Meeting the New Year in Russia is associated with a whole host of traditions, both ancient and modern. The invariable attributes of the New Year holiday in our country are the Christmas tree, the Olivier salad, the Irony of Fate on TV, making wishes to the sound of the Kremlin chimes ...

But their New Year traditions exist in other countries of the world. Moreover, some of them may seem to Russians no less strange than our attachment to Olivier and the adventures of a drunken doctor who got lost between the two capitals to foreigners.

7. Finland. Kissel instead of Olivier

Finnish New Year traditions have not gone too far from Russian ones. In the end, the Finnish Joulupukki is perhaps the closest relative of our Santa Claus among foreign New Year's wizards. But what can really surprise you on New Year's Eve in Finland is the dishes of the traditional New Year's table.

Of course, it would be strange if the Finns served Olivier. However, it is unlikely that any of the Russians will be happy if they serve rice porridge for the New Year. And the Finns rejoice, because rice porridge is the traditional New Year's dish of the inhabitants of this country. Plum jelly is served with porridge, which also does not fit in the Russian mind, not only with the New Year, but in general with any holiday.

But nothing can be done, other people's traditions should be respected.

By the way, until recently, the visit of Joulupukki for Finnish children looked quite menacing. The wizard appeared in the house with rods and asked the question: “Are there any obedient children in this house?”

But now Joulupukki had to completely abandon the rods - a strict grandfather could rattle in jail for using force against minors.

6. Cuba. water splash

In Cuba, before New Year's midnight, as in Russia, glasses are filled, but not with champagne, but ... with water.

No, it's not at all about the total sobriety of the inhabitants of the Island of Freedom. According to Cuban tradition, as the clock strikes at midnight, water from the glasses should be thrown out into the open windows. This means that the old year has ended happily and the Cubans wish each other that the new year will be as clear and pure as water.

Water, by the way, is splashed out not only from glasses - especially generous ones pour it from buckets and basins, so the probability of being doused "for good luck" on New Year's Eve in Cuba is very high.

5. Bulgaria. Blind kisses

In Bulgaria, many New Year traditions are similar to Russian ones, but one of them may surprise an unprepared person, to put it mildly. Exactly at midnight on New Year's Eve, the lights go out in Bulgarian houses, and all those present ... begin to kiss. And it does not matter at all who is with whom - relatives and strangers, men with women, as well as men with men ... True, this does not last very long. After kissing “for good luck”, the hostess of the house cuts the holiday cake, and here one must also be careful - it is customary for Bulgarians to put “surprises” in it. If a branch of a rose comes across, then this is for love, if a coin, this is for wealth. And if you break a tooth - this is a visit to the dentist!

4. Scotland. Coal gift

In Scotland, on New Year's Eve, it is customary to visit each other and give gifts. There are arbitrary gifts, but there are strictly regulated ones. Visiting a Scot on New Year's Eve should come with a piece of cake, a glass of wine and ... a piece of coal. The point is not the stinginess of the Scots, although there are jokes about the frugality of this nation. Coming with such gifts, you wish the owners prosperity - a lot of food, drink and warmth.

The tradition of giving coal on New Year's Eve, obviously, will soon be mastered by Ukrainians. Only one piece is unlikely to cost here - “gift coal buckets” are expected!

3. Spain. Eat grapes, amigo!

In Spain, the New Year is considered a public holiday, and it is customary to celebrate it on the streets of cities. Before New Year's midnight, it is customary to gather at the Christmas tree in the central square of the city. You should have grapes with you. Under the beat of the clock, you need to try to have time to eat 12 grapes. Each grape represents one month of the coming year, and if you eat all 12 in the allotted time, this guarantees the fulfillment of the most cherished desire.

By the way, if you are timid and your personal life is not going well, you can also turn one Spanish tradition to your advantage. On New Year's Eve in Spain, guys and girls write their names on scraps of paper, which they then pull out like lottery tickets. This is how the pairs of "grooms" and "brides" are determined. Such "love at first sight" lasts, according to tradition, until the end of Christmas time. It is interesting that the Catholic Church turns a blind eye to such fun for young people - “bride and groom lotteries” sometimes take place right at local churches.

2. Greece. Get down, pomegranate!

The Greek New Year tradition is also capable of capturing the imagination of those who are not ready for it. If at midnight the owner of the house goes out into the yard and starts throwing agricultural products at the wall, this does not mean that he "went through" and it's time to call the police.

According to Greek tradition, at midnight on New Year's Eve, the owner of the house should smash a pomegranate fruit against the wall. If the grains scatter all over the yard, a happy life awaits the family in the coming year.

Yes, and going to the New Year to visit the Greek, do not forget to grab a mossy stone. It should be left to the owners with the words: "Let your money be heavy, like this stone."

1. Italy. Down with the old!

When celebrating the New Year in Italy, on New Year's Eve you should stay away from houses, because it is not known what will fly out of the windows in the next second. Italians are temperamental people, but the point here is not at all a drunken rampage. According to Italian tradition, before the clock strikes midnight, old and unnecessary things should be thrown out of the house so that they remain in the outgoing year with all the hardships and troubles.

One of the most popular New Year's gifts in Italy is red lingerie. It is given to both men and women. Red color in Italians means newness. So the red shorts that Dulin tried to give Mikhalych are just a traditional Italian gift!

Based on materials: http://www.aif.ru/ny/tellings/1414193

New Year's Eve is a time of transition from year to year, a bridge connecting the past and the future. In the perception of many peoples, this time is shrouded in mystery, fanned by a web of superstitions, rituals and strange rituals. On New Year's Eve, it is customary to guess about fate, calling for good luck, happiness, love and other blessings, and to part with the negative of the past year. We have collected the most interesting New Year's fortune-telling from around the world - you may also want to add a little mysticism to your New Year.

Greece

The ancient Greeks started a tradition: entering the house, break the pomegranate on the threshold.

It has survived to this day: a few minutes before midnight, the family leaves the house and watches how the owner or other respected relative breaks the pomegranate on the threshold, checking how successful the year will be. If the pomegranate turned out to be ripe and shattered on the first try, and grains fell abundantly from it, like coins from a wallet - this is a good sign, then the year will be prosperous and profitable. If it is not possible to break the grenade immediately and there were few grains, expect difficulties, including financial ones. After fortune-telling, you need to return to the house, crossing the threshold with your right foot. In some regions, this is done on the morning of January 1 or after a church service. The Greek expression "To break a pomegranate" (Έσπασε το ρόδι) means a good start. The Greeks make fun of the losers, promising to invite them to break the grenade on New Year's Eve.

A funny divination was in use among Greek girls: at midnight on a festive night, you had to knock on the chicken coop and listen to who would answer first. If the chicken - stay in the girls, if the rooster - wait for the groom.

Italy

At the New Year's feast of Italians, lentils are always present - a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Each seed is money: the more you eat, the richer you will be in the New Year. The main difficulty of such fortune-telling is that you need to eat lentils after a plentiful feast, cake and champagne. On New Year's Eve, young Italian women tell fortunes about marriage: they throw a shoe towards the door and watch where the sock turns. If you are going out, it means that you will get married soon. (By the way, until recently, Russian girls guessed in a similar way: however, they threw boots on the street - where the sock points, the groom will come from there.) Another Italian sign: a man and preferably a brunette should enter the house first on New Year's Eve, then the year happy. If a woman - expect trouble. If a policeman, there will be problems with the law, but the appearance of a priest means a quick death.

Spain

The Spaniards eat a dozen grapes to the chiming clock: one berry for each beat. If you have time, wishes will come true and abundance will come to the house. According to legend, this New Year's tradition was started by the winegrowers of the city of Elche in 1909, when too many grapes were born. According to 2005 data, during the chiming clock, the Spaniards ate 550 million grapes.

Over time, the tradition of 12 grapes spread to other countries: residents of Italy, France, Bulgaria and distant Brazil eat grapes under the chimes.

Germany

The Germans and Austrians on New Year's Eve use tin, lead or wax to tell fortunes: molten metal or wax from a candle is poured into cold water and, based on the outlines of the figure, they try to guess what awaits a person in the new year. The sun and a pointed hat are considered good signs, they promise health and wealth. But to see an old woman or the number 13 in molten tin is not good. There is a similar tradition in Finland, and more recently it was in Russia.

Romania

In Romania, on New Year's Eve, people traditionally wondered about the weather. The onion was cut into 12 pieces, sprinkled with salt and left until the morning. Waking up, they ran to see which lobules had drops - wet lobules promised rainy months.

Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, on the Generous Day (December 24) on the eve of Christmas, it is customary to guess by an apple cut across. If the drawing of an apple looks like a star, then everyone will be healthy until next Christmas. If on the cross, then grief will come to the house: either illness or death. Another fortune-telling is connected with walnuts: each participant of the holiday lowers a shell boat with a small candle on board into the water and watches. The one whose boat is frozen at the edge will be a homebody all year. If the boat sailed into the middle of the "lake", the "captain" is waiting for adventure and travel. But the happiest will be the one whose candle on the boat goes out last.

United Kingdom

In the UK, it is customary to bake a fortune pie at Christmas. Symbol objects are hidden in it: whoever finds a coin will be rich, whoever finds a bean will find happiness, a rose petal - wait for love, a ring - a wedding is coming, and a button is a bad sign, promises poverty. A similar tradition in one form or another is found in other countries.

Tibet

Tibetans celebrate the New Year - Losar according to the Tibetan traditional calendar, usually in late February or early March. Fortune-telling takes place with the help of dumplings with a special symbolic filling of eight or nine types: a piece of wood, paper, a pebble, coal, a particle of salt or manure is baked inside. At noon on the first day of the new year, the family tries their luck: the one who finds the dung is happy, the one who finds the paper is successful in studies, and the one who gets the tree goes bankrupt.

Central Asia and the Middle East

Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Turkmens, Tajiks, Azerbaijanis, Uzbeks, Turks, Iranians and Afghans celebrate the New Year - Novruz according to the solar calendar on the day of the spring equinox, March 21. On the eve of the holiday, girls wonder about their fate, and on the festive evening itself, all people are especially attentive to the conversations of their neighbors: overheard phrases can become the key to understanding the future. If the neighbors outside the door or window have pleasant conversations, the year will be successful, and if they quarrel and talk about bad things, everything will go topsy-turvy.

When celebrating Novruz, peasants also wonder about the weather. According to popular beliefs, the first day of Novruz corresponds to spring, the second to summer, the third to autumn, and the fourth to winter. If the first day is calm and clear, then the year will be fruitful.

India

Residents of the southern states of India celebrate the Vishu holiday, which falls on the first day of the New Year in the Malayalam calendar. On this day, Hindus tell fortunes on the Ramayana, the sacred ancient Indian epic. A randomly opened page should predict what will happen in the New Year.

Vietnam

The Vietnamese celebrate the new year according to the lunisolar calendar, it is called Tet (or in full - Tet Nguyen Dan, "first morning holiday"). Tet usually falls at the end of January - beginning of February and lasts up to a week. On the eve of the holiday, the Vietnamese line up for fortune-tellers - it is important for them to find out what their life will be like next year. Some especially anxious citizens ask the predictors who to call first on a visit in the New Year, since, according to beliefs, the future depends on this: this person must be sincere and pure in soul.

Japan

By tradition, the Japanese do not sleep on New Year's Eve and even avoid the words "sleep", "sleep", speaking allegorically. Instead, they go to Shinto and Buddhist temples where they can receive omikuji divination. It's sort of a lottery: the rolled-up papers are filled with prophecies ranging from "great blessings" to "future misfortunes." The worst option - "Great misfortune" - is not offered to parishioners so as not to scare them. However, if the prophecy is not liked, it can be left on a special tree or temple - then it will not come true. If the prediction is good, you can take it with you and wear it all year as a talisman.

The first dream of the year (traditionally on the night of January 2) - Hatsuyume - is considered prophetic. The list of "happy" visions includes: Mount Fuji, a falcon, a fan, tobacco, and a blind musician.

Not everyone knows how the New Year is celebrated in Greece - one of the most beloved and significant holidays of all peoples of the world. Most tourists visit Greece in spring or summer, so the culture and life of the Greek people are well known to travel lovers. But it is quite possible to assume that, as in Russia, in Greece the New Year is celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1.

For local residents, it is a family holiday with special traditions that are passed down from generation to generation. The Greeks begin to prepare for it in advance.

The streets of towns and villages are decorated with bright illumination, and luminescent figures of ships can be seen in the squares. They symbolize not only the love of the Greeks for the sea, but also the hope for happiness in the coming year. People believe that these sails will bring joy and good luck to their homes. The Greeks pay great attention to the New Year's decoration of the interiors of their homes. They decorate not only apartments, but also balconies with garlands and artificial Christmas trees. Everyone tries to make their balcony the most beautiful, so it is very difficult to come across the same design……

Before the New Year, children walk through the streets and houses. To the sounds they sing “kalanda” songs, which sound the wishes of happiness and prosperity in the coming year. In response to congratulations, children are given sweets and coins. Traditionally, before the holiday, the Greeks give each other large baskets filled with fruits and bottles of wine.

Finally, the long-awaited New Year's Eve comes, which the Greeks meet with their families or guests. The holiday begins with the fact that guests put a stone in front of the threshold of the house, the size of which depends on the wishes. If the stone is large, then the owner of the house is wished for significant wealth and prosperity.

Another Greek ritual is very symbolic and filled with deep meaning. On New Year's Eve, the head of the family goes out into the yard and smashes a pomegranate fruit against the wall of the house or the front door. The farther apart his grains scattered, the richer and happier the coming year will be for the family. One can only imagine how much effort the owner makes to carry out this ritual in order to attract as much happiness as possible into the house.

During the festive meal, the guests exchange gifts and say the warmest words to each other. The New Year's table is traditionally plentiful. From the dishes on it you will always see a roasted pig with a baked potato and a sweet pie "Vasilopita" with a coin inside. According to the sign, the one who finds it will be the happiest all year. The pie is made in honor of St. Basil, whose birthday is celebrated on the first of January as widely as the New Year. This saint is deeply revered by the Greeks, he is the patron saint of all the poor. On New Year's Eve, children leave their shoes by the fireplace in the hope of seeing gifts from St. Basil in them in the morning.

At the festive table, you will definitely be treated to sweets and traditional gingerbread cookies soaked in honey. New Year's Eve is a time for mysticism. Observing ancient signs, the Greeks will never grind coffee or shout at this time. The celebration of the New Year is not limited to just a family celebration. Numerous cafes and restaurants offer entertainment programs that will be of interest to tourists as well. Greece is a country of deep and varied traditions. New Year's Eve is another opportunity to see this.

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New Year in Greek or what happens on a fabulous night in Crete

”Καλη Χρονια" - have a good New Year! That's what the Greeks say when the chimes strike and champagne merrily pours from glasses to glasses! Then everyone begins to congratulate each other personally, while pleasantly kissing each on the cheek and gently pronouncing best wishes.

It is customary to spend this holiday with parents at a late dinner, and after midnight you can go to a nightclub, bar or disco. This is usually done by young couples, teenagers or single people. Sometimes the Greeks pre-order a restaurant and go all night with their families to celebrate the New Year, dance and have a good time.

In general, the Greeks are still some kind of "lighters". What I like about them is that they are very fond of their traditional dances and songs. And everyone, from small to great, tremulously dance "Sertaki" and "Sigana". And how they dance "Dance of the drunk man"!! I will definitely write about it.

But how to feel that wonderful feeling of the change of the Year without snow?

This is what New Year's Eve looked like in Crete. The moon shone brightly, as if declaring that she was doing her job perfectly on a fabulous night. We put a Santa Claus hat on her to brighten up her loneliness.

What else happens on this fabulous night in Greece?

• Breaking a pomegranate against a wall is considered a good sign, but only if the fruit breaks into small pieces.

• Dig up this plant with a root, wrap it up and put it on the threshold. This will bring prosperity to your family in the coming year.

• Sit on a festive night in a cafe, play cards or dice for money. Even those who have never been a player will definitely try their luck that night.

• Bake Vasilopita and cut it up after midnight.

We cooked it with the whole family. The elders whipped, and the younger ones decorated. "Vasilopita" is translated as a New Year's cake prepared in honor of St. Basil, and since there is little Vasily in our family, he decorated the cake. They always put a coin in Vasilopita and bake it, and whoever gets the fluri coin from Vasilopita will have a good year.

• Let the children into the house so that they sing carols.

Early in the morning we were awakened by the doorbell, it was the neighbor's children who came to sing a New Year's song, ringing with an iron triangle. The song says that the new year is already on the threshold and will come soon, in response, the children received a handful of little things prepared in advance.

Looking at them, our children also quickly gathered, in anticipation of a fun income! This tradition has existed in Greece for a long time. Previously, children went from house to house and sang carols, for which people treated them to sweets and cookies. Nowadays children are given money. People generously share with children.

• Visit the village of Kamaraki.

The next day, after the celebration, many go to nature or to the mountains for snow. We also went to the mountains. We didn't get to the snow, but ended up in a nice little village called Kamaraki.

The village is small but very famous. The hero Kapetanakis was born in her. You see the monument that was made in his honor.

There is a small church next to the monument.

I managed to photograph a January bush with tomato fruits. If you don't know, vegetables are grown all year round in Crete.

There is only one tavern in the whole village and the food there is amazing. Naturally, we enjoyed the Greek cuisine, and were not alone there.

New Year in Greece is celebrated, as in most countries of the world - on the night of December 31 to January 1. On January 1, the country also celebrates St. Basil's Day. The Greeks honor and love the image of this man, who during his lifetime was the patron of the poor and the needy.

The center of winter holidays in Greece is the city of Athens (capital). Every year in mid-December, the main Christmas tree of the country is set up on Syntagma Square in front of the Parliament building. The ceremony of its ignition is accompanied by the official speech of the mayor of the city, a show program with the participation of pop stars and colorful fireworks. Amusements and carousels for children, fairs where you can buy New Year decorations, sweets and gifts are installed on the square. Around them there are platforms where performances of symphony orchestras and ethnic groups take place.

Traditions and rituals

The celebration of the New Year in Greece is associated with interesting traditions.

On December 31, the Greeks go to visit relatives and close friends. They take a stone with them, which they place at the door. Bringing a small pebble, the guest wishes that the troubles be small and insignificant. A large heavy stone symbolizes wealth and prosperity.

On New Year's Eve, the inhabitants of Greece exchange fotiks - wooden skewers with figs, apples, citrus fruits and sweets strung on them. On the tops of such sticks, the Greeks set a candle - a symbol of faith and hope.

A popular family tradition is breaking a pomegranate fruit against the wall of the house. The owner of the house tries to throw it with all his might so that the grains scatter all over the yard. The further they scatter, the more luck and prosperity awaits family members in the coming year. After this ceremony, all household members dip their fingers into a vessel with honey and lick them.

Divination is popular among young girls. They put a piece of a traditional New Year's cake under the pillow and wish to see their betrothed in a dream.

An ancient sign is the prediction of the next year by the first guest. It is considered a good sign when children enter the house first in the coming year. If a child crossed the threshold of the house on the right foot, then the New Year will come in the “right” direction.

Festive table

On the New Year's table of the Greeks there is a baked pig with potatoes or a turkey in wine stuffed with raisins and nuts, cheese slices, seafood dishes. The hostesses bake traditional christopsomo and vasilopita bread. They decorate it with dough figures, and put various fillings inside: berries, fruits, chicken meat, beans, herbs and spices. Greek women who honor traditions place a coin inside the vasilopita. The bread is cut at noon on January 1 in the presence of all family members. The first piece is left to St. Basil, and the rest are distributed according to seniority. The one who gets the coin will have wealth and success in the coming year.

Gifts

In Greece, gifts are brought to children by St. Basil - the prototype of the national Santa Claus. The Greeks believe that it enters houses through the fireplace. On New Year's Eve, next to the fireplace, children hang their shoes or socks, expecting to find gifts in them on the morning of January 1. Greeks do not give each other expensive gifts. They are limited to symbolic souvenirs.

Cities and resorts

Winter holidays in Greece will leave an unforgettable experience.

Fans of New Year's entertainment and fairs will enjoy their holidays in Athens. The mild climate, festive decorations and interesting traditions will allow you to spend time with pleasure and feel the atmosphere of this ancient city. Thanks to New Year's discounts in the capital, you can make successful purchases. Fans of excursions will be able to visit the Acropolis, Plaka and Agora Square.

Ski resorts in Greece are not inferior in beauty and infrastructure to the best European resorts. Professional skiers and beginners will enjoy the modern slopes and lifts. Popular ski tourism centers in the country: Pigadia, Parnassus, Vasilitsa, Kaimaktsalan, Kalavryta.