Where is the new year celebrated? How much and when is the New Year celebrated in the world

In different countries, it is celebrated in accordance with local, national traditions, but the main symbols remain almost everywhere - a decorated Christmas tree, garland lights, clock strikes, champagne, gifts and, of course, a cheerful mood and hope for something new and good in the coming year.

People have been celebrating this bright and colorful holiday since ancient times, but few people know the history of its origin.

The most ancient holiday

New Year is the most ancient holiday, and in different countries it was celebrated and continues to be celebrated at different times. The earliest documentary evidence dates back to the third millennium BC, but historians believe that the holiday is even older.

The custom of celebrating the New Year first appeared in ancient Mesopotamia. In Babylon, it was celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox, when nature began to awaken from its winter sleep. It was installed in honor of the supreme god Marduk, the patron of the city.

This tradition was connected with the fact that all agricultural work began at the end of March, after the water arrived in the Tigris and Euphrates. This event was celebrated for 12 days with processions, carnivals and masquerades. During the holiday it was forbidden to work and administer courts.

This festive tradition was eventually adopted by the Greeks and Egyptians, then it passed to the Romans and so on.

© REUTERS / Omar Sanadiki

The New Year in Ancient Greece came on the day of the summer solstice - June 22, it was dedicated to the god of winemaking Dionysus. The Greeks began their reckoning from the famous Olympic Games.

Ancient Egypt celebrated for centuries the flooding of the Nile River (between July and September), which marked the beginning of the new planting season and was a vital event. It was a sacred time for Egypt, because a drought would endanger the very existence of this agricultural state.

During the celebration of the New Year, the Egyptians had a custom to fill special vessels with "holy water" from the overflowing Nile, the water of which at that time was considered miraculous.

Even then it was customary to arrange nightly celebrations with dances and music, to give gifts to each other. The Egyptians believed that the waters of the Nile washed away everything old.

The Jewish New Year - Rosh Hashanah (head of the year) is celebrated 163 days after Pesach (not earlier than September 5 and not later than October 5). On this day, a ten-day period of spiritual self-deepening and repentance begins. It is believed that on Rosh Hashanah the fate of a person is decided for the year ahead.

Solar chronology

The ancient Persian holiday Navruz, which meant the beginning of spring and the sowing period, was celebrated on the spring equinox on March 20 or 21. This Navruz differs from the Muslim New Year, since the Muslim calendar is based on the lunar annual cycle.

The celebration of Navruz is associated with the emergence of the solar chronology calendar, which appeared among the peoples of Central Asia and Iran seven thousand years ago, long before the rise of Islam.

The word "Navruz" is translated from Persian as "new day". This is the first day of the month "Farvadin" according to the Iranian calendar.

A few weeks before this date, wheat or barley seeds were placed in a dish to germinate. By the New Year, the seeds sprouted, which symbolized the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year of life.

Chinese New Year

The Chinese or Oriental New Year is a grandiose event that lasts a whole month in the old days. The date of the New Year is calculated according to the lunar calendar and usually falls between January 17 and February 19. In 2017, the people of China will celebrate the advent of the 4715 New Year - the Fire Rooster on January 28th.

© Sputnik / Alexander Imedashvili

During the festive procession that passes through the streets of China on New Year's Eve, people light many lanterns. This is done in order to light your way into the New Year. Unlike Europeans who celebrate the New Year with a Christmas tree, the Chinese prefer tangerines and oranges.

Julian calendar

For the first time, the calendar, in which the year began on January 1, was introduced by the Roman emperor Julius Caesar in 46 BC. Before that, in ancient Rome, the New Year was also celebrated in early March.

The new calendar, which then began to be used by all countries that were part of the Roman Empire, naturally began to be called the Julian. The account according to the new calendar began on January 1, 45 BC. That day was the first new moon after the winter solstice.

However, throughout the world, the New Year was celebrated for many centuries either at the beginning of spring or at the end of autumn - in accordance with agricultural cycles.

The first month of the year, January, is named after the two-faced Roman god Janus. On this day, the Romans made sacrifices to the two-faced god Janus, after whom the first month of the year was named, which was considered the patron of undertakings, and timed important events to this day, considering it especially auspicious.

In ancient Rome, there was also a tradition of giving New Year's gifts. It is believed that the first gifts were laurel branches, which foreshadowed happiness and good luck in the coming year.

Slavic New Year

Among the Slavs, the pagan New Year was associated with the deity Kolyada and was celebrated on the Day of the winter solstice. The main symbolism was the fire of a fire, depicting and invoking the light of the sun, which, after the longest night of the year, had to rise higher and higher.

In addition, he was associated with fertility. According to the Slavic calendar, the year 7525 is now coming - the year of the Crouching Fox.

But in 1699, Tsar Peter I, by his decree, moved the beginning of the year to January 1 and ordered that this holiday be celebrated with a Christmas tree and fireworks.

Traditions

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.

© REUTERS / Ints Kalnins

In Japan, instead of 12, 108 bells sound, and a rake is considered the best New Year's accessory - to rake in happiness.

A very interesting New Year tradition exists in Myanmar. On this day, everyone you meet pours cold water on the other. 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".

In Brazil, it is customary to ward off evil spirits on New Year's Eve. For this, everyone dressed in white clothes. Some jump into the ocean waves on the beach and throw flowers into the sea.

© AFP / Michal Cizek

In Denmark, to wish love and prosperity to yourself or your friends, it is customary to break dishes under their windows.

At midnight, Chileans eat a spoonful of lentils and put money in their shoes. It is believed that this will bring prosperity and wealth throughout the year. The more daring can spend New Year's Eve at the cemetery with deceased loved ones.

In the tradition of the countries of the post-Soviet space, there was the following tradition - write down your desire on a piece of paper, burn it and pour the ashes into a glass of champagne, mix and drink. All this procedure had to be done in the time interval until the clock strikes twelve.

© AFP / VINCENZO PINTO

In Spain, there is a tradition - to quickly eat 12 grapes at midnight, and each grape will be eaten with each new strike of the clock. Each of the grapes should bring good luck in each month of the coming year. Residents of the country gather in the squares of Barcelona and Madrid in order to have time to eat grapes. The tradition of eating grapes has been around for over a hundred years.

In Scotland, before the New Year, members of the whole family sit down near a lit fireplace, and with the first strike of the clock, the head of the family must open the front door, and silently. Such a ritual is designed to spend the old year and let the New Year into your home. The Scots believe that whether luck or bad luck enters the house depends on who is the first to cross their threshold in the new year.

© AFP / Niklas HALLE"N

On New Year's Eve, the inhabitants of Greece, like the inhabitants of many other countries, go to visit each other with gifts. However, there is a peculiarity - in addition to gifts, they carry a stone to the owners, and the more the better. In Greece, they believe that the heavier the stone, the heavier will be the purse of the recipients in the coming year.

According to another Greek tradition, the eldest member of the family must break a pomegranate fruit in the courtyard of his house. If pomegranate seeds scattered around the yard, then his family will have a happy life in the coming year.

There is a very unusual New Year tradition in Panama. Here it is customary to burn effigies of politicians, athletes and other famous people. However, the inhabitants of Panama do not wish evil to anyone, just all these stuffed animals symbolize all the troubles of the outgoing year.

© Sputnik / Levan Avlabreli

Moreover, every family should burn the scarecrow. Apparently another Panamanian tradition is connected with this. At midnight, on the streets of Panamanian cities, the bells of all fire towers begin to ring. In addition, car horns are honking, everyone is screaming. Such noise is meant to threaten the coming year.

The material was prepared on the basis of open sources.

The Italians throw old irons out of the windows, the inhabitants of Panama whistle and shout, in Ecuador they attach special importance to underwear ... In general, there are many strange things in the world associated with the New Year!


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 the 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.


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.


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.


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 is a holiday celebrated by many peoples of the world. Not in all countries they meet him on the night of January 1, but everywhere they love and appreciate him. Already from the first days of December in all villages and cities there is a feeling of the approach of this winter celebration, which is considered the main holiday of the year. This is a day off, which in Russia also marks the beginning of a common, rather long, vacation. Traditionally, it is celebrated at home, next to the closest people, the holiday is considered a family holiday.

history of the holiday

On the night of December 31 to January 1, the New Year is not celebrated in all countries of the world. Very often, the main winter holiday is Christmas, and New Year's celebrations either end the Christmas period if Christmas is celebrated on December 25, or start in countries where Christmas is celebrated on January 7. In most countries of Southeast Asia, January 1 is a regular day, the new year is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, and in Israel, the main New Year's festivities take place in September, when Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is celebrated. There are no celebrations on New Year's Eve in Bangladesh, Vietnam, Iran, India, China, Saudi Arabia.

New Year is one of the main holidays of mankind, which can rightfully be considered one of the first to appear. It was celebrated as early as the third millennium BC in Mesopotamia. Historians assure that the holiday is even more ancient, this tradition is not less than five thousand years old. The ancient Egyptians celebrated it in a manner similar to modern day celebrations, with nightly festivities. Their New Year came in September, when the Nile flooded, which was an extremely important event. On January 1, Julius Caesar began to celebrate the holiday, he also established the custom of decorating houses.

In Russia, it was celebrated for a long time in spring and autumn, until Peter I postponed the celebration to early January. It is curious that in all Christian countries the New Year is a somewhat minor holiday compared to Christmas. In our country, this celebration is considered the main one for the reason that under the Soviet regime it was strictly forbidden to celebrate all church events.

Which countries celebrate New Year at what time? This is detailed in the article.

Many years ago

The founder of this holiday is Gaius Julius Caesar. In 46 BC. e. The Roman ruler established the beginning of the year on the first of January. The first day of this month in the empire was dedicated to the god Janus. The first month of the year is named after him: Januarius/January. The two-faced god, who patronizes everything new, was sacrificed and timed with important events. It was customary on this day to give gifts and splendidly celebrate the beginning of the year. Previously, it was celebrated in the Roman Empire on the first day of spring.

And today, in many countries, the tradition has been preserved to celebrate the holiday of the beginning of the year on the first day of January according to the Julian calendar, compiled back in those distant times. Which countries celebrate the New Year on January 1st? These include all those who live according to the Gregorian calendar. That is, the countries of Western and Eastern Europe, Russia, Japan, Greece, Turkey, Egypt. In addition, the official New Year in Mongolia is January 1, but there is another date for celebrating this celebration. In Thailand and India, New Year also falls on January 1st. But there are also celebrations according to the Buddhist calendar in these countries.

Holiday dates in Russia

Like the ancient Romans, until the 15th century in Russia, the New Year was celebrated at the beginning of spring. This was due to nature and the beginning of agricultural work. At the end of the 15th century, and according to some sources a little earlier, the church, whose influence had greatly increased, moved the beginning of the year to September 1st. The last changes to this date were carried out by the reformer and lover of everything European, Peter the Great. In 1699 he signed the decree. It was said to consider the beginning of the year on January 1. ordered to decorate the streets and houses with pine and juniper branches, just as it was done in the German Quarter.

Time Zones

Which country is the first to celebrate the New Year? Now let's figure it out. Meeting the New Year on planet Earth lasts 25 hours, starting and ending in the Pacific Ocean. The inhabitants of Oceania are the first to open the celebration. And the procession of the holiday ends on the Polynesian Islands.

Which country is the first to celebrate the New Year? The inhabitants of the Kingdom of Tonga are the very first to start celebrating. After 2 hours, the holiday comes to the inhabitants of Kamchatka. After another 2 it is celebrated in Vladivostok. In Siberia, the celebration comes after 6 hours. An hour later, Yekaterinburg and Ufa join the New Year's celebration, after Samara. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, the New Year comes after 2 hours. Next comes the turn for the countries of South America, Canada and the United States.

Last on holiday

Which country is the last to celebrate the New Year? In 23 hours, the holiday will come to the inhabitants of Alaska and the Marquesas Islands.

The last people on earth to celebrate the New Year are the inhabitants of Hawaii and Samoa, where the holiday comes in 25 hours.

Also, as in Russia, the New Year's celebration on the night of December 31 to January 1 is not celebrated everywhere. In some countries, according to European customs, it is customary to decorate the city by this date, to hold promotions in large shopping centers. But there is no holiday familiar to Russians and there are no public holidays. In these countries, on the first of January, it is customary to go to work as usual.

Now that we know in which country the New Year is celebrated first and who is the last to sit down at the festive table, let's take a closer look at where the New Year is celebrated on the last day of the year.

Where do they celebrate?

  1. Canada and United States of America.
  2. United Arab Emirates.
  3. Australia.
  4. Scotland.
  5. Austria.
  6. Romania.
  7. Ukraine.
  8. Belarus.
  9. Moldova.

In the Scandinavian countries, too, little attention is paid to this celebration. Lush festivities are held at Christmas, and on the first day of January they go to work.

The situation is the same in countries where the majority of the population is of the Catholic faith. The New Year is here, just like everywhere else. But it's not particularly noted. In Western Europe, the main winter holiday is Christmas. In the Baltic countries, for example, Christmas and New Year celebrations are celebrated equally magnificently.

In Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, Sylvester is celebrated on the last day of the year - a holiday dedicated to Pope Sylvester I and the beginning of the New Year. Legend has it that Sylvester I killed the biblical monster, the leviophane, which could have destroyed the entire world. He died on the eve of the new year on December 31. Every year on this day, people celebrate the Feast of St. Silvestr. The holiday is celebrated with street festivities and fireworks, people have fun, drink, eat, sing songs and wait for the New Year.

According to the tradition that has developed over an entire era to celebrate this holiday on December 31, people are accustomed to in all countries that were part of the Soviet Union.

Asian CIS countries

In the Asian countries of the CIS, as elsewhere, the arrival of the New Year is celebrated. But most of these countries preach Islam. And the arrival of the new year according to the Islamic calendar is not in January, but in March. Currently, in Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, the New Year holiday is celebrated twice. Probably, there are no countries in the world where the celebration is celebrated 1 time.

Spring Summer Autumn

Which countries celebrate the new year at a different time? Now let's figure it out:

  1. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the New Year begins from January 21st to February 22nd. This happens every year at different times. The celebrations last up to two weeks. There is also a traditional holiday in China. It is celebrated on December 31st. However, this tradition is quite young. It appeared when the Communist Party came to power. January 1 is a holiday in the country. The Chinese do not attach much importance to this date. For them, the Chinese New Year is more important.
  2. In Vietnam and Mongolia, they also celebrate the new year according to the calendar, which coincides with the Chinese, with the exception of rare discrepancies. Recently, it has been customary to celebrate European. On New Year's Eve, entertainment programs and shows are held for tourists.
  3. Thailand's national holiday, dedicated to the new year, comes in mid-April.
  4. In the Muslim religion, the first day of the year occurs in November, the first month of the Islamic calendar, Muharram. In most countries in the Middle East, the year begins in November. But in some of them, the official celebration of the European one is also accepted.
  5. In Israel, a celebration is celebrated at the beginning of autumn. Native Israelis send congratulations to relatives and friends before the start of the holiday, which will take place on September 1, and not at the end of December, as is customary almost all over the world. Since 2017, the celebration of the celebration according to Russian traditions has been allowed. That is, on the night of 31 to 1. This means that you can celebrate without fear of getting a fine for breaking the silence. This was done for immigrants from Russia living in Israel. Previously, the traditional New Year was not celebrated in Israel. And then there were no days off, except when January 1 fell on Saturday. It is customary for the Jews to rest on this day.
  6. In September, the New Year is celebrated by another country located on the African continent. This is Ethiopia. At this time, the rainy season ends there, which marks the arrival of a new year.
  7. Everyone knows the Halloween holiday, which is held on the night of October 31 to November 1. For the Celts, this date is considered the beginning of the year. It is important to the natives of Ireland and Scotland.
  8. According to the calendar, the inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands meet their holiday of the beginning of the year later than everyone else. For them, it begins when in other parts of the land they are already thinking about the next holiday, namely November 18th.

In India

Which country celebrates the New Year the most? India. Here they celebrate the arrival of the new year up to four times a year. There are more than one or two calendars in multinational India, so in different parts of the country this holiday is celebrated at different times of the year. In the south it happens in March, in the north in April. The western provinces celebrate in October, in the southeast sometimes in July, sometimes in August.

Where are they not celebrated?

In Saudi Arabia, the first day of the month of Muharram is celebrated, which is considered the beginning of the year. The traditional New Year is not usually celebrated here. Yes, and generally not welcome, as it does not correspond to Islamic traditions.

South Korea rests on the first day of January, like many countries in the world. The usual holiday for everyone here is not given much attention. This is rather a long-awaited and additional day off that you can spend at home with your family. But on a large scale, the New Year is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, which falls at the end of January - mid-February. The celebration lasts up to two weeks, Koreans tend to spend this time with their families and visit older relatives.

In Bangladesh, the New Year comes on April 14th. But among the public holidays there is a European New Year's holiday on January 1.

Turkey, which everyone knows well for its summer resorts, like all Muslim countries, does not arrange magnificent New Year celebrations. It is customary to decorate large cities with festive symbols. New Year's sales are arranged in large markets and shops. January 1 becomes a holiday only if it falls on a weekday. Installing a Christmas tree at home and celebrating a holiday in Turkish families is not customary. New Year in Turkey can be spent in Istanbul or in the ski resorts of the country, where an appropriate holiday atmosphere is created for tourists. There are many tourists on the southern coasts of the country even in winter. On the eve of the holiday, palm trees are decorated instead of a Christmas tree, night festivities are held and fireworks are launched.

Conclusion

Now it is clear in which countries they celebrate and when. It is also clear that this cheerful and noisy holiday, so loved by both children and adults, is in fact a worldwide one. And if it is not celebrated somewhere else, then very soon this day will become part of the state celebrations of that country. Happy New Year, people of all the earth!

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.

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 a 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.

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

+3.30 – South Australia (Adelaide)

+4.00 - 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 from 10 cm to 1.5 meters in size and are decorated with rich painting. 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.

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.

+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.

+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 the USA (Washington, New York), the 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 of 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.