{"id":906,"date":"2016-12-31T18:51:30","date_gmt":"2016-12-31T18:51:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thephilologistugr.wordpress.com\/?p=906"},"modified":"2016-12-31T18:51:30","modified_gmt":"2016-12-31T18:51:30","slug":"new-years-eve-and-new-years-day-traditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ugr.es\/thephilologist\/new-years-eve-and-new-years-day-traditions\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year\u2019s Eve and New Year\u2019s Day Traditions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello everyone! Today is New Year\u2019s Eve<\/strong> and the year 2017<\/strong> is just about to begin! I am sure most of you will follow various Spanish traditions tonight, but…\u00a0Aren\u2019t you curious about how people celebrate these special days in Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland or Germany<\/strong>, for instance?<\/p>\n

We looked for information and asked some abroad students too, who told us about the most unique traditions and superstitions in their countries. So, if you are interested, continue reading \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

Scotland<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In Scotland<\/strong>, The New Year\u2019s Eve<\/strong> is known as \u2018Hogmanay<\/strong>\u2019. The name comes from a kind of oatcake<\/strong> that was typically given to children on New Year\u2019s Eve.<\/p>\n

On this day, many people would choose to spend the night with friends or family<\/strong>.\u00a0Also, in Edinburgh<\/strong>, a festival<\/strong> is celebrated typically from the 28th<\/sup> of December to the 2nd<\/sup> of January<\/strong>. On the night of the 31st<\/sup> of December<\/strong> a huge party<\/strong> takes place in the city, the Edinburgh Castle\u2019 cannon<\/strong> would be fired at the stroke of midnight, followed by a spectacular fireworks display<\/strong>.\u00a0They would typically sing the \u2018Auld Lang Syne<\/strong>\u2019 (The good old days) based on a poem by the Scottish writer Robert Burns<\/strong> in 1788.<\/p>\n

\"[1]
[1] \u2018Auld Lang Syne\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From midnight on, the tradition of ‘first footing<\/strong>\u2019 takes place. Scottish people have various superstitions<\/strong> as they believe the first person to cross their home threshold would determine the fate of the people living there for the new year<\/strong>. Typically, a dark haired man or a stranger would bring good luck. First footers would also bring gifts<\/strong> such as a coin or salt representing prosperity, bread, for food, coal for warmth or whisky to represent cheer, and in many places people would wish one another \u201dLang may your lum reek\u201d<\/strong> (hope your chimney will smoke for a long time).<\/p>\n

\"[2]
[2] \u2018First footing\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

England<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In England<\/strong>, the New Year’s Eve<\/strong> is not widely celebrated as Christmas but some traditions are still observed. Some people would celebrate the end of the year with their family and friends<\/strong> and others would go to parties, pubs or clubs<\/strong>, especially the young people.<\/p>\n

As a fairly recent tradition they would celebrate a big party in London<\/strong>. On TV<\/strong>, they would forecast one of the four clocks on the Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster<\/strong> to count down the last seconds of the year, and afterwards, they would kiss at 12 o\u2019clock<\/strong>, toast with champagne or sparkling wine<\/strong> and have fireworks<\/strong> or watch the fireworks taking place in London on TV. They would also do resolutions for the New Year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"[3]
[3] Fireworks in London<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More traditionally, at the stroke of midnight<\/strong>, people would open the back door to let the bad things and the old year out and<\/strong>, in some parts of England, the tradition of first footing also takes place<\/strong>. They would ask the first black haired man<\/strong> to cross the door and the visitors would leave the house using the back door for good luck<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

On New Year’s day<\/strong>, the celebrations in London would continue with a huge New Year\u2019s Day parade<\/strong> and most people would typically have a \u2018roast dinner\u2019 with their family<\/strong>: meat, vegetables, potatoes and maybe a special dessert and would watch special editions of popular TV programs<\/strong> and programs reviewing the last year.<\/p>\n

While some begin the year in such a quiet way, in many coastal towns<\/strong> (in England and other parts of the United Kingdom, as well as in Ireland) people have the tradition to go to the sea at the morning<\/strong> for a New Year’s Day swim<\/strong>! Some may even wear fancy costumes<\/strong>!!<\/p>\n

\"[4]
[4] New Year’s Day swim<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"[5]
[5] New Year’s Day swim<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

Wales<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In Wales<\/strong>, the New Year’s Eve<\/strong> is called \u2018Nos Galan<\/strong>\u2019.<\/p>\n

Many celebrations<\/strong> take place at Cardiff castle<\/strong> and Cardiff City Hall<\/strong>, they have fireworks, live music and organise fun-fairs and many other activities.<\/p>\n

The tradition of first footing<\/strong> is also typical. It is considered that if the first footer is a woman and a man opens the door is considered bad luck, and if the first footer to cross the threshold in the New Year is a red head, it also represents bad luck<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Another interesting belief is that you should pay all your debts before the New Year begins<\/strong>, and if you don\u2019t do this, it would mean a whole new year of debt!<\/p>\n

\"[6]
[6] To-do-list<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On New year’s day<\/strong>, called \u2018Dydd Calan<\/strong>\u2019, children would get up early to visit their neighbors and sing songs.<\/strong> They would typically be given coins, mince pies, and sweets for singing. This tradition of giving gifts and money is called \u2018Calennig<\/strong>‘. Here you can\u00a0listen to a typical Calennig rhyme!<\/p>\n