Day: December 2, 2021

Japan

. In Japan, there are also customs and traditions associated with in the New Year celebration. Here are just a few of them.

Deep Cleaning

In Japanese culture, the new year must begin on a clean slate. As a result, Japanese people usually partake in something called oosouji, or “big cleaning.” A lot of times, every inch of the household is cleaned, including places that remain untouched other times of the year. On a personal piece of anecdotal information, I remember my family moving even the fridge during oosouji, and vacuuming under there as well. It was exhausting for me as a child, but satisfying now to think of a house well-cleaned.

Spain

Spanish people celebrate the New Year with great warmth
and gusto.

Lots of food,
drinks, song, dance and gifts add festivity and fun to the New
Year celebration in Spain.

The streets are beautifully lit, shops
display all kinds of holiday merchandise and friends and family
participate in festive parties dressed in thick woollies to combat
the chilly December night.

celebrate happy new year

In Spain, 31 December is a very special celebration, where the fun and partying go on well into the early hours.

Italy

Many Italians celebrate the end of the old year and the start of New Year’s Day with fireworks. Many people celebrate a New Year’s dinner with dishes that include:

• Risotto in bianco (white risotto).
• Lentils (symbolizing wealth/good fortune).
• Cotechino (pork sausage boiled over low heat for hours before serving).
• Zampone (a type of sausage).
• Raisins (for good luck).

German

Germans call New Year’s Eve “Silvester,” in honor of Pope Sylvester I, who died on December 31, 335. According to the legend, non-believers who were around him choked on fish bones. Some superstitious people therefore state that one shold avoid fish that night, or at least eat it very carefully