Meeting the New Year in Russia is associated with a whole host of traditions, both ancient and modern. The invariable attributes of the New Year holiday in our country are the Christmas tree, the Olivier salad, the Irony of Fate on TV, making wishes to the sound of the Kremlin chimes ...

But their New Year traditions exist in other countries of the world. Moreover, some of them may seem to Russians no less strange than our attachment to Olivier and the adventures of a drunken doctor who got lost between the two capitals to foreigners.

7. Finland. Kissel instead of Olivier

Finnish New Year traditions have not gone too far from Russian ones. In the end, the Finnish Joulupukki is perhaps the most close relative our Santa Claus among foreign New Year's wizards. But what can really surprise you on New Year's Eve in Finland is the dishes of the traditional New Year's table.

Of course, it would be strange if the Finns served Olivier. However, it is unlikely that any of the Russians will be happy if they serve rice porridge for the New Year. And the Finns rejoice, because it is rice porrige- a traditional New Year's dish of the inhabitants of this country. Plum jelly is served with porridge, which also does not fit in the Russian mind, not only with the New Year, but in general with any holiday.

But nothing can be done, other people's traditions should be respected.

By the way, until recently, the visit of Joulupukki for Finnish children looked quite menacing. The wizard appeared in the house with rods and asked the question: “Are there any obedient children in this house?”

But now Joulupukki had to completely abandon the rods - a strict grandfather could rattle in jail for using force against minors.

6. Cuba. water splash

In Cuba, before New Year's midnight, as in Russia, glasses are filled, but not with champagne, but ... with water.

No, it's not at all about the total sobriety of the inhabitants of the Island of Freedom. According to Cuban tradition, with the strike of the clock at midnight, one should throw the water from the glasses into open windows. This means that the old year has ended happily and the Cubans wish each other that the new year will be as clear and pure as water.

Water, by the way, is splashed out not only from glasses - especially generous ones pour it from buckets and basins, so the probability of being doused "for good luck" on New Year's Eve in Cuba is very high.

5. Bulgaria. Blind kisses

In Bulgaria, many New Year traditions are similar to Russian ones, but one of them may surprise an unprepared person, to put it mildly. Exactly at midnight on New Year's Eve, the lights go out in Bulgarian houses, and all those present ... begin to kiss. And it does not matter at all who is with whom - relatives and strangers, men with women, as well as men with men ... True, this does not last very long. After kissing “for good luck”, the hostess of the house cuts the holiday cake, and here one must also be careful - it is customary for Bulgarians to put “surprises” in it. If a branch of a rose comes across, then this is for love, if a coin, this is for wealth. And if you break a tooth - this is a visit to the dentist!

4. Scotland. Coal gift

In Scotland, on New Year's Eve, it is customary to visit each other and give gifts. There are arbitrary gifts, but there are strictly regulated ones. Visiting a Scot on New Year's Eve should come with a piece of cake, a glass of wine and ... a piece of coal. The point is not the stinginess of the Scots, although there are jokes about the frugality of this nation. Coming with such gifts, you wish the owners prosperity - a lot of food, drink and warmth.

The tradition of giving coal on New Year's Eve, obviously, will soon be mastered by Ukrainians. Only one piece is unlikely to cost here - “gift coal buckets” are expected!

3. Spain. Eat grapes, amigo!

In Spain, the New Year is considered a public holiday, and it is customary to celebrate it on the streets of cities. Before New Year's midnight, it is customary to gather at the Christmas tree for central square cities. You should have grapes with you. Under the beat of the clock, you need to try to have time to eat 12 grapes. Each grape represents one month of the coming year, and if you eat all 12 in the allotted time, this guarantees the fulfillment of the most cherished desire.

By the way, if you are timid and your personal life is not going well, you can also turn one Spanish tradition to your advantage. On New Year's Eve in Spain, guys and girls write their names on scraps of paper, which they then draw out like lottery tickets. This is how the pairs of "grooms" and "brides" are determined. Such "love at first sight" lasts, according to tradition, until the end of Christmas time. It's interesting that Catholic Church young people look at such fun through their fingers - “lotteries of brides and grooms” sometimes take place right at local temples.

2. Greece. Get down, pomegranate!

The Greek New Year tradition is also capable of capturing the imagination of those who are not ready for it. If at midnight the owner of the house goes out into the yard and starts throwing agricultural products at the wall, this does not mean that he has “overdone” and it is time to call the police.

According to Greek tradition, at midnight on New Year's Eve, the owner of the house should smash a pomegranate fruit against the wall. If the grains scatter all over the yard, a happy life awaits the family in the coming year.

Yes, and going to the New Year to visit the Greek, do not forget to grab a mossy stone. It should be left to the owners with the words: "Let your money be heavy, like this stone."


1. Italy. Down with the old!

When celebrating the New Year in Italy, on New Year's Eve you should stay away from houses, because it is not known what will fly out of the windows in the next second. Italians are temperamental people, but the point here is not at all a drunken rampage. According to Italian tradition, before the clock strikes midnight, old and unnecessary things should be thrown out of the house so that they remain in the outgoing year with all the hardships and troubles.

One of the most popular New Year's gifts in Italy is red lingerie. It is given to both men and women. Red color in Italians means newness. So the red shorts that Dulin tried to give Mikhalych are just a traditional Italian gift!

Based on materials: http://www.aif.ru/ny/tellings/1414193

New Year in Greece is a holiday that incorporates the past and the present, uniting the secular and religious customs of the country. At first glance, the picture is well known to us - Christmas trees, garlands, festive fireworks. But it is worth taking a closer look, and you can easily find unique, primordially Greek New Year traditions!

Who brings gifts to children?


New Year, aka Προτοχρονια (Protohronia ) is the favorite holiday of Greek children, because it is on this day (and not on Christmas, as in most countries Western Europe), they receive their gifts from St. yatogo Valisius (Greek analogue of Santa Claus).

Saint Basil (Agios Vasilis) was one of the fathers of the Church. And since the celebration of the New Year in Greece coincides with the day of remembrance of St. Basil (he died on January 1, 379), then his role in the celebration is special.

The legend says that during his short life this man constantly helped the poor and needy, and distributed ordinary people all your fortune. Therefore, Basil, who has since received the nickname the Great, has become for the Greeks a symbol of generosity and kindness.
And by the way, his homeland is ancient the city of Caesarea, and not at all the North Pole).
It is interesting that a few decades ago the image of c. Vasily looked a little like Santa Claus. According to church tradition, this is a tall, thin, dark-haired man, in simple clothes with a long dark beard.

Festive image of St. Vasily, in which a few decades ago they congratulated the kids on New Year's parties, resembled the clothes of a priest. On the head of the Greek Santa Claus was a hat like a miter, in his hand was a staff. The costume itself could be any color. Now St. Basil most often appears before children in the form of Santa.

Weather in Greece for the New Year sure to please those who do not like extreme cold and snowdrifts, but at the same time would not mind feeling the romantic charm of European winter. Shopping in the Christmas markets, fun attractions in the city center and a cup of fragrant warming coffee in the nearest eatery - a great "lightweight" option for a winter vacation in Europe!

How is New Year celebrated in Greece?

Almost the same as with us - friends gather in cafes, bars and restaurants or go to someone's house. City streets are packed with people - the main Christmas tree flaunts in the central square of each city; trees, houses and shops around sparkle with festive illumination, here and there there are models of ships and boats decorated with bright lights (read about this tradition).

On the central square, you will definitely find a stage where festive concerts organized by the city authorities take place. For those who celebrate the New Year away from home, the chimes are accompanied by a cannonade of salutes and fireworks.

Greeks and tourists are strolling leisurely through all this hustle and bustle, while teenagers have fun in their own way. They gather in groups and arrange comic wars among themselves, using harmless plastic "weapons".

At the time of the New Year, when the clock struck 12, the lights are turned off in the house, and then turned on, and I begin to congratulate each other with the words Χρόνια πολλά! ( for long years), or Ευτυχισμένο το νέο έτος (happy new year).

gambling

Greeks consider New Year's Eve a happy day, so they are happy to play cards and dice, not only at home, but also in cafes, eateries, clubs throughout the country. What can we say, even the main prize of the national Greek lottery - several million euros - is played on the first day of the new year!

In the evening, in anticipation of the chiming clock, the Greeks spend their leisure time playing cards - this is considered a good omen. Moreover, they play for money, although the bet amounts are usually symbolic - so that the losers do not get upset.

Festive table

In every house on this day, there is always a vasilopita - a Greek New Year's pie (Saint Basil's pie). The preparation of such a pie is one of the oldest pre-Christian traditions that has survived to this day. On January 1, Greeks gather with their families to cut a cake together, which is baked with a gold coin inside. The head of the family cuts the cake and the first piece is traditionally dedicated to Christ, the second to the whole house as a whole, and the rest are distributed among the whole family. The one in whose piece of cake there is a coin will be happy all next year.

As a rule, hostesses try to leave one place for festive table empty. This place is dedicated to St. Basil, since such a symbolic presence of him - good sign for family.

Kalo Podariko or First Enterer

New Year's Eve in Greecedoes not do without another tradition. After midnight, the first guest in the house should be a good person who will bring good luck and prosperity to the owners. Therefore, the Greeks specially invite lucky relatives or acquaintances for this purpose, but most often–children, as they symbolize purity of intention and innocence. Following the first person who entered the threshold of the house, all household members take turns crossing the threshold, and the step must be taken from the right foot.


Pomegranate

In one of the previous posts about this custom was already mentioned. Pomegranate, since ancient times considered a symbol of fertility, rebirth and prosperity, plays not last role in New Year's rituals. In ancient times, a pomegranate was hung over front door to bring happiness into the house.

Now the Greeks even take this fruit to church to bless it for a special ritual. Before the clock strikes 12, marking the start of the New Year, everyone in the household leaves the house and turns off the lights.

The person who steps into the house after the First Enterer (see previous paragraph) holds a pomegranate in right hand and with force breaks it on the threshold. It is believed that the number of fallen seeds symbolizes the amount of happiness for the family in the coming year.

KAli Hera

As you have already noticed, the traditions of the New Year in Greece are given Special attention children. For example, in addition to gifts from St. Basil, they also receive gifts from their closest relatives. Grandparents, aunts and uncles give money to kids (Hera) or sweets as a wish for the best for the coming year. By the way, on New Year's Eve, as well as on Christmas, children go around relatives, friends and neighbors, singing carols.

local customs

Each region has its own.K pFor example, in Crete, it was customary to bring a plant called “sea onion” (Drimia seaside) into the house for the New Year. It is a wild, onion-like poisonous plant that even animals do not eat - it causes a rash on contact with the skin. However, it has interesting property- even if the sea onion is removed from the soil with a root, it does not dry out. It is believed that its ability to withstand the most adverse conditions can be transferred to humans and inanimate objects. This tradition has been known since the time of Pythagoras, from the 6th century BC, and is one of the oldest in Greece.


As you can see, the Greeks approach the celebration of the New Year with all responsibility, trying to attract happiness, money and good luck to the house. After all, faith in the good, as you know, can work wonders!

Greece not without reason is considered a country in which respected and preserved folk traditions. Especially carefully Greeks keep traditions during the main Orthodox holidays, such as Christmas And Easter.

And for New Year have their own traditions, their own talismans, the origin of which is rooted in deep antiquity before the birth of Christianity in Greece. If in last days walk through the streets of Greek cities before the change of year, you will notice that pomegranate fruits and plants with long leaves wrapped in bright foil are sold at all corners. This is one of the most common Greek New Year's mascots.

Pomegranate - Ρόδι

For thousands of years, the fruit of the pomegranate has been viewed by various peoples and cultures as a symbol of fertility, abundance and good luck. ancient
the Greeks, entering a new house, smashed a grenade on the threshold. This tradition has been preserved in Greece to this day. In the New Year, it is also customary to break the pomegranate fruit on the threshold of the house.

IN different regions countries follow this tradition in different ways. Usually the whole family leaves the house a few minutes before midnight, turning off the lights. Immediately after the onset of the New Year, everyone exchanges congratulations, after which the owner of the house or another member of the family, considered lucky, breaks a pomegranate fruit on the threshold, and everyone enters the house without fail with their right foot.

In others Greek regions the tradition of breaking the pomegranate occurs either on the morning of January 1, or immediately after divine liturgy, on which the family takes the fruit of the pomegranate with them to church. In some families, the pomegranate for the New Year is removed from the tree on the day of the Holy Cross, September 14th.

From this tradition comes the famous Greek expression "Έσπασε το ρόδι" - "Smashed the pomegranate", which means a good start anything. As an expression with the opposite meaning, there is "I will call you to break a pomegranate on New Year's Eve." This phrase is used with irony in relation to the loser.

Christmas bow - Πρωτοχρονιάτικη κρεμμύδα

Other famous in Greece New Year's talisman is the "New Year's bow" - the plant "sea bow" (Latin name Scilla Maritima), which grows along the shores of almost all Mediterranean countries. The ancient Greeks considered this plant a symbol of rebirth and health. This plant is extremely unpretentious and can withstand quite a long time without water and even without soil.

These days, the root of the squill is exhibited outside the threshold of many Greek houses on December 31st. On the morning of the first day of the New Year, the father or mother of the family takes a bow from behind the door and lightly taps the sleeping other members of the family with it. This means that it is time for them all to get up and go to church for a festive service in honor of Saint Basil, which in Greece plays the role of Santa Claus. After returning from the church, the talisman bow is hung somewhere in the house and attracts health and happiness.

Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!!! And may there be more good traditions in our families that we can pass on to our children!


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The end of the year in all countries of the world is marked by a series of bright holidays. This time is considered the most magical time, so we all think about how to celebrate the New Year long before January. And many come up with the idea to go to celebrate in another country in order to have an amazing, unexpected and, of course, a bright start to the next year. We will dedicate today's material to such brave and desperate travelers: we will talk about how the New Year is celebrated in Greece and what tourists should expect from local traditions.

New Year in Athens

Preparing for the New Year in Greece

An unimaginable atmosphere of miracles and magic reigns on the Greek streets immediately with the onset of winter. Residents literally decorate each town from head to toe: festive illumination pleases the eye not only on the streets and in shop windows, but also in courtyards and windows of houses. You can enjoy the colorful decoration of the streets of Greece during the entire period of celebration and constantly find something new in it.

Interestingly, the traditions of celebrating the New Year in Greece extend to the decoration of ships. Illuminated sails and masts of ships standing in ports in the dark twinkle like a myriad of stars. An indescribable spectacle!

Arriving in advance for the Christmas holidays in Greece is also worth it for the sake of successful shopping. Promotions and sales shops start 2 weeks before the onset public holidays. By the way, during this period, trade is so brisk that even the traditional siesta for the Greeks is canceled. boutiques and shopping centers work on an extended schedule, sparing no effort to ensure that the Greek Agios Vasilis (Santa Claus) has time to buy gifts for all children and adults.

So if you are going to celebrate the New Year in Greece, then think about how to plan a vacation also around Christmas. Catch two winter holidays at once and get acquainted with the traditions of another country - isn't this an excellent start for a successful and productive next year?


How New Year and Christmas are celebrated in Greece - history, customs and traditions

At first glance, modern Greece looks like an ordinary European country on New Year's Eve. Christmas souvenirs are everywhere, decorated Christmas trees, colored lights of illuminations and dressed up Santa Clauses. Of course, American influence noticeably standardized the symbols of the New Year, but in Greece they do not forget about national New Year customs and traditions.

New Year traditions in Greece, as in other countries, took shape over the years, passing from generation to generation. However, not always what was traditional for ancient greece turned into the New Year traditions of modern Greece. Therefore, we will consider the historical and current customs of the Hellenes separately.


New Year in Ancient Greece

As you know, there were many gods in Ancient Hellas. Therefore, the Greeks can’t talk about Christmas here, but the New Year in Greece has been celebrated for centuries.

The Hellenes celebrated something, but again with a demonstration of the free Greek temper - the New Year in Ancient Greece fell on June 22, the day of the summer solstice. Why was this day chosen to start the year? There are two versions. The first relates the choice of date to the ceremony of holding Olympic Games: They started on the first full moon following the summer solstice.

According to another legend, the lunar calendar was so simply regulated, which then guided the Greeks. The month was either 29 or 30 days, thus 11 days were lost solar year. The Hellenes understood this and tried to settle the difference by adding the missing days every 8 years. For the beginning of the reckoning, it was convenient to use days clearly associated with natural phenomena.

A fluffy Christmas tree, falling snow flakes, the aroma of tangerines and the chiming clock - this is exactly what the New Year is like for most people in Russia. But if you list all these signs to foreigners, then many of them simply do not understand what in question because for them the holiday is something else. What are the New Year traditions different countries for children and adults, does everyone celebrate the arrival of the new 12 months on January 1st?

Europe

Of all parts of the world, it is Europe that is closest in mentality to the inhabitants of Russia. Similar are the traditions of celebrating holidays. Although there are still some differences. The main one is that most European countries first celebrates Christmas on December 25, and then only the New Year. And the first holiday is given much more attention. Nevertheless, January 1 is still celebrated. How does this happen?

How is the New Year celebrated in other European countries? In Scotland, it is customary to keep doors open until the clock strikes midnight - this is how the old one leaves and comes New Year. The Greeks smash grenades against the wall of the house - if the grains scattered around the yard, then the year will be successful. And the Icelanders dress up as trolls and elves and dance around a big fire.

America

Although America is located quite far from Europe and from Russia, many customs associated with the main winter holiday, similar:

  1. Residents of the United States, like the Russians, not only meet January 1, but also see off the outgoing 365 days on December 31, so the festivities begin the day before. And on the first day of the new year, bright and colorful parades are held throughout the country.
  2. Canada is considered a country of emigrants - here you can meet Italians, Russians, British, French, and Chinese. Therefore, the holiday can take place in different parts countries differently. Common to all is that the New Year is celebrated most often on the street with friends.
  3. In Mexico, people celebrate the holiday with both friends and family. There are no strict rules on this. But in whatever circle the celebration takes place, the Mexicans will do the following: under the chiming clock, they will eat 12 grapes and make 12 wishes. And then they will go outside to watch the fireworks and fireworks.
  4. Colombia and Brazil are transformed on New Year's holidays. Carnivals and parades take place everywhere, salutes and fireworks soar into the air.
  5. New Year in Argentina is very similar to the one Russians are used to. Argentines open a bottle of champagne at midnight, gathering in the family circle. And then they go out into the street and blow up firecrackers.

There are no unusual New Year traditions in different countries of America. Everything that can happen on a distant continent has long been known in Russia.

Asia

Many Asian countries do not live according to the Gregorian, but Chinese calendar. And therefore, the onset of a new 365-day cycle is celebrated not on January 1, but in the period between January 21 and February 19. And only the Japanese do it, like most other nations, on January 1st.

  1. In Japan, they are very afraid that evil spirits will settle in the house, and therefore, in order to scare them away, they begin to laugh loudly at midnight. A bundle of straw hung over the entrance to the house, also, according to the inhabitants of the country rising sun should not allow evil spirits to enter the home.
  2. Thailand, so beloved by the people of Russia as a place to relax, celebrates Songkran (Thai New Year) on April 13-19. At this time, everyone pours water on each other, because the country is running out of water. hot season and the rainy season begins. This transition (and Songkran is translated that way) is usually celebrated by taking an impromptu shower.
  3. New Year celebrations in India are held in different time, depending on the province. Somewhere the holiday falls in mid-April, and somewhere - at the beginning of March. The celebrations themselves are similar to those that take place in Bali: the festivities stretch over several days, and in the finale a papier-mâché effigy is burned, symbolizing the past, which people are ready to let go.
  4. In Vietnam, the arrival time of the next 12 months depends on lunar calendar. It is considered great luck if you managed to celebrate the holiday in the presence of a person 70 years old or older - it symbolizes the wisdom that should descend on all guests.
  5. Perhaps the most ancient tradition of celebrating. They have been around for centuries and are still observed today. Like the Japanese, the Chinese believe that it is possible to ward off evil spirits from the house by having a lot of fun, blowing up firecrackers and laughing. In China, red is considered another way to get rid of evil spirits - hence there are so many shades of red in the New Year decorations of the Middle Kingdom.

It is obvious that the New Year traditions of different countries of the world are very different from those that are inherent in Asian states. But those more interesting culture eastern neighbors of Russia.

Africa

Since most of the countries of the black continent used to be colonies of some European states, many of their customs are similar to English and French. But, nevertheless, in some regions, ancient African traditions have been preserved.

For example, in Ethiopia, the year has not 12, but 13 months, and its beginning falls on September 1. At this time, the rainy season ends, and people tend to enter into new life clean and free from sins. To do this, they bathe in the river, and then arrange ritual dances around the fire.

An interesting custom exists in Côte d'Ivoire, or rather in the Abidji tribe, where locals arrange races on all fours with chicken egg in the mouth. The one who reaches the finish line first is considered the luckiest.

Residents of South Africa, like most of the world's population, celebrate the New Year on January 1st. After midnight, they throw out unnecessary household items from windows - from old boxes to large-sized furniture. It is for this reason that the police block traffic and advise pedestrians not to approach residential buildings.

New Year's traditions of different countries can be studied endlessly, because even within one of them they can vary greatly. And in Russia there are places where the arrival of the new 12 months is celebrated differently than in most cities of the largest country in the world.