries that darken a person's life. Also, before the celebration of the New Year, the Japanese buy pictures depicting a sailboat with gods on board. On New Year's Eve, everyone dreams of seeing the desired dream - the seven gods of happiness on this ship.

The celebration of the New Year is accompanied by games and entertainment. Traditional dishes are prepared for the New Year's table: rice cookies - a symbol of abundance, a dish of peas for health, carp, a symbol of strength, candied slices of seaweed - wishes of happiness, caviar - wishes for having many children.

The exchange of gifts takes place in the evening. They give a rake decorated with cranes, coins for luck, a fan, tea, dried fish wrapped in a colorful wrapper. Parents give their children a coin in a special envelope as a symbol of happiness and prosperity. Celebrate the New Year in Japan for 7 days. At the end of the celebration, colorful parades of fire brigades are held in the cities, and then all New Year's decorations are burned.

Conclusion

I was very interested in the research topic, but it is difficult to tell about many countries in one work, so I described, in my opinion, the most interesting New Year traditions and made a coloring book with New Year pictures according to the traditions of different countries.

I learned that the tradition of celebrating the New Year came to us from Babylon in the 4th millennium BC, and then the holiday began to be celebrated in other countries. I realized that initially the holidays arose as agricultural rites that helped the peasants turn to nature with a prayer for protection and help. After the end of the holiday, the earthly world seemed to them renewed, and the person himself - purified, wise.

For every nation, the New Year did not always begin in winter, but also in spring, autumn, which is associated with the awakening of nature.

The traditions of the New Year holiday are different for all peoples. But for everyone - this is fun, jokes, fireworks, Santa Claus, gifts, this is a cleansing from everything bad and the expectation of well-being, happiness. In my opinion, not only the feeling of the New Year's holiday, but also the preservation of New Year's traditions bring happiness and peace to people in every home. People pass on New Year traditions from generation to generation, and we must know them, observe them and, when we grow up, pass them on to others.

Bibliography:

1. Big book of holidays of the peoples of the world. M., Eksmo, 2008

2. Children's encyclopedia. No. 12, 2005.

3. Kreten N. Holidays. M., Astrel, 2002.

4. Lokalova S., A holiday as a gift. Yaroslavl, Academy of Development, 2002.

5.Lavrent'eva L.S., Smirnov Yu.I. culture of the Russian people. Customs. Rites. Folklore. S-P, Laritet, 2005.

6. Russian traditions and holidays. L. Mikheeva, M. Korotkova, M., Bustard Plus, 2007.

7. Christmas. New Year: customs, rituals, superstitions, fairy tales. Comp. L.O. Voznesenskaya. Institute of Practical Psychology. 1997.

8. Change, No. 1-2006.

9. I want to know everything. Holidays. Children's enc./E. Chekulaev. M., Astrel, 2001.

In Bulgaria 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. In gratitude, the guests give him gifts. The most interesting begins with the twelfth stroke of the clock. In all houses, the lights go out for three minutes: these are the minutes of New Year's kisses that replace toasts. The “kiss” pause is a pleasant and easy tradition, a good way to get rid of tedious long toasts and the need to compose special words yourself. After that, the hostess begins to cut the cake with surprises baked in it. If you got a coin - wait for wealth, a branch of a rose - love. Bulgarians rejoice if someone sneezes at the table. They say it brings good luck.

In Bulgaria, on New Year's Eve, they buy dogwood sticks - an indispensable attribute of the New Year's holiday. On the first of January, children, approaching relatives and friends and lightly hitting them with chopsticks, congratulate them on the holiday.


To the Finnish holiday menu for the New Year, plum jelly and rice porridge are sure to be included. One of the main protagonists of the Finnish Christmas celebrations is, of course, Joulupukki (this is the name of the old man Frost in Finns). They say that before, in addition to gifts, he also brought rods, and his visit began with the words: “Are there obedient children in this house?” Today, the element of education has almost disappeared, and all children receive New Year's gifts.


Portuguese on Christmas Eve they give a "king pie". In addition to candied fruits and almonds, one medal or figurine is baked in it. The one who was lucky enough to find her is not at all obliged to swallow a surprise, which simply means: peace be with your house!


And in Denmark foresters have come up with a great way to save forests from poachers who want to decorate their home with a forest beauty. On New Year's Eve, they treat Christmas trees with a special composition. In the cold, the liquid has no smell. And indoors, the tree begins to emit a sharp, suffocating smell, punishing violators.

Little Danes are given a wooden or plush Christmas tree with a troll peeking out from under the green paws. The Danes believe that the forest prankster is the embodiment of the soul of the tree. At midnight, the hostess serves a huge bowl of sweet rice porridge with a secret on the festive table. The peculiarity of this porridge is that a nut or almond is hidden at the bottom of the bowl. This tradition is especially liked by unmarried girls: if a nut comes across, the wedding will not be avoided next year. For everyone else, it promises just a happy New Year. Which in itself is also good!


In Great Britain order gifts from Father Christmas (literally - Father of Christmas). They write him a detailed letter listing what he wants, which is thrown into the fireplace. The smoke from the chimney delivers the wish list right to the destination.
The British give each other gifts of approximately the same value. In the family circle, very often the ceremony of distribution of gifts is carried out according to the old tradition - by drawing lots. It is a custom to send postcards with a Christmas story to everyone you know.


Scots on New Year's Eve they go to friends with a slice of cake, a glass of wine and a piece of coal. From their point of view, this is the surest way to provide them with food, drink and warmth for a whole year.
When the hands of the clock approach 12, the owner of the house silently opens the door and keeps it open until the last blow sounds. Thus he releases the Old Year and brings in the New.

In Scotland, on New Year's Eve, they set fire to a barrel of resin and roll this barrel through the streets. The Scots consider it a symbol of the burning of the Old Year. After that, the road to the New Year is open. It is believed that the first person to enter the house after the onset of the New Year brings good luck or bad luck. A dark-haired man with a gift - fortunately.


in Italy at the end of the outgoing year, flower pots, old chairs, boots fly from all windows onto the pavement ... The more things you throw away, the more wealth the New Year will bring. And if there are no old things, then you have to throw away new ones, otherwise happiness will bypass the house.
Italians always take care to enter the new year not only in an updated interior, but also dressed up in everything new. An ancient custom looks quite funny: on December 31, men and women give red underwear to loved ones. It is this color that symbolizes novelty.

And the little Italians are waiting for gifts from the woman Santa Claus, although not quite the Snow Maiden, whose name is La Befana.


Christmas in Germany- a family holiday. Everyone must certainly gather at the festive table. On this day, a gift exchange ceremony takes place, which even has its own name - Beshe-rung. The apotheosis of the New Year's feast is der Lebekuchen - gingerbread. In the 16th century, this “real miracle of flour, sugar and raisins” could sometimes reach the length of an entire bench. But this is for the best. After all, then you can make a gift to all your friends and acquaintances: take the “gingerbread bench” under your arm ... and go ahead, congratulate people on the New Year. One leg from the bench, the other - the back. The costs are minimal, and the gift, one might say, is endless.

In Germany, a brightly colored dish with apples, nuts, raisins and pies is always served on New Year's Eve. The symbolism here is as follows: an apple is the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, nuts with their hard shells and tasty core symbolize the secrets and difficulties of life. In Germany they say: "God gave the nut, and man must crack it." Apples will hang on the Christmas tree, golden and silver nuts too. Walnuts and almonds are used in baking, and marzipans are the heart of German Christmas.


In Austria often give glass or porcelain pigs, sometimes representing piggy banks.
It is considered an unwritten commandment to hear the solemn sound of the “Peace Bell” installed at St. Stephen's Cathedral on New Year's Eve in Vienna. Thousands of people gather on Cathedral Square on December 31st.
In the old days, in this country, it was considered a good omen to meet a chimney sweep, touch him and get dirty. It was believed that it brings great happiness and good luck. Therefore, Christmas gifts in the form of a clay or rag chimney sweep stained with soot are so frequent.

But on the holiday tables Austria, Hungary and countries of the former Yugoslavia there is never a bird - geese, ducks, chickens, turkeys. In these countries, they believe that it is impossible to eat a bird this evening, happiness will fly away.


In France they give anything, although they adhere to somewhat stricter rules than, for example, overseas. So, only a husband can give perfume to a woman, such a gift from another man is considered not very decent.
A symbol of well-being and a family hearth is a large log that is lit in the fireplaces of houses. Père Noel, the French Santa Claus fills children's shoes with gifts.


Figures of walruses and polar bears carved out of ice, which Eskimos give each other, can be considered the most unexpected gifts. Greenland. Since it is cold in Greenland even in summer, like we have on New Year's Eve, ice gifts are quite durable.


Czech Grandfather Mikulas comes on December 5, on the eve of St. Nicholas Day. He is very similar to our Santa Claus: the same long fur coat, hat, staff. Only now he brings gifts not in a bag, but in a shoulder box. And it is not the Snow Maiden who accompanies him, but an angel in snow-white clothes and a shaggy imp.


swedes traditionally give each other homemade candles. Such a gift is due to the fact that at the height of winter it gets dark early near the Arctic Circle, and the light symbolizes friendship, cordiality, and fun.

In Swedish homes where there are children, the celebration of the New Year begins with the fact that dads go out to take out the garbage, and return in the form of Jules Tomten (Swedish Santa Claus). When the clock strikes midnight, the Swedes throw serpentine, blow the pipes, and Yul Tomten begins to give gifts. So, under the general noise and din, the New Year enters the land of Sweden.

In Sweden, on New Year's Eve, it is customary to break dishes at the neighbors' doors. Now Swedish whistles, pipes and rattles have appeared in stores for a noisy meeting of the New Year and other holidays.


On the eve of the holiday in Spain, going to any home, you should put champagne and a piece of nougat in a gift basket.

The New Year itself for the Spaniards is a public holiday. After all, it is on this night that lovers of ritual rites and traditions rush to the central square to the huge Christmas tree to feast on grapes. During the fight of the clock, each of the thousand gathered at the Christmas tree tries to eat 12 grapes. Each grape symbolizes one of the coming months, and having time to eat all 12 is a “guaranteed” fulfillment of a cherished desire. This fun tradition extends to those who celebrate the New Year at home. Grapes are placed on each plate.


Greeks, in addition to traditional baskets heavy from champagne and wine, recently they are increasingly giving each other a new deck of cards. And when they go on a visit, they bring a mossy stone with them as a gift and leave it in the owners' room, they say: "Let the owners' money be as heavy as this stone."

In Greece, there is a custom according to which, exactly at midnight, the head of the family goes out into the courtyard and smashes a pomegranate fruit against the wall. If its grains scatter around the yard, the family will live happily in the new year.


in Iceland throughout December, parents do not know the worries with their children. The fact is that the cunning kids know: Santa Claus can unexpectedly drop in on them any day from December 1st to December 24th.
If something goes wrong ... in your shoe you can find not a gift, but a potato.


In Holland donuts with raisins are prepared for the New Year's table. Children here adore the white foal. In the evening they put carrots and hay in wooden shoes in order to find their favorite cakes in them in the morning. Holiday gifts are brought by Sunderclass. He arrives on a steamboat accompanied by black servants.

In Ireland on the eve of the New Year, the doors of houses open wide, and anyone who wishes can enter any house and become a welcome guest there. He will be seated in a place of honor, treated to a glass of good wine, not forgetting to say: “For peace in this house and throughout the world!”
At half past eleven, the Irish go to the central square, sing, dance, have fun.


In Norway children are waiting for gifts from a goat. She is greeted with festive treats - dry ears of oats, which are put in children's shoes for the New Year. The next morning, instead of ears of corn, the guys find New Year's gifts in their boots and shoes. In this country, the goat occupies a privileged position. The fact is that a local legend tells that the Norwegian king Olaf the Second once saved a wounded goat by removing it from a cliff. The animal was taken to the palace, cured and released home. As a sign of gratitude, she brought rare healing plants to the savior every night.


Residents celebrate the New Year with ancient ritual songs and carols Romania. On the streets of Bucharest on New Year's Eve there are groups of teenagers in national costumes, in high ram's hats and with long whips in their hands. They enter the yards and, standing in a heap, beat the ground with a whip in a certain rhythm, from time to time shouting out traditional New Year's wishes. This ancient ritual symbolizes work in the field: the guys beat imaginary oxen so that they plow the land better and the coming year be rich in harvest.

All the flower girls who do not leave the streets of Bucharest all year round, before the New Year, green mistletoe branches appear in their trays. The leaves of this plant, even in the most severe cold, retain a bright green color and freshness. In Romania, it is believed that if, along with the New Year tree, a mistletoe branch decorates the house, it will bring great happiness.

In Romania, it is customary to bake small surprises in New Year's pies - coins, porcelain figurines, rings, hot pepper pods. The ring found in the cake means that the New Year will bring a lot of happiness. And a pod of pepper will cheer everyone around.


In India The New Year is celebrated in different ways. North Indians adorn themselves with white, pink, red and purple flowers. In Central India, buildings are decorated with multi-colored, mostly orange, flags. In Western India, small lights are lit on rooftops. In South India, mothers place sweets, flowers and small gifts on a special tray. On New Year's morning, little Indians wait with their eyes closed until they are led to the tray. Only then do they receive their gifts.


In Japan there is a tradition: before the New Year, give postcards with the image of an animal that corresponds to this year. They also give toys and souvenirs.

One of the most striking decorations of the Japanese house before the New Year is kadomatsu (“pine tree at the entrance”). Kadomatsu - a greeting to the deity of the New Year holiday - is mainly made from pine, bamboo, woven rice straws. Decorate with fern and mandarin branches. Bamboo and pine are symbols of fidelity and longevity. Straw rope stretched in front of doors drives away evil spirits.

New Year is considered the biggest holiday in Japan. It lasts for 7 days! Men launch multi-colored kites of various shapes into the sky. Women play badminton.

The New Year is not celebrated at midnight, but at sunrise. The bells of Buddhist temples beat 108 times, announcing the birth of the New Year. With each blow, according to the Japanese, all the bad things that should not be repeated in the New Year go away.
Like the Chinese, visits to parents are obligatory here. 3 branches appear in every Japanese house for the New Year: bamboo - let children grow up quickly, plums - let the owners have strong helpers, pine trees - let all family members live as long as pine. It is forbidden to pronounce words with an unpleasant meaning. You can not talk about death, demons and a number of animals - a fox, a dragon, a tiger, a snake. If the children accidentally violated some verbal prohibition, then the parents wipe their mouths with a specially prepared ritual cloth.

In Japan, New Year's Eve is called "golden week". At this time, many institutions and firms, government organizations, large department stores stop their work. Even banks are open until 12 noon on December 31 and rest on the first three days of the New Year.

Mandatory is the custom of seeing off the Old Year, which includes organizing receptions and visiting restaurants. At the time of the New Year, the Japanese begin to laugh. They believe that laughter will bring them good luck in the coming year.


Those who fall for Christmas To China, they notice first of all the Trees of Light, an analogue of our Christmas tree.
They are decorated in an oriental way with bright and exquisite lanterns, flowers, garlands. Chinese Christians use the same decorations in the festive decoration of their homes.
On the eve of the holiday, little Chinese hang stockings on the walls, where Dong Che Lao Ren (Grandfather Christmas) puts his Christmas gifts.

In China, daffodils are a must for New Year's Eve. Everyone needs to watch their speech. It is strictly forbidden to swear and speak ambiguities.

In China, the New Year is always celebrated during the new moon in late January - early February. Processions of many thousands of lanterns move through the streets. They are lit, lighting the way to the New Year. In order to keep out evil spirits on New Year's Eve, the Chinese seal the windows and doors of houses with paper and scare them away with firecrackers and firecrackers.


In Mongolia The New Year coincides with the holiday of cattle breeding, so it is characterized by sports competitions, competitions for dexterity, ingenuity, and courage.
Just like the peoples of Europe, the Mongols celebrate the New Year at the Christmas tree. Santa Claus comes to them, dressed in a cattle breeder costume.


in Vietnam New Year is celebrated at night. With the onset of dusk, the Vietnamese build bonfires, on which they cook special delicacies from rice.

On New Year's Eve, it is customary to release live carps into rivers and ponds. According to legend, a god swims on the back of a carp, who goes to heaven on New Year's Eve to tell there how people live on Earth. On this night, quarrels are forgotten, insults are forgiven.

Cambodia, Korea, Mongolia and some other countries - a rake decorated with various expensive ornaments is an indispensable accessory of the New Year. Apparently, it is they who “rake in happiness” on New Year's Eve.

More in the East Christmas markets are widespread, where you can buy not only clothes, food, utensils, jewelry and gifts, but even ... dreams, hopes and happiness. Do not be afraid, you will not be sold air full of promises and assurances. For example, you can buy a daruma - a wooden (or papier-mâché) roly-poly doll from the Buddhist pantheon. Or hamayumi - blunt arrows with white feathers, which drive out evil spirits, and taka-ra-bune - boats with rice and seven gods sitting on the deck, symbolizing prosperity and good luck.

Celebrating the New Year in a very special way in Indonesia. So, on the island of Bali, it lasts 10 days. These days, two-meter columns of dyed rice are erected. They are meant for the gods. At the end of the festivities, the columns are taken to their homes. Rice is eaten by people, but the gods are left with memories of gifts.


In Sudan The talisman of the New Year is considered to be a green, unripe walnut. The best thing is to find an unripe nut that would bring happiness and good luck throughout the year.


in the Philippines Since November, mass production of Christmas trees from plastic, papier-mâché, and branches begins. Competitions of lanterns of various sizes and shapes are arranged.
In the thirty-degree heat that stands here at the end of December, it is especially interesting to observe the Site of Klaus walking around in red coats trimmed with white synthetic fur.


In America the main attention is paid not to the gift itself, but to its packaging - boxes and boxes, cases and cases. On Christmas Eve, family and friends are delighted to uncover gifts that can be wrapped in ten clothes, like a head of cabbage.
America breaks all records every year for the number and value of greeting cards and Christmas gifts sold.


In Argentina, according to a long tradition, employees of institutions on the last day of the outgoing working year throw old calendars, unnecessary statements and forms out of windows. In the business part of Buenos Aires, by noon, the sidewalks and the roadway are thickly covered with a thick layer of paper. No one knows how and when this custom originated. Not without incidents. One day, employees of one of the newspapers, who were outrageous, threw the entire archive out of the window.


On New Year's Eve in Brazil on the ocean beach thousands of candles light up on the sand. Women in long dresses enter the water and throw flower petals into the waves of the ocean surf.


In Colombia it is believed that without shooting, fireworks and explosions, the holiday simply cannot be. Colombians make dolls representing the old year. They are carried on sticks, funny testaments are read. Then they throw the dolls away from themselves and at midnight the charges and gunpowder hidden in the dolls begin to explode. The old year, surrounded by flames and smoke, shatters into pieces, making way for the New Year.


And here in Cuba Before the New Year, everyone fills their glasses with water. At midnight, Cubans throw water through an open window into the street, wishing the New Year to be as clear and pure as water.
In Cuba, the clock only strikes 11 times on New Year's Day. Since the 12th stroke falls on New Year's Eve, the clock is given a rest and calmly celebrate the holiday with everyone.

In Mexico with the chime of the clock, fireworks flare up and carnival processions begin. Here there is a custom to break clay pots filled with fruits, water, New Year's gifts.


in Peru it is believed that the one who walks around his quarter with a suitcase on New Year's Eve will be able to make a long-planned trip.
If a girl walks down the street with a willow twig, the young man whom she offers to take up the twig from the other side will become her fiancé.


In Ecuador on New Year's Eve stuffed stuffed with straw from old clothes. This is a symbol of the passing year. He is seated on a chair in front of the house, provided with a pipe and a cane. At midnight, the “testament” of the Old Year is read, which lists all the troubles that have happened to this family. The paper is stuffed into the scarecrow's bosom. They light a match, and the Old Year disappears in flames, taking with it all the family troubles.


In Panama New Year's Eve is unusually noisy: trumpets hum, sirens howl and people scream. According to ancient belief, noise scares away evil spirits.

New Year is a truly international holiday, but different countries celebrate it in their own way. The Italians throw old irons and chairs out of the windows with all the southern passion, the inhabitants of Panama try to make as much noise as possible, for which they turn on the sirens of their cars, whistle and shout. In Ecuador, special importance is attached to underwear, which brings love and money, in Bulgaria they turn off the lights, because the first minutes of the New Year are the time for New Year's kisses. In Japan, instead of 12, 108 bells sound, and a rake is considered the best New Year's accessory - to rake in happiness.

Italy. On New Year's Eve, irons and old chairs fly out of the windows.

In Italy, the New Year begins on January 6th. According to popular beliefs, on this night, the good Fairy Befana arrives on a magic broomstick. She opens the door with a small golden key and, entering the room where the children sleep, fills children's stockings, specially hung on the fireplace, with gifts. For those who studied poorly or were naughty, Befana leaves a pinch of ash or coal.

Italian Santa Claus - Babbo Natale. In Italy, it is believed that the New Year must begin, freed from everything old. Therefore, on New Year's Eve, it is customary to throw old things out of the windows. The Italians really like this custom, and they fulfill it with their passion, characteristic of the southerners: old irons, chairs and other rubbish fly through the window. According to signs, the vacant place will certainly be occupied by new things.

On the New Year's table, the Italians always have nuts, lentils and grapes - symbols of longevity, health and well-being.

In the Italian provinces, there has long been such a custom: on January 1, early in the morning, water must be brought home from the source. "If you have nothing to give to your friends," the Italians say, "give water with an olive branch." It is believed that water brings happiness.

For Italians, it is also important who they meet first in the new year. If on January 1 the first person an Italian sees is a monk or a priest, this is bad. It is also undesirable to meet with a small child, but to meet a hunchbacked grandfather is fortunately.

Ecuador. Red underwear - for love, yellow - for money

In Ecuador, at exactly midnight, dolls will be burned to the so-called "weeping widows" who mourn their "bad husbands". As a rule, "widows" are portrayed by men dressed in women's clothes, with makeup and wigs.

For those who want to travel all year round, tradition prescribes: while the clock strikes 12 times, run with a suitcase or a large bag in hand around the house.

Do you want to get very rich in the coming year or find great love? In order for money to “fall like snow on your head” in the new year, it is necessary, as soon as the clock strikes 12, to put on yellow underwear.

If you need not money, but happiness in your personal life, then the linen should be red.

Ecuadorians see the best way to get rid of all the sad moments that happened in the past year is to throw a glass of water into the street, with which everything bad will be smashed to smithereens.

Sweden. New Year - a festival of light

In Sweden, before the New Year, children choose the queen of light, Lucia. She is dressed in a white dress, a crown with lit candles is put on her head. Lucia brings gifts to children and treats to pets: a cat - cream, a dog - a sugar bone, a donkey - carrots. On a festive night, the lights do not go out in the houses, the streets are brightly lit.

SOUTH AFRICA. Police close quarters to traffic - refrigerators fly from windows

In the industrial capital of this state - Johannesburg - residents of one of the quarters traditionally celebrate the New Year, throwing out various items from their windows - from bottles to large-sized furniture.

Police in South Africa have already closed the Hillbrow area to traffic and appealed to those living in the area with a request not to throw refrigerators out of windows on New Year's Eve. According to a police spokesman, in connection with the existing tradition, this quarter is considered the most dangerous in the city.

"We have distributed thousands of leaflets asking people not to throw things like refrigerators out of windows and not to fire guns into the air," South African police spokesman Krybn Nedu said.

On New Year's Eve, this quarter will be patrolled by about 100 police officers.

England. To be together for a whole year, lovers must kiss

In England, it is customary to play performances for children on the plots of old English fairy tales on New Year's Eve. Lord Chaos leads a merry carnival procession, in which fairy-tale characters take part: Hobby Horse, March Hare, Humpty Dumpty, Punch and others. All New Year's Eve, street vendors sell toys, whistles, tweeters, masks, balloons.

It was in England that the custom arose to exchange greeting cards for the New Year. The first New Year's card was printed in London in 1843.

Before going to bed, the children put a plate on the table for gifts that Santa Claus will bring them, and they put hay in their shoes - a treat for the donkey.

The bell announces the coming 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 bells are undressed, and they begin to ring loudly in honor of the New Year.

At these moments, lovers, in order not to part next year, should kiss under the mistletoe branch, which is considered a magic tree.

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.

In the British Isles, the custom of "letting in the New Year" is widespread - a symbolic milestone of the transition from a past life to a new one. When the clock strikes 12, the back door of the house is opened to let out the Old Year, and with the last stroke of the clock, the front door is opened to let in the New Year.

Scotland. You need to set fire to a barrel of tar and roll it down the street

In Scotland, the New Year's holiday is called "Hogmany". On the streets, the holiday is greeted with a Scottish song to the words of Robert Burns. According to the custom, barrels of tar are set on fire on New Year's Eve and rolled through the streets, thus burning the Old Year and inviting the New.

The Scots believe that the success or failure in the family for the whole next year depends on who enters their house first in the new year. Great luck, in their opinion, brings a dark-haired man who brings gifts into the house. This tradition is called first footing.

Special traditional dishes are prepared for the New Year: oatmeal cakes, pudding, a special kind of cheese - kebben, are usually served for breakfast, boiled goose or steak, pie or apples baked in dough for lunch.

Guests should certainly bring a piece of coal with them to throw into the New Year's fireplace. Exactly at midnight, the doors swing wide open to let the old one out and let in the New Year.

Ireland. Honored puddings

Irish Christmas is more of a religious holiday than just entertainment. Lighted candles are placed near the window on the evening before Christmas, to help Joseph and Mary, if they are looking for shelter.

Irish women bake a special seed cake treat for each member of the family. They also make three puddings - one for Christmas, another for New Year's and a third for Epiphany.

Colombia. The old year walks on stilts

The main character of the New Year's carnival in Colombia is the Old Year. He walks in the crowd on high stilts and tells funny stories to children. Papa Pasquale is Colombian Santa Claus. No one knows how to make fireworks better than him.

On New Year's Eve, a parade of dolls takes place on the streets of Bogota: dozens of puppet clowns, witches and other fairy-tale characters attached to the roofs of cars drive through the streets of Candelaria, the most ancient district of the Colombian capital, saying goodbye to the inhabitants of the city.

Vietnam. New Year sails on the back of a carp

New Year, Spring Festival, Tet - all these names are the most fun Vietnamese holiday. Branches of a blossoming peach - a symbol of the New Year - should be in every home.

Children look forward to midnight when they can start firing small homemade firecrackers.

In Vietnam, the New Year is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, between January 21 and February 19, when early spring comes here. At the festive table - bouquets of flowers. On New Year's Eve, it is customary to give each other branches of a peach tree with swollen buds. With the onset of dusk, the Vietnamese make fires in parks, gardens or on the streets, several families gather around the fires. Special delicacies from rice are prepared on coals.

On this night, all quarrels are forgotten, all insults are forgiven. The Vietnamese believe that a god lives in every house, and on New Year's Eve this god goes to heaven to tell how each member of the family spent the past year.

The Vietnamese once believed that God floated on the back of a carp. Nowadays, on New Year's Eve, the Vietnamese sometimes buy live carp, and then release it into a river or pond. They also believe that the first person to enter their home in the New Year will bring good or bad luck in the coming year.

Nepal. New Year's Eve at sunrise

In Nepal, the New Year is celebrated at sunrise. At night, when the moon is full, the Nepalese light huge bonfires and throw unnecessary things into the fire. The next day, the Festival of Colors begins. People paint their faces, hands, chests with an unusual pattern, and then they dance and sing songs in the streets.

France. The main thing is to hug a barrel of wine and congratulate it on the holiday

French 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.

Santons are wooden or clay figurines that are placed near the Christmas tree. 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.

Finland. Homeland of Santa Claus

In snowy Finland, the main winter holiday is Christmas, which is celebrated on December 25th. On Christmas night, having overcome a long road from Lapland, Santa Claus comes to the house, leaving a large basket with gifts for the delight of the children.

New Year is a kind of repetition of Christmas. Once again, the whole family gathers at a table bursting with various dishes. On New Year's Eve, the Finns try to find out their future and guess by melting wax and then pouring it into cold water.

Germany. Santa Claus comes to the Germans on a donkey

In Germany, it is believed that Santa Claus appears on a donkey on New Year's Eve. Before going to bed, the children put a plate on the table for gifts that Santa Claus will bring them, and they put hay in their shoes - a treat for his donkey.

Cuba. Water is poured out of the windows

Children's New Year's holiday in Cuba is called the Day of the Kings. The wizard-kings who bring gifts to children are Balthazar, Gaspard and Melchor. On the eve, the children write letters to them, in which they talk about their cherished desires.

Cubans on New Year's Eve fill all the dishes that are in the house with water, and at midnight they begin to pour it out of the windows. So all the inhabitants of the island of Freedom wish the New Year a bright and clean, like water, path. In the meantime, while the clock strikes 12 strokes, you need to eat 12 grapes, and then goodness, harmony, prosperity and peace will accompany you for all twelve months.

Panama. The Loudest New Year

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 into their hands. And all this noise in order to "appease" the year that is coming.

Hungary. On New Year's Eve you need to whistle

In Hungary, in the "fateful" 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 drive away evil spirits from the dwelling and call for joy and prosperity. Preparing for the holiday, Hungarians do not forget about the magical power of New Year's dishes: beans and groh retain strength of mind and body, apples - beauty and love, nuts can protect from trouble, garlic - from diseases, and honey - sweeten life.

Burma. Tug of war brings good luck

In Burma, the New Year falls between April 12 and 17. The Ministry of Culture informs about the exact day of the celebration by a special order, and the holiday lasts three days.

According to ancient beliefs, the gods of rain live on the stars. Sometimes they gather at the edge of the sky to play with each other. And then it rains on the earth, which promises a rich harvest.

To gain the favor of the stellar spirits, the Burmese came up with a tug-of-war competition. They are attended by men of two villages, and in the city - two streets. And women and children applaud and shout, urging the lazy rain spirits on.

Israel. Eat sweet food and refrain from bitter

New Year (Rosh Hashanah) is celebrated in Israel on the first two days of the month of Tishri (September). Rosh Hashanah is the anniversary of the creation of the world and the beginning of the reign of God.

New Year's Eve is a day of prayer. According to custom, on the eve of the holiday, they eat special food: apples with honey, pomegranate, fish, as a symbolic expression of hope for the coming year. Each meal is accompanied by a short prayer. Basically, it is customary to eat sweet food and refrain from bitter. On the first day of the new year, it is customary to go to the water and say the Tashlih prayer.

India. New Year - a holiday of lights

In different parts of India, the New Year is celebrated at different times of the year. At the beginning of summer is Lori's holiday. Children collect dry branches, straw, old things from the house in advance. In the evening, large bonfires are kindled, around which they dance and sing.

And when autumn comes, they celebrate Diwali - the festival of lights. On the roofs of houses, on the windowsills, thousands of lamps are placed and lit on a festive night. The girls launch small boats on the water, on which the lights are also burning.

Japan. The best gift is a rake to rake in happiness

Japanese children celebrate the New Year in new clothes. It is believed to bring health and good luck in the New Year. On New Year's Eve, they hide under the pillow a picture depicting a sailboat on which seven fairy-tale wizards are sailing - the seven patrons of happiness.

Ice palaces and castles, huge snow sculptures of fairy-tale heroes adorn northern Japanese cities on New Year's Eve.

108 chimes of the bell herald the arrival of the New Year in Japan. According to an old belief, each ringing "kills" one of the human vices. According to the Japanese, there are only six of them (greed, anger, stupidity, frivolity, indecision, envy). But each of the vices has 18 different shades - that's for them and the Japanese bell tolls.

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, or rather the front door, with sprigs of bamboo and pine - symbols of longevity and fidelity. Pine represents longevity, bamboo represents fidelity, and plum represents love of life.

The food on the table is also symbolic: long pasta is a sign of longevity, rice is prosperity, carp is strength, beans are health. Every family prepares a New Year's treat mochi - koloboks, cakes, rolls from rice flour.

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 the houses they put branches decorated with mochi balls - a New Year's mochibana tree.

Japanese Santa Claus is called Segatsu-san - Mr. New Year. Girls' favorite New Year's entertainment is a game of shuttlecock, and the boys fly a traditional kite during the holiday.

The most popular New Year's accessory is a rake. Every Japanese believes that it is necessary to have them so that for the New Year 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 various patterns and talismans.

In order to appease the Deity of the Year, which brings happiness to the family, the Japanese build small gates of three bamboo sticks in front of the house, to which pine branches are tied. Wealthier people buy dwarf pine, bamboo sprout, and small plum or peach trees.

Labrador. Keep your turnips

In Labrador they store turnips from the summer harvest. It is hollowed out from the inside, lighted candles are placed there and given to children. In the province of Nova Scotia, founded by the Scottish highlanders, merry songs brought over from Britain two centuries ago are sung every Christmas morning.

Czech Republic and Slovakia. Santa Claus in a lamb hat

A merry little man, dressed in a furry coat, a high sheepskin hat, with a box behind his back, comes to the Czech and Slovak children. His name is Mikulas. For those who studied well, he always has gifts

Holland. Santa Claus arrives on a ship

Santa Claus arrives in Holland on a ship. Children joyfully meet him at the pier. Santa Claus loves funny jokes and surprises and often gives children marzipan fruits, toys, candy flowers

Afghanistan. New Year - the beginning of agricultural work

Nowruz - the Afghan New Year - falls on March 21st. This is the start time for agricultural work. The elder of the village makes the first furrow in the field. On the same day, fun fairs open, where magicians, tightrope walkers, and musicians perform.

China. You need to pour water while congratulating you

In China, the New Year tradition of bathing the Buddha has been preserved. On this day, all Buddha statues in temples and monasteries are respectfully washed in pure water from mountain springs. And the people themselves pour water at the moment when others pronounce New Year's wishes of happiness to them. Therefore, on this festive day, everyone walks the streets in soaking wet clothes.

According to the ancient Chinese calendar, the Chinese are entering the 48th century. According to him, this country enters the year 4702. China switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1912. The date of the Chinese New Year each time varies from January 21st to February 20th.

Iran. Everyone shoots guns

In Iran, the New Year is celebrated at midnight on March 22. At this moment gunshots are fired. All adults hold silver coins in their hands as a sign of their constant stay in their native places throughout the coming year. On the first day of the New Year, according to custom, it is customary to break old pottery in the house and replace it with a new one.

Bulgaria. Three minutes of New Year's kisses

In Bulgaria, guests and relatives gather for the New Year at the festive table, and in all houses the lights go out for three minutes. The time when guests remain in the dark is called the minutes of New Year's kisses, the secret of which will be kept by the darkness.

Greece. Guests carry stones - large and small

In Greece, guests take with them a large stone, which they throw at the threshold, saying the words: "Let the wealth of the host be heavy, like this stone." And if they don’t get a big stone, they throw a small pebble with the words: “Let the thorn in the owner’s eye be as small as this stone.”

New Year is the day of St. Basil, who was known for his kindness. Greek children leave their shoes by the fireplace in the hope that Saint Basil will fill the shoes with gifts.

New Year in Russia is celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1. Traditionally, it is customary to celebrate it with family and loved ones. Young people prefer noisy parties in clubs. On the main squares of cities, on the eve of the New Year, a spruce is lit, near which the main ...

The Germans celebrate the New Year, as in most countries of the world - on the night of December 31 to January 1. Unlike the Slavic countries, in Germany it is not considered a family holiday. Instead of a home feast, young people prepare in advance for parties in clubs and bars. The older generation prefers...

The Spaniards, like most peoples of the world, celebrate the New Year on the night of December 31 to January 1. Unlike Christmas, New Year's Eve in this country is usually celebrated not in the home family circle, but in large and noisy companies. Residents of Spain gather in the streets and squares, arrange ...

New Year in the United States of America is celebrated on the night of December 31st to January 1st. In popularity, this holiday is inferior to Catholic Christmas (December 25). Unlike Christmas, which is a family celebration, most Americans celebrate the New Year in public, in the company of friends on ...

New Year in France is celebrated on the night of December 31st to January 1st. The French meet him in the circle of close friends and relatives. They arrange home gatherings, go to parties in clubs or restaurants, have fun, sing and dance on the streets of cities in fancy dress. Heart...

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New Year in Finland is celebrated on the night of December 31st to January 1st. In the coldest country in Europe, during the winter holidays, an atmosphere of warmth and fun reigns. New Year's Eve the older generation and large families spend at home at the solemn table. Young people prefer to celebrate the New Year in ...

New Year in Ukraine is celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1. Most people in the country celebrate this holiday in the family circle. Close and dear people gather at the festive table, drink champagne, give gifts to each other and say wishes for the next year. On the eve...

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New Year in Belarus is celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1. Most of the inhabitants of the country meet him in the family circle. After midnight, young people go with friends to the main squares of cities, to parties in clubs or restaurants. The older generation prefers to stay at home and watch...

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India holds the record for the most New Year celebrations in a calendar year. Christians celebrate it on January 1, Muslims celebrate it on the first day of the month of Muharram (according to the Islamic calendar). Some residents of the country celebrate it in late October - early November, on the day of Diwali....

New Year in Japan is celebrated on the night of December 31st to January 1st. The celebration takes a whole week - from December 28 to January 3. The Japanese celebrate the New Year calmly, solemnly, with the observance of traditions and rituals. During the winter holidays, a special atmosphere reigns in the capital of the country. Behind...

Chinese New Year is celebrated twice. According to European tradition, it is celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1 and is called Yuan-dan. Residents of the country celebrate it in the family circle, modestly and calmly. Since ancient times, the New Year in China has been celebrated on the second new moon after the winter ...

The onset of the New Year in Brazil is traditionally celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1. Locals call this holiday Confraternização or Reveillon, which means "fraternization". The participants of the celebration call each other brothers and sisters, hug and ...