New Year is a holiday that is expected with great impatience and hopes for happiness by millions of people. For some, this is an occasion to get together as a family, for someone - to see old friends, for some more customs and traditions are important. The holiday is loved all over the world. What can we say about the people of Spain - emotional, hot, sensual, funny. The traditions of the New Year in Spain can simply hit a person ignorant, unfamiliar with the culture of the country. Carnivals, processions, festivals, all kinds of events - this is a kind of lifestyle for the population of this country, they can not live without fun. The New Year in Spain is no exception. Traditions, customs, we now consider.
About the holiday in general
The winter season of carefree fun begins here on December 25th. On this day, the Spaniards celebrate Christmas. Holidays last 12 days, until the Day of the Magi (January 6). Each of these dates has its own traditions. Adults and children are waiting for the New Year in Spain, because this is an occasion to have fun from the heart, and not at home at the TV, as is customary with us, but on the streets of the city. On this day you will not get to any theater or cinema, everything is closed here. It is believed that everyone should be on the streets whenever possible.
Christmas tree or flower?
Sometimes the traditions of the New Year in Spain seem even a little ridiculous. Here, for example, we associate this holiday with a Christmas tree - beautiful, large, dressed up. However, many Spaniards do not perceive this evergreen miracle as a symbol of the New Year. For these purposes, they have a flower - poinsetia (Flor de Navidad). Its flowering time usually falls on Christmas, and the bracts are star-shaped. Many residents call it the Star of Bethlehem. Yes, do not be surprised, because we just started discussing the traditions of the New Year in Spain. You will learn more.
Of course, such a love of poinsettia does not mean that there are no Christmas trees here. They are in homes, and on the streets, and in central squares. Even if family or friends gathered at the table that day, then after a meal they simply must go outside and celebrate the New Year. In Spain, such traditions appeared largely due to the warm climate, otherwise they would hardly have been supported for many years. Well, who wants to freeze?
Where without Santa Claus?
In Spain, his name is Olentzero. He is always dressed in a national costume, which is sewn and decorated necessarily by hand. It is almost impossible to see it without a flask of excellent local-made whiskey in hand. The traditions of the New Year in Spain for children, of course, are associated with a bearded grandfather. He also brings gifts. It just leaves them not in socks, which are suspended from the fireplace, and not under a beautiful Christmas tree, but on the most ordinary windowsill. On a festive morning, children find sweets, souvenirs and other pleasant trifles there.
Festive table
Regarding this part of the holiday, there are special New Year traditions in Spain. The photos posted in our article will help you better feel the whole atmosphere, at least mentally visit Spain on special days. As we have already said, before entering the streets of the city, people sit at the richly laid festive table. For such a holiday, they prepare both traditional dishes and their favorite dishes. This is a melon appetizer with jamon, and tartlets with all kinds of filling. Tables are usually choked with fish and seafood. Naturally, it is impossible to imagine a complete holiday without a lot of sweets - cookies with caraway seeds, pies, almond cakes. Also on the table there simply must be a bottle of very high-quality wine, because it is not in vain that Spain is famous for winemaking throughout the world. As you can see, in relation to the magnificent feast and richly laid tables are very similar to our New Year traditions in Spain. Briefly tell about all the delights of the holiday in this country is almost impossible. But still we will try to describe the main, most significant points.
New Year traditions in Spain
English is spoken little here, although on this day you can hear such greetings, songs. There is another tradition in these parts of the world that is alien to us. As you already know, after a home feast, people gather to continue the fun on the streets of the city. While some are dancing and singing, others meet at the church and for several hours recall all the significant events of the past year. Then a fun contest is held among young people. They write on paper the names of all those present, dump them in a bag and pull them in turn. In this way “couples in love” are formed for the whole New Year's Eve. Although this is a joke, but still they must behave all night as if they had long been in love.
What happens at midnight?
As soon as the clock marks the beginning of the New Year, all those gathered in the town square begin to hug, kiss each other, congratulate, even some give pleasant little things to completely strangers. It looks very cute and at the same time solemn, when completely strangers behave as if they were relatives or best friends. After this, real festivities with clappers, sparklers, round dances, songs, fireworks begin.
12 grapes
This tradition has its roots in the distant times of the Spanish kings. If over the past year the grape harvest in the country was very good, the kings ordered their subjects to distribute it on all streets to all citizens in any quantity. Today, between the strokes of the clock there is 3 seconds, for which you have to have time to eat grapes, a total of 12 berries. Only the bones must be spit out until the end of the clock. Grapes for the Spaniards are a symbol of wealth, prosperity, prosperity. He should be present at the festive table, in the baskets of those people who go to the square to have fun. That is, during the battle of the clock, you cannot remain without a vine in your hands - a bad omen. Even if you celebrate a celebration in a restaurant, you will be served at the right time 12 berries without a twig in polyethylene.
Red linen will have to buy
This tradition was born relatively recently in Spain. In order for the coming year to be successful in all aspects, on a festive night it is necessary to wear red underwear (underpants, garters, socks, etc.).
