The feeling that the New Year is approaching makes people see the world around
them in a brighter light. The days before New Year’s Eve are the time of
celebration and joy, as it takes us to the beginning of the New Year’s cycle. It
is a new beginning, leaving the worries and sadness behind and welcoming the New
Year with open arms. Different cultures have their specific ways to celebrate
the arrival of New Year, with the traditions and customs begin specific for each
region, country and its people. New Year Eve in Spain is known as Noche Vieja
and is quite an impressive spectacle. Read on to discover all about celebrating
New Year in Spain.
New Year Celebrations In Spain
New Year is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fanfare around the world and
Spain does not stand among the exceptions. People in the country set themselves
in the holiday mood, as the New Year approaches. Celebrations take place in a
unique and special style, with full zeal and gusto. Just like in the most other
countries, in Spain also, the beginning of December brings decoration of
streets, shop windows, restaurants, coffee bars and houses, which adds to the
festive atmosphere and bring smiles to people’s faces. All malls of Spanish
cities undoubtedly include church bells and grapes, as their décor items.
Spanish folks make New Year strictly a private affair and celebrate it with
close family members and friends only.
Large feasts and merry making by all the members of the family mark Spain New
Year celebrations. People dress themselves in new clothes and gather at midnight
to offer their prayers. The celebrations usually begin with a family dinner,
traditionally including shrimp and lamb or turkey. Spanish people party on New
Year with the family, glued to the T.V. waiting for a clock tower bell to ring
12 times. Everyone closely follows the instructions of the New Year’s program,
as they discuss how they will eat their grapes. People keep 12 grapes ready and
as soon as the clock strikes 12 at the midnight and, the church bells sound 12
times, all Spaniards eat 12 grapes, one for each toll of the bell.
As per tradition, those who eat the grapes have 12 months of prosperity in the
New Year. Families and friends stay together for this celebration and toast with
sparkling wine, such as cava or champagne, or alternatively with cider. After
the family dinner and grapes, many young people attend New Year parties at pubs,
discothèques and similar places and party until morning. In the monring, they
gather together to have the traditional winter breakfast of chocolate con
churros (hot chocolate and fried pastry). Another New Year custom is to prepare
special cakes for the event. The cake is shaped like a ring and goodies and
gifts are kept inside it. It is divided among people and the one who gets the
goodies is supposes to be blessed with good luck all through the year.
New Year's Eve fireworks are mostly accompanied with a big noise, since the old
times. According to the old beliefs, noise and fire repel evil spirits and bring
happiness and good luck. Dancing also ranks among the popular New Year
traditions in Spain. In places like Madrid, Barcelona and other places,
thousands of people come out in the streets and indulge in dancing and
merriment. People dress themselves in bright costumes and dance in groups.
Fireworks are also lit up. The New Year tradition in Spain indeed brings out the
vibrant atmosphere of the country!!
|
|
