To each his own way of celebrating the year which begins or of greeting the one which ends. Between cultural traditions and local practices, a world tour of New Year’s Eve festivities.
In Denmark, a resounding awakening!
The custom is that the inhabitants come to break their plates, dishes or chipped glasses on the landing of a neighbor, friend or member of their family. The ritual, necessarily very noisy, is in no way assimilated to vandalism, because it is in reality a sign of friendship. On the morning of January 1, those who find the most debris piled up outside their door will have better luck for the year ahead. Well worth a few broken plates.
In Canada, an invigorating swim!
It’s called “the polar bear’s dive”. In several cities across the country, those who are not afraid to jump into ice water to mark the New Year. Decked out in Christmas hats and other disguises, they were brave 1761 last year to take a dip in Burrard Bay in Vancouver! A dip in six-degree water and a 100-meter race, rewarded with hot drinks on arrival. There is only one instruction to follow: do not stay in the water for more than 15 minutes!
In Russia, a wish that goes up in smoke!
If you have a wish for 2019, this Scandinavian tradition could help you make it come true. On the evening of December 31st, write your vows on a piece of paper. When midnight strikes, burn it, then pour the ashes into a glass of wine or champagne. Have your drink all at once and you will be granted! But to respect tradition, you have to act quickly. Once the twelve strokes of midnight have sounded, the ritual should not exceed one minute.
In Cuba, we throw water out the windows!
Cubans have a curious habit on New Years Eve. As soon as January arrives, they fill a basin with water to pour it through the front door or the window. This flow which gushes out of each dwelling symbolizes the past year and thus inaugurates a new year where anything can happen. According to superstitions, the liters of water spilled in this way would bring luck and happiness.
In Colombia, it’s time to pack up!
Grab his suitcase without even filling it and walk around his neighborhood with his empty luggage under his arm? This is the amazing fad of Colombians on the night of December 31st. Between midnight and one in the morning, many of them take a walk in this way to make the year to come a year rich in travel and adventure.
In Scotland, the procession of the Vikings!
The “Hogmanay” is an ancestral tradition of the Vikings to celebrate with great pomp the winter solstice. Since then, in Edinburgh and throughout Scotland, we have witnessed processions of thousands of inhabitants dressed like warriors marching through the streets, torches in hand, in a march called “river of fire”. All punctuated by bagpipes and drums.
Reference: https://travel.earth/strange-new-years-eve-traditions-from-around-the-world/
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