New Year is one of the most widely celebrated holidays. Every country celebrates the New Year with its own traditions, symbols and rituals.
In European countries, the New Year holiday is mainly celebrated on the night from December 31 to January 1. For example, in France, this holiday is celebrated with family or close friends. Fireworks around the Eiffel Tower in Paris add a special charm to the holiday.
The use of fireworks and pyrotechnics is very popular in Germany. In some regions, there is a tradition of "jumping" from the old year to the new year, which is considered a symbol of successful entry into the new year.
And in Spain, there is an interesting tradition: at 12 o'clock, a grape is eaten with each stroke. A total of 12 grapes means good luck for 12 months of the year.
The date of New Year's celebration in Asia is not the same everywhere. In China, the New Year is celebrated according to the lunar calendar and is called the "Spring Festival". This holiday lasts for several days, sometimes up to two weeks. The color red, dragon dances, fireworks and family gatherings are the hallmarks of the festival.
New Year is the most important national holiday in Japan. On the night of December 31, the bell rings 108 times in Buddhist temples, symbolizing the purification of a person from his shortcomings. On the first day of the new year, it is customary to meet relatives and go to temples.
In the USA, the New Year is celebrated with public events. Thousands of people gather in New York City's Times Square to watch the famous "balloon drop" ceremony. This event will be televised live to the whole world.
In Brazil, the New Year is celebrated especially on the ocean beaches. In Rio de Janeiro, people go to the beach in white clothes and throw flowers into the sea. It is a symbol of wishing for peace, happiness and prosperity.
Celebrating the New Year in Africa is a combination of national customs and modern traditions. For example, in Kenya, the holiday is mostly celebrated in the family circle and communally. Concerts and open-air events are organized in Nairobi and other major cities. Traditional dances and songs play an important role in rural areas.
Celebrating the New Year in Egypt is common, especially in the cities of Cairo and Alexandria. Fireworks are organized in tourist areas, holiday programs are organized in hotels.
New Year falls in the summer season on the Australian continent. Fireworks around the Sydney Opera House are recognized as one of the most beautiful holiday spectacles in the world.
Abdurahman MUSTAFAQULOV
prepared.