Where does the time go? Last year ended with such great intentions, one of them being to be on time! So, I wrote this article on the 1st January to post on the 4th. What happened? What happened is I presumed as I always do every New Year, that this year will be different. Time is going to slow down. The 24hrs in the day will behave rationally and understand that especially at the beginning of the year, individuals that may have indulged ‘a little’ need time to readjust, to get back into the swing of things. Well it hasn’t happened and although this blog may be surplus to requirements now I’m posting it anyway, because I’ve taken the batteries out of my clock!
Happy reading.
Australia
Perhaps the most famous New Year’s Eve party in the world is in Sydney, where each year they celebrate with two different fireworks shows – the traditional one at the stroke of midnight, and an earlier, more family-friendly option for those with young children. As many as 2 million people cram into the Sydney Harbour area to catch the show every year. Interestingly, the time difference means that Sydney is often the first major global celebration, and is shown on television around the world during the day on New Year’s Eve.
USA
Another powerhouse in the New Year’s Eve stakes is New York City. The ever-popular ball drop – a tradition that started way back in 1907, making it over 100 years old – involves an enormous sparkling ball of glass being lowered down a pole during the last minute of the year, reaching the bottom on the stroke of midnight. Approximately 1 million spectators make their way to Times Square each year to join in the celebrations. Read more about the history of New Year in New York here: http://www.timessquarenyc.org/events/new-years-eve/history/index.aspx#.VnhJ4bTY_FI
Spain
In Spain, families enjoy a large meal together, often feasting on seafood or locally produced lamb. Come the stroke of midnight, they each eat twelve grapes, one for every chime of the clock – an understandable tradition from a wine-producing nation. It’s considered to be good luck for the year ahead if you finish your grapes in time! I was going to do this in honour of my Honduran friend last year until I realised how many grapes I would need!
China
In China, New Year is a little different. Firstly, it doesn’t usually occur until late January or early February, because of the Chinese use of the Lunar calendar. Chinese New Year in 2016 is on February 8, according to the more widely used Gregorian calendar. Chinese New Year is celebrated through temple celebrations – dancing dragon puppets, red lanterns and temple fairs – and family gatherings over a meal of fish or Chinese dumplings. Red envelopes are given with money inside and a list of superstitions is strictly adhered to – such as no crying, no cleaning and no washing of hair!
A useful Chinese New Year link for younger students is
http://www.topmarks.co.uk/ChineseNewYear/ChineseNewYear.aspx while older children can try http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/special-report/chinese-new-year/
Japan
In Japan, New Year’s Eve is traditionally a celebration for Toshigami, the New Year god. A new year in Japan is thought of as totally separate from the year before it, a fresh start; “year forgetting” parties are held, and the sunrise on January 1 is revered.
A more modern tradition is for the Japanese to spend New Year’s Eve in front of the television, enjoying NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Battle) in which famous J-pop singers perform in team songs and fight for viewer votes. It’s one of the most watched television programmes of the year.
For more information: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2064.html
Scotland
New Year in Scotland is more important to some people than any other day. Even Christmas day! The Scottish celebrate Hogmanay which means the last day of the year and they have a wide variety of New Year traditions. One that has spread around the world is Auld Lang Syne which is sang linking hands at midnight and is from a Scots poem by the famous Robert Burns. Another custom is that of first-footing, here the first person to enter a friend or neighbours home brings gifts and luck for the rest of the year. Incidentally tall dark men are preferred as first-footers…I wonder why?
Ros
CREW