Thursday 25 December 2014

The day of fire

Christmas is not celebrated by everybody, but New Years sure is. The people who do not go to firework shows or countdowns in the center of the city, do change calendars and say "happy new year" to everyone they meet the next day.

New Years was not always on January 1. It is only like this in the Gregorian calender, and there were many other calendars floating around the world at the time.

Lithuania was among the first places to start using the Gregorian calendar, on 1362. Venice started using it on 1522, followed closely by Germany, Spain, France and the Netherlands. Scotland started using the calendar 1600, but it was not until 1752 that the British started using the calendar. Soon, the entire world was using it, and Thailand began celebrating New Years on 1941.

China, and other countries in the area, are not using the Gregorian calendar. China has an ancient calendar of its own, and in this calendar it is the year of the horse, and New Years is February 19. Last year it was January 31 and next year it will be February 8. This is the Lunisolar calendar, and has been adopted by other countries like Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.

A list of cities and how they celebrate Gregorian or Lunisolar New Years there:

Shanghai

Lunisolar new years are usually three-day celebrations. In Shanghai, a light and sound show is put on. The following is common everywhere in China, particularly Beijing:

The first day of the year is a day to ward off evil spirits. This is done by burning firecrackers and bamboo poles.

The second day of the year is when there are feasts, and is the time you want family members over.

The third day is a day of evil spirits. Many things are considered unlucky on this day.

Hong Kong

New Year's Eve is celebrated in Hong Kong the same way it is celebrated in New York.

Goa

Many Indians go to Goa for the live concerts and other festivities there. It is common for them to spend time with family on New Year's Eve.

Jakarta

In Jakarta, there is a countdown and fireworks party. Out of the center of the city, there is dancing and trumpets.

Tokyo

Balloon releasing in the Zojoji Temple, lighting of the Tokyo Tower and the year number displayed in the observatory.

Seoul

Ringing of the Bosingak bell 33 times and fireworks display. Some Koreans believe that if you eat a special soup at New Year's, you gain a year of life, and if you do not, you get bad luck.

Manila

There are quite a few ways to celebrate New Years eve in the Philippines. Some eat barbecued food. Some wear polka-dotted shirts. Some throw around coins to increase wealth the coming year. Some jump to increase their height. Some eat grapes, and some blow car horns to scare off evil spirits. Some also go to parties and set off fireworks.

Riyadh

Nothing. New years celebrations in Saudi Arabia have been banned by the religious police.

Singapore

Hundreds of thousands gather to watch "wishing spheres", as well as an arts display, on the wharf. Also, there are countdown events across Singapore.

Taipei

Gigantic countdown fireworks show involving Taipei 101.

Lagos

People gather to watch the Lagos Countdown.

Casablanca

A fireworks display. The only other large fireworks displays in Africa are in Ghana.

Auckland

The first major cities to witness New Years are in New Zealand. Auckland celebrates with a fireworks display.

Sydney

The first city of over one million people west of the International date line, Sydney has one of the largest firework celebrations in the world.

London

At the stroke of midnight, people around the Big Ben join hands and sing Auld Lang Syne.

On the night of 2010-2011, there was a fireworks show along with a musical soundtrack around the London Eye.

2011-2012, there was a parade and a fireworks show around the Big Ben.

Paris

Celebrating at parties with foie gras, oysters, and champagne. It can be a simple dinner, or a fancy ball.

Berlin

The largest fireworks celebration in Europe, focused around the Brandenburg Gate.

Budapest

A dinner with traditional dishes. The Timewheel runs out on the New Year, and is mechanically rotated so that sand goes through it for another year.

Reykjavik

Fireworks are very popular. Many stay up very late. (Not as if there is more than an hour of light in the first place.)

Rotterdam

There is a central fireworks display on one of the bridges. New year's Eve is celebrated with a cozy night with family and snacks like Oliebollen.

Moscow

The tolling of the Kremlin clock and the singing of the Russian national anthem.

Edinburgh

The firing of a cannon and the stroke of midnight brings a famous fireworks display.

Belgrade

In Serbia, Santa Claus comes a week late!

Madrid

A countdown and a seafood dinner.

Toronto

Late-night partying, sporting events, and free public transit.

Mexico City

Mexican sweet bread is baked with a coin in the dough. Whoever finds the coin gets the luck of the new year. This is one tradition. There are many more.

New York 

A ball drop in Times Square. One of the most popular New Years events in the world.

As you can see, there are many, many events around the world on one day. It is almost time for these festivities. 

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