How Africa News
While New Year’s Eve celebrations this year will look a little different due to the pandemic, many destinations celebrate differently.
Air France sheds some light on some weird and wonderful New Year’s Eve traditions from around the globe:
France
What would a new year celebration in France be without indulging in good food? New Year in France starts with a feast, commonly known as le réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre. The French indulge in all kinds of decadent food, including lobsters, oysters, foie gras, escargot and champagne.
The Netherlands
Dutch residents use New Year’s Eve as a way to dispose of their Christmas trees. Every year, residents pile up their trees around the neighbourhood and set them on fire, creating a giant bonfire. If you are brave enough, another New Year’s Eve tradition in The Netherlands involves an icy New Year’s dive. This tradition dates back multiple centuries and implies that Dutch people wake up on January 1st, go to the beach, dive in the (freezing cold) sea and then start the New Year in the freshest way possible. Luckily, this tradition is usually done with a delicious Unox hotdog sandwich and beer.
Spain
On New Year’s Eve in Spain, as the clock strikes midnight, it’s customary to eat 12 grapes, one grape for each ring of the bell. This tradition started in the late 19th century, and the grapes represent good luck and prosperity for each month of the new year ahead.
Czech Republic
On New Year’s Eve in the Czech Republic, an apple cut in half and the shape found in the apple’s core is said to shed light on what fate lies ahead for those surrounding it. If the apple’s core resembles a star, that means health and happiness awaits. However, if the core reveals a cross shape, it is said to mean that those surrounding it will fall ill.
Denmark
Denmark residents welcome the New Year by throwing old plates and glasses against the doors of family and friends to banish bad spirits. They also stand on chairs and jump off of them together at midnight to “leap” into January in hopes of good luck.
Greece
Traditionally, Greek citizens would welcome in the New Year by hanging an onion outside their homes as a symbol of rebirth. On New Year’s Day, parents then wake their children by tapping them on the head with the onion. The onion isn’t the only edible object used in welcoming the New Year in Greece. In many parts of Greece, residents hang a pomegranate in their home in autumn as a symbol of abundance, fertility and good luck. After the New Year’s Eve church service, they smash the pomegranate at the door while wishing “Happy New Year!”
