Report on the topic: “How the New Year is celebrated in different countries of the world.” When do you celebrate New Year?

New Year is a truly international holiday, but different countries celebrate it in their own way. Italians throw old irons and chairs out of windows with all the southern passion, Panamanians try to make as much noise as possible by turning on their car sirens, whistling and shouting. In Ecuador, they attach special importance to underwear, which brings love and money; in Bulgaria, they turn off the lights because the first minutes of the New Year are the time New Year's kisses. In Japan, instead of 12, the bell rings 108 times, and the best New Year's accessory is considered to be a rake - to rake in good fortune.

Italy. On New Year's Day, irons and old chairs fly from the windows

In Italy, the New Year begins on January 6th. According to legend, on this night he flies on a magic broom Kind fairy Befana. She opens the doors with a small golden key and, entering the room where the children sleep, fills the children's stockings, specially hung by the fireplace, with gifts. For those who have studied poorly or been naughty, Befana leaves a pinch of ash or coal.

Italian Santa Claus - Babbo Natale. In Italy, it is believed that the New Year should begin, freed from everything old. Therefore, on New Year's Eve it is customary to throw old things out of windows. Italians really like this custom, and they fulfill it with the passion characteristic of southerners: old irons, chairs and other rubbish fly out the window. According to signs, new things will certainly take the vacated space.

Italians always have nuts, lentils and grapes on their New Year's table - symbols of longevity, health and prosperity.

In the Italian provinces, this custom has long existed: on January 1, early in the morning, you need to bring water from a source home. “If you have nothing to give to your friends,” the Italians say, “give water with an olive sprig.” Water is believed to bring happiness.

For Italians, it is also important who they meet first in the new year. If on January 1 the first person an Italian sees is a monk or priest, that’s bad. It is also undesirable to meet a small child, but meeting a hunchbacked grandfather is fortunate.

Ecuador. Red underwear - for love, yellow - for money

In Ecuador, at the stroke of midnight, dolls will be burned to the so-called "cry of widows" who mourn their " bad husbands"As a rule, "widows" are portrayed by men dressed in women's clothing, with makeup and wigs.

For those who want to travel all year round, tradition dictates: while the clock strikes 12 times, run around the house with a suitcase or large bag in hand.

Do you want to get very rich in the coming year or gain great love? In order for money to “fall out of the blue” in the new year, you need to put on your clothes as soon as the clock strikes 12 underwear yellow shades.

If you don’t need money, but happiness in your personal life, then your underwear should be red.

The best way Ecuadorians see the way to get rid of all the sad moments that happened in the past year by throwing a glass of water into the street, with which everything bad will break into pieces.

Sweden. New Year - a holiday of light

In Sweden, before the New Year, children choose the Queen of Light, Lucia. She is dressed up in White dress, a crown with lit candles is put on the head. Lucia brings gifts for children and treats for pets: cream for the cat, a sugar bone for the dog, and carrots for the donkey. On a festive night, the lights in the houses do not go out, the streets are brightly lit.

SOUTH AFRICA. Police close neighborhoods to traffic - refrigerators fly from windows

In the industrial capital of this state - Johannesburg - residents of one of the neighborhoods traditionally celebrate the New Year by throwing out their windows various items- from bottles to large furniture.

South African police have already closed the Hillbrow area to vehicular traffic and have asked residents in the area not to throw refrigerators out of their windows. New Year's Eve. According to a police representative, due to the existing tradition, this quarter is considered the most dangerous in the city.

“We have distributed thousands of leaflets asking people not to throw things like refrigerators out of windows or shoot guns in the air. firearms"said South African police spokesman Cribhne Nadu.

About 100 police officers will patrol this area on New Year's Eve.

England. To be together for a whole year, lovers must kiss

In England, on New Year's Day, it is customary to stage performances for children based on the plots of old English fairy tales. Lord Disorder leads a cheerful carnival procession, in which fairy-tale characters take part: Hobby Horse, March Hare, Humpty Dumpty, Punch and others. Throughout New Year's Eve, street vendors sell toys, whistles, squeakers, masks, and balloons.

It was in England that the custom of exchanging for the New Year arose greeting cards. The first New Year's card was printed in London in 1843.

Before going to bed, children put a plate on the table for the gifts that Santa Claus will bring them, and put hay in their shoes - a treat for the donkey.

The bell heralds the arrival of the New Year. True, he starts calling a little earlier than midnight and does it in a “whisper” - the blanket with which he is wrapped prevents him from demonstrating all his power. But at exactly twelve the bells are stripped and they begin to ring loudly in honor of the New Year.

At these moments, lovers, in order not to separate next year, must kiss under a mistletoe branch, which is considered a magical tree.

IN English houses Turkey with chestnuts and fried potatoes with sauce, as well as stewed Brussels sprouts with meat pies, followed by pudding, sweets, and fruit.

In the British Isles, the custom of “letting in the New Year” is widespread - a symbolic milestone of transition from past life to a new one. When the clock strikes 12, the back door of the house is opened to let out the Old Year, and with the last stroke of the clock, the front door is opened to let in the New Year.

Scotland. You need to set fire to a tar barrel and roll it down the street

In Scotland, New Year's Day is called Hogmany. On the streets the holiday is celebrated with a Scottish song based on the words of Robert Burns. According to custom, on New Year's Eve, barrels of tar are set on fire and rolled through the streets, thus burning the Old Year and inviting the New.

The Scots believe that whoever enters their house first in the new year determines the success or failure of the family for the entire next year. Great luck, in their opinion, is brought by a dark-haired man who brings gifts into the house. This tradition is called first footing.

For the New Year, special traditional dishes are prepared: for breakfast they usually serve oatcakes, pudding, a special type of cheese - kebben, for lunch - boiled goose or steak, pie or apples baked in dough.

Guests should definitely bring a piece of coal with them to throw into the New Year's fireplace. At exactly midnight, the doors swing wide open to let out the old one and let in the New Year.

Ireland. Puddings are held in high esteem

Irish Christmas is more religious holiday than just entertainment. Lighted candles are placed near the window on the evening before Christmas to help Joseph and Mary if they are looking for shelter.

Irish women bake a special treat, seed cake, for each family member. They also make three puddings - one for Christmas, another for New Year's and a third for Epiphany Eve.

Colombia. The old year walks on stilts

Main character New Year's carnival in Colombia - Old Year. He walks in the crowd on high stilts and tells children funny stories. Papa Pasquale is the Colombian Santa Claus. No one knows how to make fireworks better than him.

On New Year's Eve, a parade of dolls takes place on the streets of Bogota: dozens of doll clowns, witches and other fairy-tale characters attached to the roofs of cars drive through the streets of Candelaria, the most ancient district of the Colombian capital, saying goodbye to the residents of the city.

Vietnam. New Year floats on the back of a carp

New Year, Spring Festival, Tet - all these are the names of the most fun Vietnamese holiday. The branches of a blossoming peach - a symbol of the New Year - should be in every home.

Children eagerly wait for midnight, when they can start firing small homemade firecrackers.

In Vietnam, New Year is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, between January 21 and February 19, when spring begins here. There are bouquets of flowers at the festive table. On New Year's Eve, it is customary to give each other peach tree branches with swollen buds. At dusk, Vietnamese people light bonfires in parks, gardens or on the streets, and several families gather around the bonfires. Special rice delicacies are cooked over coals.

On this night all quarrels are forgotten, all insults are forgiven. The Vietnamese believe that a god lives in every home, and on New Year's Day this god goes to heaven to tell how each family member spent the past year.

The Vietnamese once believed that God swam on the back of a carp. Nowadays, on New Year's Day, the Vietnamese sometimes buy live carp and then release it into a river or pond. They also believe that the first person to enter their home on New Year's Day will bring good or bad luck for the coming year.

Nepal. New Year is celebrated at sunrise

In Nepal, New Year is celebrated at sunrise. At night when full moon, Nepalese light huge fires and throw unnecessary things into the fire. The next day the Festival of Colors begins. People paint their faces, arms, and chests with unusual patterns, and then dance and sing songs in the streets.

France. The main thing is to hug the barrel of wine and congratulate it on the holiday

French Santa Claus - Père Noel - comes on New Year's Eve and leaves gifts in children's shoes. The one who gets the bean baked into the New Year's pie receives the title of "bean king" and on the festive night everyone obeys his orders.

Santons are wooden or clay figurines that are placed near the Christmas tree. According to tradition, a good winemaker must clink glasses with a barrel of wine, congratulate it on the holiday and drink to the future harvest.

Finland. Homeland of Santa Claus

In snowy Finland, the main winter holiday is Christmas, which is celebrated on December 25th. On Christmas night, having overcome a long journey from Lapland, Father Frost comes to homes, leaving a large basket of gifts for the joy of the children.

New Year is a kind of repetition of Christmas. Once again the whole family gathers around a table bursting with a variety of dishes. On New Year's Eve, Finns try to find out their future and tell fortunes by melting wax and then pouring it into cold water.

Germany. Santa Claus comes to the Germans on a donkey

In Germany, they believe that Santa Claus appears on a donkey on New Year's Day. Before going to bed, children put a plate on the table for the gifts that Santa Claus will bring them, and put hay in their shoes - a treat for his donkey.

Cuba. Water is poured from the windows

Children's New Year's celebration in Cuba it is called Kings Day. The wizard kings who bring gifts to children are named Balthazar, Gaspar and Melchor. The day before, children write letters to them in which they tell them about their cherished desires.

On New Year's Eve, Cubans fill all the dishes in the house with water, and at midnight they begin to pour it out of the windows. This is how all the residents of Liberty Island wish the New Year a bright and clear path, like water. In the meantime, while the clock strikes 12 strokes, you need to eat 12 grapes, and then goodness, harmony, prosperity and peace will accompany you all twelve months.

Panama. The loudest New Year

In Panama, at midnight, when the New Year is just beginning, all the bells ring, sirens howl, cars honk. The Panamanians themselves - both children and adults - at this time shout loudly and knock on everything they can get their hands on. And all this noise is to “appease” the year that is coming.

Hungary. You need to whistle for the New Year

In Hungary, during the “fateful” first second of the New Year, they prefer to whistle - using not their fingers, but children’s pipes, horns, and whistles.

It is believed that they are the ones who drive away evil spirits from the home and call for joy and prosperity. When preparing for the holiday, Hungarians do not forget about magical power New Year's dishes: beans and pears preserve the strength of spirit and body, apples - beauty and love, nuts can protect from trouble, garlic - from diseases, and honey - sweeten life.

Burma. Tug of war brings good luck

In Burma, the New Year falls between April 12 and April 17. The Ministry of Culture notifies the exact day of the celebration by a special order, and the holiday lasts three days.

According to ancient beliefs, the rain gods live on the stars. Sometimes they gather at the edge of the sky to play with each other. And then on earth it's raining, which promises a rich harvest.

To gain the favor of the star spirits, the Burmese came up with a competition - tug of war. Men from two villages take part in them, and in the city - from two streets. And women and children applaud and shout, urging on the lazy rain spirits.

Israel. One should eat sweet foods and abstain from bitter foods

New Year (Rosh Hashanah) is celebrated in Israel on the first two days of the month of Tishrei (September). Rosh Hashanah is the anniversary of the creation of the world and the beginning of the reign of God.

The New Year holiday is a day of prayer. According to custom, on the eve of the holiday they eat special food: apples with honey, pomegranate, fish, as a symbolic expression of hopes for coming year. Each meal is accompanied short prayer. Generally, it is customary to eat sweet foods and abstain from bitter foods. On the first day of the New Year, it is customary to go to the water and say the Tashlikh prayer.

India. New Year - holiday of lights

IN different parts India celebrates New Year in different time of the year. At the beginning of summer there is Lori holiday. Children collect dry branches, straw, and old things from the house in advance. In the evening, large bonfires are lit, around which people dance and sing.

And when autumn comes, Diwali is celebrated - the festival of lights. Thousands of lamps are placed on the roofs of houses and on window sills and lit on the festive night. The girls float small boats across the water, with lights on them too.

Japan. Best gift- a rake to rake in happiness

Japanese children celebrate the New Year in new clothes. It is believed to bring health and good luck in the New Year. On New Year's Eve, they hide under their pillow a picture of a sailboat on which seven fairy-tale wizards are sailing - the seven patrons of happiness.

Ice palaces and castles, huge snow sculptures of fairy-tale heroes decorate northern Japanese cities on New Year's Eve.

108 strikes of the bell herald the arrival of the New Year in Japan. According to a long-standing belief, each ringing “kills” one of the human vices. According to the Japanese, there are only six of them (greed, anger, stupidity, frivolity, indecision, envy). But each of the vices has 18 different shades - that’s why the Japanese bell tolls.

In the first seconds of the New Year, you should laugh - this should bring good luck. And so that happiness comes into the house, the Japanese decorate it, or rather front door, branches of bamboo and pine - symbols of longevity and fidelity. Pine represents longevity, bamboo - fidelity, and plum - love of life.

The food on the table is also symbolic: long pasta is a sign of longevity, rice is a sign of prosperity, carp is a sign of strength, beans are a sign of health. Every family prepares a New Year's treat called mochi - koloboks, flatbreads, and rolls made from rice flour.

In the morning, when the New Year comes into its own, the Japanese go out of their houses into the street to greet the sunrise. At first light they congratulate each other and give gifts.

In houses they place branches decorated with mochi balls - a New Year's motibana tree.

Japanese Santa Claus is called Segatsu-san - Mr. New Year. Favorite New Year's entertainment girls play shuttlecock, and boys fly a traditional kite on holidays.

The most popular New Year's accessory is a rake. Every Japanese believes that it is necessary to have them in order to have something to rake in happiness for the New Year. Bamboo rakes - kumade - are made from 10 cm to 1.5 m in size and are decorated with various designs and talismans.

In order to appease the Deity of the year, who brings happiness to the family, the Japanese build small gates in front of the house from three bamboo sticks, to which pine branches are tied. Wealthier people buy a dwarf pine tree, a bamboo shoot and a small plum or peach tree.

Labrador. Store your turnips

In Labrador, turnips are stored from the summer harvest. It is hollowed out from the inside, lighted candles are placed there and given to children. In the province of Nova Scotia, which was founded by Scottish Highlanders, merry songs imported from Britain two centuries ago are sung every Christmas morning.

Czech Republic and Slovakia. Santa Claus in a lamb hat

A cheerful little man, dressed in a shaggy fur coat, a tall lambskin hat, and with a box on his back, comes to Czech and Slovak children. His name is Mikulas. For those who studied well, he will always have gifts

Holland. Santa Claus arrives on a ship

Santa Claus arrives in Holland by ship. The children joyfully greet him at the pier. Santa Claus loves funny pranks and surprises and often gives children marzipan fruits, toys, and candy flowers.

Afghanistan. New Year - the beginning of agricultural work

Nowruz, the Afghan New Year, falls on March 21. This is the time when agricultural work begins. The village elder makes the first furrow in the field. Opens on the same day fun fairs where magicians, tightrope walkers, and musicians perform.

China. You need to douse yourself with water while they congratulate you

In China, the New Year's tradition of bathing Buddha has been preserved. On this day, all Buddha statues in temples and monasteries are respectfully washed in clean water from mountain springs. And people themselves douse themselves with water at the moment when others pronounce New Year's wishes for happiness at them. Therefore, on this holiday, everyone walks the streets in thoroughly wet clothes.

Judging by the ancient Chinese calendar, the Chinese are entering the 48th century. According to him, this country is entering the year 4702. China switched to the Gregorian calendar only in 1912. The date of Chinese New Year varies from January 21 to February 20 each time.

Iran. Everybody's shooting guns

In Iran, the New Year is celebrated at midnight on March 22. At this moment gun shots thundered. All adults hold in their hands silver coins as a sign of continuous stay in their native places throughout the coming year. On the first day of the New Year, according to custom, it is customary to break old pottery in the house and replace it with new ones.

Bulgaria. Three minutes of New Year's kisses

In Bulgaria, guests and relatives gather around the festive table for the New Year and the lights go out in all houses for three minutes. The time when guests remain in the dark is called the minutes of New Year's kisses, the secret of which will be kept by the darkness.

Greece. Guests carry stones - large and small

In Greece, guests take with them a large stone, which they throw at the threshold, saying the words: “Let the host’s wealth be as heavy as this stone.” And if big stone if they don’t get it, they throw a small pebble with the words: “Let the thorn in the owner’s eye be as small as this stone.”

New Year is the day of St. Basil, who was known for his kindness. Greek children leave their shoes by the fireplace in the hope that St. Basil will fill the shoes with gifts.

IN Ancient Egypt For example, the New Year was celebrated at the beginning of summer, during the Nile flood.

IN Ancient Greece the beginning of the year fell on the longest day of the year - June 22. And the Greeks calculated chronology from famous Olympic Games, which were held in honor of the legendary Hercules.

In France, during the Great French Revolution, the New Year was celebrated on September 22 - the day the Republic was founded.

And these days, many countries celebrate the New Year not according to the Gregorian calendar.
With respect to our calendar, these dates are flexible, and in this article they can only be named approximately, but on the Holiday Calendar website (www.calend.ru) you can see everything exactly - both dates and countries.

The date of Chinese New Year, for example, varies each time from January 21 to February 20. China switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1912. However, people still celebrate holidays based on the lunar calendar.
In China, on New Year's Eve, countless small lanterns are lit on the streets and squares. To keep evil spirits out of the New Year, the Chinese cover the windows and doors of their houses with paper and scare them away with firecrackers and firecrackers. On festive table They always serve jiaozi - a dish like our dumplings - and fish (yu), which means prosperity in the house. In Yunan province, despite decades of communist propaganda, the New Year's tradition of bathing Buddha has been preserved. On this day, all Buddha statues in temples and monasteries are respectfully washed in clean water from mountain springs. And people themselves douse themselves with water at the moment when others pronounce New Year's wishes for happiness at them. Therefore, on this holiday, everyone walks the streets in thoroughly wet clothes. According to their ancient calendar, the Chinese entered the forty-eighth century in 2003.

In Burma, New Year falls between April 12 and April 17. ABOUT exact day The celebration is announced by the Ministry of Culture by a special decree, and the celebrations last three days. According to ancient Burmese beliefs, the rain gods live in the stars. Sometimes they gather at the edge of the sky to play with each other. And then a blessed rain falls on the earth, which promises fertility and a rich harvest. To lure out the star spirits, the Burmese came up with tug-of-war competitions. Men from two villages take part in them - one against the other (in the city - street against street). And at this time women and children should scream and make noise as loudly as possible: beat empty jars and vessels, urging on the lazy rain spirits.

In Vietnam, New Year is called Tet. He is met between January 21 and February 19. The Vietnamese believe that a god lives in every home, and on New Year's Day this god goes to heaven to tell how each family member spent the past year. The Vietnamese once believed that God swam on the back of a carp fish. Nowadays, on New Year's Day, the Vietnamese sometimes buy live carp and then release it into a river or pond. They also believe that the first person to enter their home in the new year will bring good or bad luck for the coming year.

The Jewish New Year is called Rosh Hashanah. According to custom, on the eve of the holiday they eat special food: apples with honey, pomegranate, fish, as a symbolic expression of hopes for the coming year. Each meal is accompanied by a short prayer. Generally, it is customary to eat sweet foods and abstain from bitter foods. This - holy time when people think about their sins and promise to atone for them next year good deeds. Children are given new clothes. People bake bread and eat fruit.

There are several calendars in use in India. Therefore, in different parts of the country, New Year is celebrated at different times of the year. In different parts of India, New Year is celebrated at different times of the year. At the beginning of summer there is Lori holiday. Children collect dry branches, straw, and old things from the house in advance. In the evening, large bonfires are lit, around which people dance and sing.
In western India, New Year is celebrated at the end of October. Diwali is the festival of lights. Thousands of lamps are placed on the roofs of houses and on window sills and lit on the festive night. The girls float small boats across the water, with lights on them too.
Residents of northern India decorate themselves with flowers in shades of pink, red, purple, or white. IN south india mothers place sweets, flowers, small gifts on a special tray. On New Year's morning, children must wait with their eyes closed until they are led to the tray.
In central India, orange flags are hung on buildings. On New Year's Day, Hindus think of the goddess of wealth Lakshmi.
IN Goa state, which is mainly visited by tourists, is strong Catholic traditions(it used to be a Portuguese colony) and New Year comes on January 1st.

In Iran (a Muslim country formerly called Persia), the New Year is celebrated on March 21, the day of the spring equinox. A few weeks before the holiday, people plant grains of wheat or barley in a small dish. By the New Year, the grains sprout, which symbolizes the beginning of spring and a new year of life.
Afghan New Year also falls on March 21st. This is the time when agricultural work begins. The village elder makes the first furrow in the field. On the same day, fun fairs open, where magicians, tightrope walkers, and musicians perform. Navruz is a big holiday for many peoples.

We celebrate the New Year on January 1, but this was not always the case. Previously, in Russia they celebrated the New Year on March 1, then - at the beginning of autumn - on September 1. On New Year's Eve, dressed-up children and adults went from house to house. Dressed in masks and animal skins, they sang, danced, and sprinkled grain on the floor, wishing the owners a rich harvest. In 1700, Peter the Great moved the New Year celebration to January 1, as was customary in all European countries.

Celebrating the New Year in different countries is associated with traditions that have been preserved since ancient times. Even among the ancient peoples, a belief arose - how you celebrate the New Year is how you will spend it. To this day, in different countries they resort to various tricks to “lure” luck, prosperity and prosperity.

So, in England according to an ancient custom, when the clock begins to strike 12, the back doors of the house are opened to let out old year, and with the last blow they open the front doors, letting in New Year.

IN Austria It is believed that on New Year's Eve, in order to be happy, you need to eat a piece of pig head or pork snout.

IN Hungary In the first second of the New Year, they prefer to whistle through children's pipes, horns, and whistles. It is believed that they are the ones who drive away evil spirits from the home and call for joy and prosperity. When preparing for the holiday, Hungarians do not forget about the magical power of New Year's dishes: beans and peas preserve strength of spirit and body, apples - beauty and love, nuts can protect from harm, garlic - from diseases, and honey - sweeten life, ITAR-TASS reports.

IN Germany the people themselves of different ages, as soon as the clock begins to strike midnight, they climb onto chairs, tables, armchairs and, with the last blow, unanimously, with joyful greetings, “jump” into the New Year. And in the villages the medieval tradition of the bleiglessen ceremony has been preserved: there is a lead bullet that “contains the secrets of the future.” The bullet melts to a boil and is poured into a glass drop by drop. The lead solidifies again. The resulting figure will tell you what awaits you in the coming year.

IN Romania unmarried women They usually go to the well, light a candle and look down. The image of the flame will paint the face of her future husband in the dark depths of the water. Those who do not risk wandering the streets at night take a branch of the basilica and place it under the pillow: the dream will show the betrothed.

IN Greece New Year- This is the day of St. Basil, who became famous for his extraordinary kindness. Children leave their shoes near the fireplace, hoping that the saint will fill them with gifts.

IN Italy It is customary to throw out apartments at the very last minute of the old year broken dishes, old clothes and even furniture. Behind them fly firecrackers, confetti, sparklers. It is believed that if you throw away on New Year's Eve old thing, then in the coming year you will buy a new one. And all the children are waiting for the sorceress Befana, who flies at night on a broom and enters the house through the chimney. She fills children's shoes, specially hung by the fireplace, with gifts.

IN Spain There is a tradition of eating grapes on New Year's Eve. When the clock strikes, you need to have time to eat 12 grapes, one for each of the twelve coming months.

IN Scotland The New Year is celebrated with a kind of torchlight procession: barrels of tar are set on fire and rolled through the streets. Thus, the Scots “burn” the old year and light the way for the new one. The well-being of the owners depends on who is the first to enter the house on the morning of the New Year. It is believed that a dark-haired man who comes with a gift will bring happiness.

IN Scandinavia In the first seconds of the New Year, it is customary to grunt under the table to ward off evil spirits, illnesses and failures from the family.

IN Ancient China On New Year's Day, the only holiday of the year for beggars was declared, when anyone could enter the house and take what they needed, and if you refused, the neighbors would turn away with contempt. In modern China, New Year is a festival of lanterns. It is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year. On New Year's Eve, countless small lanterns are lit on the streets and squares, believing that the sparks from them will drive away evil spirits. The New Year itself comes in January-February, so it is associated with the end of winter and the beginning of spring. For many centuries, the inhabitants of China, seeing off the cold and bad weather with the light of lanterns, greet the awakening of nature. Lanterns are given different shapes, decorated with bright designs and intricate ornaments. The Chinese especially like to place lanterns on the streets in the form of 12 animals, symbolizing each year of the 12-year cycle of the lunar calendar.

In Vietnam New Year according to the lunisolar calendar is called Tet. This family celebration, during which all quarrels are forgotten, grievances are forgiven. The Vietnamese decorate their homes with miniature tangerine trees with tiny fruits. Every Vietnamese home has an ancestral altar, and paying tribute to their memory is an important part of the New Year's celebrations. New Year and January 1 are celebrated in Vietnam, it is called the “holiday of the young”.

IN Mongolia With the arrival of the first day of the New Year, a truly national celebration begins in the country. The official New Year in the country is January 1, and the New Year according to the lunisolar calendar is called “Tsagaan Sar”. According to tradition, the family says goodbye to the old year; the farewell is called “bituun”. At this moment you cannot quarrel, argue, swear and deceive, this is considered a great sin.

New Year's Eve Japan- one of the most popular holidays in the country. Japanese children celebrate the New Year wearing new clothes, believing it will bring good luck and health. On New Year's Eve, children put a drawing of their dream under their pillow, then their wish should come true. Pine dominates flower arrangements, symbolizing longevity and endurance. And in the morning, when the New Year has already come into its own, the Japanese go out to greet the sunrise; at the first rays they congratulate each other and give gifts. Armfuls of straw are hung on the facades of houses to protect the house from evil spirits. And the most important thing for the Japanese is to laugh in the first second of the New Year - then happiness will accompany them all year.

The main New Year's accessory is a rake (kumade), with which the Japanese will be able to rake in happiness in the New Year. They are made in sizes from 10 cm to 1.5 m and are decorated with rich paintings. To appease the Deity of the year, who brings good luck to the family, the Japanese build a kadomatsu in front of the house - a small gate made of three bamboo sticks to which pine branches are tied. Also in Japan, at exactly midnight, a bell begins to ring and strikes 108 times. According to a long-standing belief, each ringing “kills” one of the human vices. According to the Japanese, there are only 6 of them - greed, anger, stupidity, frivolity, indecision, envy, but each has 18 shades.

IN India as many as eight dates are celebrated as New Year, as many cultures intersect in the country. On one of these days - Gudi Padwa - you need to eat the leaves of the neem tree, which taste very bitter and unpleasant. But on old belief, they protect a person from illnesses and troubles and provide, oddly enough, a sweet life.

IN Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria and Tanzania celebrate Muharram - the first month of the Muslim year lunar calendar. A few weeks before this date, Muslims place wheat or barley grains on a dish of water to germinate. By the beginning of the new year, sprouts appear that symbolize the beginning of a new life.

Jewish New Year- Rosh Hashanah is not so much a memory of any historical event, from which the counting of years begins, how many days of the Supreme Court. It is believed that on this day the Almighty judges people and, based on their actions, decides what fate awaits them next year. Therefore, the main thing at such a time is the repentance of every person. This day is filled with prayers and restrained joy. On the table there are festive candles, a round challah with apples that are dipped in honey to make the year sweet.

On Cuba on New Year's Eve, they fill all the dishes in the house with water, and at midnight they begin to pour liquid out of the windows. Thus, all residents of Liberty Island wish the New Year a bright and clear path, like water. And while the clock strikes 12 times, you need to swallow 12 grapes, and then goodness, harmony, prosperity and peace will accompany you all twelve months, reports "New Region".

New Year's Eve in Venezuela is a special event. All relatives get together and prepare la hallaca - one of the types of very rich food with a lot of seasonings, which is eaten by all household members during New Year's Eve. Everyone wishes each other happiness in the new year and forgets all past grievances.

IN Brazil The New Year's celebration is called Iemanja. The beaches fill with people and religious chants praise Iemanja. Even those who live far from the water try to come to the coast to make offerings to the sea: most often these are flowers on small ships made of wood. Participants in the ceremony dress in suits of a certain color - depending on the saint who will “rule” during the new year.

IN Nepal New Year is celebrated at sunrise. At night, when the moon is full, Nepalese people light huge fires and throw unnecessary things into the fire. The next day, the Festival of Colors begins, and then the whole country turns into a huge rainbow. People paint their faces, arms, and chests with unusual patterns, and then dance and sing songs in the streets.

IN Panama at midnight, when the New Year is just beginning, all the bells ring, sirens howl, cars honk. The Panamanians themselves - both children and adults - at this time shout loudly and knock on everything they can get their hands on. All this noise is necessary in order to “appease” the coming year.

IN Russia V Lately A tradition arose on New Year's Eve to appease the totem of the coming year. On the eve of the Year of the Rat, supporters of this tradition are advised to buy some kind of rodent, for example, a hamster, or put a “treat” for mice in the corner of the room, at least purely symbolically, put on Mickey Mouse masks, watch a cartoon with his participation or a cartoon about Leopold the Cat and his two evil friends are mice. Let us remind you that the real year of the Yellow Rat will begin only in February.