New Years in other countries number. All year round - New Year

As you know, every country and every nation has its own national traditions related, among other things, to the holding of various holidays. Sometimes among such traditions there are very exotic, unusual and extravagant ones. Let's see how New Year is celebrated in different countries of the world.

New Year - a holiday that occurs at the moment of transition from the last day of the year to the first day of the next year. Celebrated by many peoples in accordance with the adopted calendar. The custom of celebrating the New Year already existed in Ancient Mesopotamia in the third millennium before ad. The beginning of the year from 1 January it was foundRoman ruler Julius Caesar in 46 BC.Most countries celebrate the New Year on January 1, the first day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. Standard Time New Year's Eve always begins in the Pacific Ocean on the islands of Kiribati. The last to see off the old year are the inhabitants of the Midway Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

From Wikipedia

For those who want to travel with pleasure all year round, i.e. for you and me, the best way to celebrate the New Year is Ecuadorian. Ecuadorian tradition prescribes: while the clock strikes 12 times, one must run around the house with a suitcase or a large bag in hand (can be around the table ).

New Year is truly an international holiday, but in different countries it is celebrated in its own way. Italians throw out old irons and chairs from windows with all their southern passion, Panamanians try to make as loud noise as possible, for which they turn on the sirens of their cars, whistle and shout. In Ecuador, they attach particular importance to lingerie, which brings love and money; in Bulgaria, the lights are turned off, because the first minutes of the New Year is the time of New Year's kisses. In Japan, instead of 12, 108 bells sound, and the rake is considered the best New Year's accessory - to rake in happiness.

Germany. Santa Claus comes to the Germans on a donkey

Let's start with Germany, from where the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree at the New Year's Eve has spread throughout the world. By the way, this tradition appeared there in the distant times of the Middle Ages. The Germans believe that Santa Claus rides a donkey, so children put hay in their shoes to treat him. And in Berlin at the Brandenburg Gate, the most interesting thing is happening: hundreds of thousands of people make toasts to the reunification of East and West Germany - there the holiday is celebrated very emotionally.

Italy. In the New Year, irons and old chairs are flying from the windows


Italian Santa Claus - Babbo Natale. In Italy, it is believed that the New Year should be started free of everything old. Therefore, on New Year's Eve, it is customary to throw old things out of the windows. Italians really like this custom, and they fulfill it with the passion typical of southerners: old irons, chairs and other rubbish are flying out the window. According to the signs, the vacated space will certainly be taken by new things.

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

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

It is also important for Italians who they meet first in the new year. If on January 1 the first person you meet is a monk or a priest, this is bad. It is also undesirable to meet with a small child, and to meet a hunchbacked grandfather is fortunate.


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

In Ecuador, at exactly midnight, the dolls will be burned under the so-called "cry of widows" who mourn their "bad husbands". As a rule, "widows" are depicted as 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 around the house with a suitcase or large bag in hand.

Do you want to get rich a lot in the coming year or find a lot of 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 underwear of yellow shades.

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

It's good for women - they can choose the upper part of their underwear in yellow and the lower part in red, or vice versa.But what about men if you want both?

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 is a celebration of light

But Sweden gave the world the first glass Christmas tree decorations (in the 19th century). There, on New Year's Eve, it is customary not to extinguish the lights in houses and to brightly illuminate the streets - this is a real celebration of light.

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

SOUTH AFRICA. The police closes the neighborhoods for traffic - refrigerators fly from the windows


You should not walk under the windows in South Africa during the New Year celebrations

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

South African police have already closed the Hillbrow neighborhood to traffic and asked residents in the area not to throw refrigerators out of windows on New Year's Eve. According to a police spokesman, due to the existing tradition, this quarter is considered the most dangerous in the city.

“We have distributed thousands of leaflets asking not to throw objects such as refrigerators out of windows and not to shoot firearms in the air,” said Kribn Nedu, a spokesman for the South African police.

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 for the New Year to play performances for children based on the plots of old English fairy tales. Lord Disorder leads a fun 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 New Year's greeting cards. The first New Year's card was printed in London in 1843.

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

The coming of the New Year is announced by a bell. True, he starts calling a little earlier than midnight and does it in a "whisper" - the blanket that is wrapped around him prevents him from demonstrating all his power. But at exactly twelve the bells are stripped and they begin to ring loudly in honor of the New Year.

At these moments, the lovers, in order not to part next year, must kiss under the branch of mistletoe, which is considered a magical 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 "admitting the New Year" is widespread - a symbolic milestone in the transition from a past life to a new one. When the clock strikes 12, the back door of the house is opened to release the Old Year, and with the last strike of the clock, the front door is opened to let in the New Year.

USA


For Americans New Year's Eve is when the huge glowing clock on Times Square will show 00:00. At this moment, thousands of people gathered in the square begin to kiss and press the horn with all their might. And the rest of the country understands - here it is, New Year. You can start with the traditional dark pea dish. It is believed that it is he who brings good luck.

In the USA, where in 1895. the first in the world luminous electric garland was hung at the White House, and from where the tradition of writing "New Year's assignments" with promises and plans for the coming year spread around the world, it is not customary to arrange solemn feasts, as well as to give gifts, everything is arranged there only for Christmas , and they necessarily transplant the Christmas trees into the ground, and do not throw them away, as we do.

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

The Scots believe that the success or failure of the family for the next year depends on who enters their home first in the new year. Great luck, in their opinion, comes from 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: oat 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 definitely bring a piece of coal with them to throw into the New Year's fireplace. Exactly at midnight, the doors are thrown wide open to let out the old one and let in the New Year.

Ireland. Puddings are held in high esteem

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

Irish women bake a special seed cake treat for each family member. They also make three puddings - one for Christmas, one for New Years, and one for Epiphany Eve.

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 a Colombian Santa Claus. No one knows how to arrange fireworks better than him.

On New Year's Eve, a parade of dolls takes place on the streets of Bogota: dozens of doll 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.

AustraliansI am


New Year in Australia begins on January 1st. But just at this time it is so hot there that Santa Claus and Snow Maiden are carrying gifts in bathing suits.


The sky over Sydney sparkles with numerous fireworks and fireworks, which are visible from a distance of 16-20 kilometers from the city.


Vietnam. New Year is sailing on the back of a carp

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

The kids look forward to midnight when they can start shooting with small homemade firecrackers.

In Vietnam, 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 twigs of a peach tree with swollen buds. With the onset of dusk, Vietnamese make fires in parks, gardens or on the streets, and several families gather around the fires. Special rice delicacies are cooked 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 Day this god goes to heaven to tell there how each of the family members spent the outgoing year.

Once upon a time, the Vietnamese believed that God swims 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 luck or bad luck in the coming year.

Nepal. New Year is celebrated with sunrise

In Nepal, New Year is celebrated with 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, arms, chest with an unusual pattern, and then dance and sing songs in the streets.

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

French Santa Claus - Père Noel - comes on New Year's Eve and leaves gifts in children's shoes. Whoever gets a bean baked into a New Year's cake gets 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. By tradition, a good host-winemaker should certainly clink glasses with a barrel of wine, congratulate her on the holiday and drink to the next harvest.

Finland. Homeland of Santa Claus

Finns don't like to celebrate New Year at home

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

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

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 called Baltasar, Gaspar and Melchor. On the eve, children write letters to them, in which they tell about their cherished desires.

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

Panama. Loudest New Year

In Panama, at midnight, when the New Year is just beginning, bells ring, sirens howl, cars honk. Panamanians themselves - both children and adults - at this time loudly shout and knock with everything that falls under 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 - and, 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 invoke joy and well-being. Preparing for the holiday, Hungarians do not forget about the magical power of New Year's dishes: beans and thunder keep the strength of mind and body, apples - beauty and love, nuts can protect from trouble, garlic - from disease, and honey - to sweeten life.

Burma. Tug-of-war brings luck

The New Year in Burma begins on April 1st, on the hottest days. For a whole week, people heartily pour water on each other. There is a New Year's water festival - Tinjan.

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

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

Israel. Eat sweet foods and refrain from bitter foods.

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

Praznik New Year is a day of prayers. According to custom, special food is eaten on the eve of the holiday: apples with honey, pomegranate, fish, as a symbolic expression of hopes for the coming year. Each meal is accompanied by a short prayer. Basically, it is customary to eat sweet foods and refrain from bitter ones. On the first day of the new year, it is customary to go to the water and say the Tashlikh prayer.

India. New Year is a holiday of lights

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

And when autumn comes, Diwali is celebrated - a festival of lights. Thousands of lamps are placed on the roofs of houses, on the windowsills and they are lit on a festive night. The girls put small boats on the water, on which there are also lights 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 fortune in the New Year. On New Year's Eve, they hide under a pillow a picture of a sailing ship on which seven fairy wizards - seven patrons of happiness - are sailing.

Ice palaces and castles, huge snow sculptures of fairytale heroes decorate northern Japanese cities on New Year's Eve.

108 bells are struck to herald the arrival of the New Year in Japan. According to a long-standing 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 why the Japanese bell tolls for them.

In the first seconds of the New Year, you should laugh - it should bring good luck. And so that happiness comes into the house, the Japanese decorate it, or rather the front door, with bamboo and pine branches - symbols of longevity and fidelity. Pine stands for longevity, bamboo stands for loyalty, and plum stands for vitality.

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

In the morning, when the New Year comes into its own, the Japanese go out of their homes to meet the sunrise. With the first rays, they congratulate each other and give gifts.

Branches decorated with mochi balls, a motibana Christmas tree, are placed in houses.

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

The most popular New Year's accessory is the rake. Every Japanese person believes that it is necessary to have them so that there is something to rake in happiness for the New Year. A bamboo rake - kumade - is made from 10 cm to 1.5 m in size and decorated with various designs and talismans.

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

Labrador. Store your turnips

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

Czech Republic and Slovakia. Santa Claus in a lamb hat

A cheerful little man, dressed in a shaggy fur coat, a high lamb hat, with a box behind his back, comes to Czech and Slovak children. His name is Mikulas. For those who studied well, he will always have gifts

Holland. Santa Claus arrives on a ship

Santa Claus arrives in Holland by ship. Children happily 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 - Afghan New Year - falls on March 21st. This is the time of the beginning of agricultural work. The village elder makes the first furrow in the field. On the same day, funny fairs open, where magicians, tightrope walkers, and musicians perform.

China. You need to pour water over you while they congratulate you

In China, the New Year's tradition of bathing the Buddha has been preserved. On this day, all Buddha statues in temples and monasteries are respectfully washed in clean water from mountain springs. And people themselves pour water over them at the moment when others say New Year's wishes for happiness to them. Therefore, on this holiday, everyone walks the streets in soaked 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 chronology only in 1912. The date of the Chinese New Year varies from January 21 to February 20 each time.

Iran. Everybody fires their guns

In Iran, New Year is celebrated at midnight on March 22. At this moment shots from rifles are thundering. All adults are holding 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 earthenware 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 are called 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 is thrown at the doorstep, saying the words: "Let the wealth of the owner be as heavy as this stone." And if a large stone is not received, they throw a small stone with the words: "Let the eyesore of the owner be as small as this stone."

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

South Korea. New Year

Koreans treat each holiday with special trepidation and try to spend it beautifully, brightly and cheerfully. South Korea- this is a country where holidays are appreciated and they know how to spend beautifully. Not surprisingly, in the process of globalization, Western winter celebrations have been added to the traditional Eastern New Year for the Country of morning freshness.

New Year in South Korea it is celebrated twice - first according to the solar calendar (that is, on the night of December 31 to January 1), and then according to the lunar calendar (usually in February). But if the "Western" New Year in the Land of Morning Freshness does not carry a special symbolic meaning, then the traditional New Year according to the lunar calendar in South Korea has a special meaning.

New Year in Korea starts with Catholic Christmas. As in Europe, Koreans decorate the Christmas tree and prepare many postcards and gifts for relatives, loved ones, friends and colleagues. It is worth noting that Christmas celebrations in South Korea are even brighter than the calendar New Year, which is celebrated very formally. These days in the Land of Morning Freshness are perceived more like a rare weekend than a holiday. Therefore, everyone wants to get out to their hometown, visit their parents, or just relax outside the city, for example, in the mountains. By the way, there is even an interesting mountain route that allows you to meet the first day of the new year at the top of the mountain.

We also celebrated the New Year at the top, or rather on the roof of our house!

The real New Year in South Korea comes according to the lunar calendar and is also called the "Chinese New Year", since it spread throughout Asia from the Middle Kingdom. This holiday is the most beloved and important for the inhabitants of the Country of morning freshness. Lunar New Year is also the longest holiday in South Korea. Festivals and celebrations last for 15 days.

home korea's new year tradition- a festive dinner, which is usually held with the family. According to legends, on a festive night, the spirits of ancestors are present at the table, who are considered full participants in the celebration, therefore, as many dishes of national Korean cuisine should be on the table as possible. There is also a feast on Seollal day - the first day of the new year. All relatives gather at the richly set table to congratulate each other, discuss current affairs and plans for the future.

All subsequent days after the onset of the New Year according to the lunar calendar in South Korea it is customary to visit relatives and friends, to congratulate and present gifts. Moreover, according to Korean traditions, on the first day of the new year, it is necessary to perform the "sebe" rite - a solemn worship of parents and all the sufferers. The entire first day of the new year, young people visit their elders and bow down three times in a row, falling on their knees and putting their foreheads on their hands folded in front of them in a certain way. In return, the elders give the children traditional Korean sweets and money.

However, the New Year according to the lunar calendar in South Korea- this is not only a family, but also a national holiday. For 15 days, street processions, traditional mass festivities with costumed dances and masquerades are held in the country. Such a vivid spectacle does not leave indifferent either the Koreans themselves or the numerous tourists.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, the European New Year is celebrated on the night of December 31st to January 1st. This holiday is celebrated in all Malaysian states, except those where the Muslim population predominates (for example, in the states of Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu and some others). Some Muslims still take part in New Year's celebrations, although alcohol is prohibited for them.

We are not Muslims, so we celebrated the New Year according to Russian customs, although instead of a Christmas tree we had a palm tree

On New Year's Eve, Malaysian television does not recommend drivers to drive, as all kinds of accidents involving cars driven by drunk drivers have long become an integral part of the holiday. For Malaysia, the New Year is not an official holiday, but thanks to the significant strengthening of the country's foreign policy position and the expansion of its political and economic ties with Europe, most Malaysians willingly adopt the European traditions of celebrating the New Year. In the capital of Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur, as well as in other large Malaysian cities, on New Year's Eve, the magical atmosphere of the New Year holiday reigns.

Oceania

And the inhabitants of Bora Bora in Oceania are the last to celebrate the New Year on the planet. The holiday takes place here, like Brazil, on the sea coast, and exactly at midnight candles are lit, colorful fireworks are launched and frothy New Year's champagne is poured into glasses. There is a belief: if you manage to make a wish a minute before the rising sun appears from under the mountain, then it will certainly come true.

It does not matter where the meeting of the New Year will take place, the main thing is that it will be remembered!

And one more very important remark: so that your journey - the New Year's Eve - always remains travel with pleasure

During one year in the world, within the framework of different religions and different peoples, the New Year is celebrated on different days.

January 1st The New Year officially begins in most countries of the world living according to the Gregorian calendar.

14 january the whole CIS celebrates the Old New Year, it is considered the beginning of the year in Greece. This is the day of St. Basil, who was once famous for his kindness and special love for children.

On the first new moon after January 21(in different years he is met in the interval from January 21 to February 20) the New Year is coming according to the Eastern calendar, which is adhered to by countries such as China, Vietnam, Singapore, Korea, Mongolia, Malaysia, etc.

On the first day of the holy month of Muharram in Islamic countries, the Hijri New Year begins (starting from July 16, 622 according to the Gregorian calendar, each next Hijri New Year comes 11 days earlier than the previous one). The 1st muhkharama is not included in the number of holidays of Islam and, accordingly, in most Muslim countries, the New Year is not celebrated as a holiday in the secular sense. On this day, a sermon is read in mosques dedicated to the move of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina.

24 February Indian New Year Holi holiday. (In India, New Year is celebrated several times on different days).

10th of March The people of Kashmir begin to celebrate the New Year in India and continue to celebrate it until the end of the New Year celebrations in all Indian states.

On the night of March 21-22 New Year comes to the countries living according to the Persian calendar: Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Iran, Pakistan, Azerbaijan. March 22 there is called "Novruz" - the first day of the New Year.

On the first day of the waxing moon of the month of Chaitra according to the Hindu calendar (late March-early April according to the Gregorian), the Indian New Year of Gudi Padwa is celebrated.

From 12 to 17 April New Year is celebrated in Burma. It falls on the hottest and hottest days there. The exact day of the celebration is announced by the Ministry of Culture by a special decree, and the celebrations last for three days.

13 april Songkran Thai New Year is celebrated. On the same day, residents of West Bengal celebrate the New Year in India.

14th of April New Year comes to the territory of Laos. This is the eve of the long-awaited rainy season. On the same day, Hindus from Tamil Nadu celebrate the arrival of the New Year, and this day coincides with the official onset of spring.

1st and 2nd of the month of Tishri according to the Hebrew calendar(usually September Gregorian) New Year is celebrated in Israel, where it is called Rosh Hashanah.

11 September the Ethiopian New Year is coming, which marks the end of the rainy season in Ethiopia.

October 7th new year holidays are coming to Gambia and Indonesia. For local residents, this is a special date - you can put on your best outfits, get prettier, ask each other for forgiveness for all offenses and enter the New Year with a clear conscience.

Night from October 31 to November 1, known in Catholic countries as "Halloween", is considered the beginning of the New Year among the Celtic peoples, and it is called "Samhain". This date is especially important in Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man, where the descendants of the ancient Celts still live and keep centuries-old customs.

November 18th one year is followed by another in the Hawaiian Islands, Oceania and Yemen. In these regions, the New Year is celebrated later than everyone else, when other countries are already preparing to celebrate the next year.

While endless New Year holidays are going on in Russia, Moika78 asked the question - when and how long do residents of different countries have a rest on New Year and Christmas holidays? As it turned out, our winter holidays are not the longest in the world. But they are certainly the most fun.

As you know, in Russia the New Year holidays in 2018 are shorter than usual. If in the old years nobody was surprised to have a rest for 13-14 days in a row, then this year the Russians will start resting on December 31 and will finish on January 9. On the one hand, this is quite enough to walk and celebrate at home and away. On the other hand, there will be enough time to come to your senses and recover, if the first days of the New Year were spent in hopeless fun. Moika78 decided to provide a comparative selection of New Year and Christmas holidays in different countries.

Ukraine

As it was solemnly reported in Kiev, on New Year and Christmas holidays "the Ukrainians were waiting for paired triple weekends." Simply put, the weekend for the New Year 2018 in Ukraine lasted three days - from December 30 to January 1 inclusive. The second "triumphant" weekend in Nezalezhnaya will be the Christmas holidays: January 6, 7 and 8. At the same time, there are no pre-holiday working days shortened by an hour in the country. In general, Ukrainians will have a day less rest than for the winter holidays last year.

Kazakhstan

Residents of Kazakhstan were invited to celebrate the New Year holidays for four days in a row: December 30 and 31 (Saturday and Sunday), and January 1 and 2 (Monday and Tuesday). At the same time, as the Kazakhs were warned in advance, there will be no transfers of holidays and weekends this year. Christmas in Muslim Kazakhstan, of course, is not celebrated at all. But the Kazakhs managed to rest ahead of time - they rested for four days in a row, celebrating Independence Day on December 16, 17, 18 and 19.

Georgia

New Year's holidays in Georgia are also celebrated for four days - December 30 and 31, January 1 and 2. Christmas in 2018 falls on Sunday - and since the holiday calendar weekend in Georgia is not transferred to another date, one day of rest for Georgians is lost. But they will rest for another three whole days on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord - January 19, 20 and 21.

Byelorussia

Despite the fact that Belarus is part of a single Union State with Russia, there are simply no New Year holidays as such. Holidays are considered only January 1 and 7. That is, the Belarusians celebrated the New Year for 3 days thanks to weekends on December 30 and 31, and they have no extra days off for Christmas. Apparently, "daddy" Lukashenko has well figured out how much it will cost even one extra day off to a country that, unlike Russia, does not have any special natural resources or large gold and foreign exchange reserves.

Spain and Italy

In the two Mediterranean countries, winter holidays for residents continue in the same way - from December 25 (Catholic Christmas) to January 6 (Epiphany). During this time, most Spaniards and Italians visit relatives and often visit temples. But for tourists, these "long weekends" create great inconvenience - all this time, all state institutions, as well as most banks and museums are closed.

Germany

In Germany, as in Western Europe in general, Catholic Christmas is much more popular than New Year's. Holidays here are 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January. Moreover, the Germans celebrate Christmas cheerfully and violently - with street festivities, fireworks, night fairs, etc. But the New Year passes here quietly - without fireworks and forays out to friends and neighbors, this is a purely family holiday.

United States

In the United States, in principle, it is not customary to celebrate too much - this has a bad effect on the economy. So there is no question of a long New Year's holidays. The official weekend is for Christmas on December 25-26, and for New Year's on January 1. Moreover, in the States, Christmas is considered to be a quiet family holiday, and New Year is a good reason to kick up. True, very carefully - otherwise it will not leave in one day.

United Kingdom

The British love both Christmas and New Year alike, so the weekend in Foggy Albion lasts from December 25 to January 4. However, in some particularly bizarre regions of Britain - like Scotland and Ireland - the pre-New Year's "revelry" sometimes begins a week before Christmas, and ends a week after the New Year.

Israel

In Israel, the European New Year is not officially celebrated, so December 31 and January 1 are working days. However, the diaspora of Jews from the former USSR, which in the country exceeds 1.1 million people, celebrates a familiar holiday in all Soviet traditions and on a Soviet scale. And on December 31, January 1 and 2, many local "Russians" simply take time off. The Jewish New Year - Rosh Hashanah - has a "floating" date, and is usually celebrated in September for two days.

China

The European New Year in China is called Yuan-dan, and January 1 is a legal day off for the Chinese. Nevertheless, it is not customary in the PRC to celebrate this holiday widely, although Christmas and New Year symbols can be found in shopping centers and business districts where foreigners live. The very same Chinese New Year occurs between January 21 and February 21, it is timed to coincide with the first new moon. In honor of their New Year, the Chinese usually rest for three days (without transferring the weekend).

Japan

Unlike China, in Japan the New Year has a special name "O-shogatsu", and is celebrated on a grand scale. In honor of the holiday, the Japanese go on vacation on December 28 and rest until January 4. These days they are used to walking a lot, as well as visiting relatives and friends.

Brazil

The worst thing is with the New Year's surroundings in Brazil - here the European New Year always falls in the summer. Moreover, the winter months in Brazil are the hottest, and the end of December is the hottest. So there are only two official days off here - December 25 and January 1. On a grand scale, both holidays are celebrated mainly by tourists.

There are many different countries in the world, and accordingly there are peoples on our planet who celebrate the New Year in a completely different way and at a completely different time of the year than, for example, we do.

Our tradition obliges us to prepare for New year starting with Catholic Christmas, celebrate the holiday itself on the night of December 31 to January 1 and continue to celebrate until the Old New Year. This is probably why the New Year is our favorite holiday. Also, on the night of December 31 to January 1, New Year is celebrated in Australia, Scotland, Austria, Japan, Romania, Canada, USA, UAE, Finland and many other countries. But not all. So, the Greek New Year begins simultaneously with our Old New Year - January 14, and is called St. Basil's Day. Every child in Greece knows that Saint Basil is the kindest and most generous, and, expecting gifts from him, they put boots near the fireplace on a festive night, which in the morning will be full of gifts.

The first to meet on the globe New Year the inhabitants of the islands of the Fiji archipelago, consisting of three hundred and twenty islands, some of which are uninhabited.

China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Korea, Mongolia, as well as other countries that practice Buddhism, celebrate the New Year according to the lunar calendar on the first spring new moon. Here, the New Year does not have a fixed date, since the sacred new moon occurs at a different time every year, approximately between January 21 and February 20 (this period is considered early spring for them). Vietnamese on New Year's Eve give family and friends twigs of a blossoming peach tree and small tangerine trees with fruits.

New Year of Muslims - Hijra - is celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Muslim year, and this date is also rolling.

Residents of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, the republics of Central Asia, Iran, Pakistan and Azerbaijan celebrate the New Year - Navruz - on the first day of the coming year according to the Persian calendar. This holiday falls on the night of March 21-22, when the day of the vernal equinox begins.

There are about thirty Indian calendars. So, in the south of India, the New Year is celebrated in March, in the north - in April, in the west - in October, in Kerala - in July, then in August. In some states, during the New Year's festivities, it is allowed to speak only politely, it is forbidden to be angry and swear. In general, there are eight such dates in this country when you can celebrate this event: for example, Gudi Padva. On this day, everyone must certainly eat a few leaves of the nim-nim tree, which, according to ancient beliefs, protect people from diseases and sorrows and, despite the fact that the leaves of these miraculous plants taste terribly bitter and unpleasant, they promise a sweet life.

There is a New Year on earth, which is celebrated on April 1st. So, on the Day of Humor, New Year is celebrated in Odessa. In the same month, the New Year's holiday is also celebrated in Burma. At this time, the hottest days come in Burma, and throughout the holiday Burmese pour water on each other from different dishes. But at the same time, no one is offended by each other, on the contrary, they rejoice, since this ritual is a kind of wish for happiness and prosperity. This day is called the New Year's Water Festival - Tinjan. But the exact date for celebrating the New Year in Burma is set by the Ministry of Culture, it usually happens from 12 to 17 April - shortly after the rainy season ends. The celebration of the New Year lasts for about three days.

In April, on the 13th, the New Year comes to Sri Lanka, as well as to Nepal. In Laos, the capital of Tibet, this holiday is celebrated on April 14 and a gift in the form of rain is expected, since before that there is a prolonged drought season in Tibet, and after April 14 it is rainy.

Oddly enough, but some people celebrate the New Year in the summer. So the Mayan tribes celebrate this holiday on July 16, and the peoples of Djibouti and Niger - in August.

In the fall, New Year is celebrated in Syria - September 1. Further, it is celebrated in Israel. There it is called Rosh Hashan and is celebrated on the first and second day of the month of Tishrei. In Ethiopia, the New Year begins on September 11, and it is associated with the end of the rainy season.

October is the holiday month for Gambia and Indonesia. On New Year's Day, all residents of these countries ask each other for forgiveness for the insults and troubles they brought last year.

November New Year is celebrated in Yemen, Oceania and Hawaii.

Nowhere in the world is New Year celebrated as often as on the Indonesian island of Bali. A year in Bali lasts 210 days. The main attribute of the holiday is colorful rice, from which two-meter ribbons are baked, and from these ribbons they build columns as a gift to the gods. When the celebration ends, the locals disassemble the columns to their homes.

On the day of seeing off the old and celebrating the New Year in Scotland, the doors of all houses are open: everyone can visit any family. The visitor is supposed to bring a piece of coal, go to the family fireplace and wish that the fire in this house does not go out.

In Bulgaria, when the clock strikes midnight, the lights are turned off for three minutes. This time is called the time of New Year's kisses, the secret of which is kept by the darkness.

Cubans throw water from jugs on the ground at midnight - this means that the old year is happily over, and the New one will be as clean and clear as water.

In Romania, it is customary to bake money, rings and hot peppers into pies. If someone comes across a ring, then, according to signs, the coming year will be especially happy.

In Japan, on New Year's Eve, sacred bells ring one hundred and eight times. The Japanese numbers 100 and 8 are considered lucky. With the last blow, you are supposed to go to bed. Here the New Year is celebrated not at midnight, but at sunrise, and the holiday lasts all January. New Year for the Japanese is like a common birthday. They did not have a custom to celebrate the date of birth, the 108th beat adds one to all ages at once, even if the baby was born the day before.

In Guinea, on the first day of the New Year, it is customary to lead elephants along the street.

In Sudan, residents give each other green nuts for good luck.

In Italy, they take care of putting on everything new in the New Year. On December 31, Italians give their loved ones red underwear, as this color symbolizes novelty to them.

The Spaniards in the New Year give each other grapes. Each guest's plate should have exactly twelve grapes at midnight. With each ring of the bell, you need to eat one grape, then good luck will accompany the whole year. Seedless grapes do not bring happiness.

The Swedes give each other homemade candles: at the Arctic Circle it gets dark early in winter, so the light symbolizes friendship, hospitality and fun.

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

The very first people 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 Nuku'alofa (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 New Year's second. He 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 meet him.

+2.00 - The next are the residents of extreme eastern Russia (Anadyr, Kamchatka), the islands of Fiji 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 mentioning separately. In Sydney, there is always a grand celebration. On New Year's Eve, the city looks like a brightly decorated Christmas tree, with branches sagging from the decorations. In the sky over Sydney, numerous fireworks are scattered, 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

+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, New Year is celebrated on January 1. The custom of seeing off the Old Year is a must, with lavish receptions and restaurant visits. At the beginning of the new year, the Japanese start laughing. 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 off. With each blow, everything bad goes away, and will not happen again in the New Year. Among the New Year's accessories, lucky amulets - miniature rakes - are popular. Every Japanese necessarily acquires them, so that on New Year's Eve there is something to rake in happiness. Bamboo rake - kumade is made from 10 cm to 1.5 meters in size and decorated with rich painting. Rice cakes and tangerines are prominently placed in houses, 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 celebration. Thousands of lanterns are lit illuminating the path in 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 festive dinner. During this dinner, which took place under the sign of the unity of the clan, and above all the unity of its living and departed members, its participants eat dishes that are first presented to the spirits of their ancestors. At the same time, family members forgive each other old grudges

+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, 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, people adorn themselves with pink, red, purple, or white flowers. Mothers of southern India place sweets, flowers and small gifts on a special tray, and on the morning of the new year, 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 is the name of the Finnish Santa Claus, a huge basket of gifts. On New Year's Eve, Finns often wonder when trying to find out their future.

In Greece, New Year is the day of St. Basil. Saint Basil was known for his kindness, and Greek children leave their shoes by the fireplace in the hope that Saint Basil will fill them with gifts. It is also customary here 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 rush to get rid of things that have already "served their purpose," sometimes throwing them 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, since it is believed that water brings happiness.

The French, even before Christmas, hang a branch of mistletoe over the door of their houses, believing that it will bring good luck next year. They decorate the whole house with flowers and be sure to put them on the table. In every house, they try to place a model depicting the scene of the birth of Christ. Traditionally, a good host-winemaker on New Year's Eve should clink glasses with a barrel of wine, congratulate her on the holiday and drink to the next harvest.

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

Let's move on to the UK. The bell rings in England about the New Year, the British have a tradition to let the old year out of the house, before the bell rings, they open the back doors of houses, and then open the front 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 out to the ocean and bring gifts to the Goddess of the Sea Yemanja. 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 out to 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 Rio beach to watch the festive fireworks

+17.00 - Argentina and parts of eastern South America

+17.30 - Newfoundland Island (Canada)

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

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

USA. In New York City, Times Square is the traditional ceremonial descent of the famous Ball, sparkling with thousands of neon lights.

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

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

+22.00 - Western 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 Cook Islands

+25.00 - Residents of the state of Samoa celebrate the New Year with the most recent

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