Lundensaren_dec18_newyears

Quirky things about New Year’s around the world

Russia - Burn a wish and put the ashes in a glass of champagne and drink up

Name: Anna Zemskova
Used to study: Master's in European Business Law 2015- 2017
Currently: Doing a PhD at Lund University, in Lund

What are some of the traditions that are typical for New Year's celebrations in Russia?

December 31st is considered New Year's Eve, but people will also be celebrating the Old New Year on 13 January (although on a smaller scale). In Russia, we make sure that the New Year is properly welcomed according to both Gregorian and Julian calendars.

It is the most important holiday of the year, so people prepare for it in advance by decorating their houses, buying presents and food and making special arrangements. Everything is cleaned in the house and all debts that you might have need to be repaid. This is necessary in order to enter the new year without any burdens. On TV, they always show old, legendary movies from the 60s and 70s all day and people watch them while preparing a table for the feast.

Before the clock strikes 12, one needs to make a wish - if one is very responsible, one would write a wish down, burn it, put the ashes in their champagne glass and drink it all while the clock strikes 12; as you can imagine, one needs to be a pro to do everything in such a limited period of time.

Any special foods?

Dishes such as 'herring under a fur coat', sandwiches with red caviar, olive and mimosa salads and tangerines are a must for the feast! And I will be drinking cherry juice!

Do you celebrate with family or friends?

It is quite common to celebrate this holiday with your family - I will do that as well.

New Zealand – Put on the summer clothes, pack some drinks and head to the beach

Name: Emily King (née Dowding-Smith)
Used to study: The MESPOM programme, Master's in Environmental Science, Policy and Management 2010-2011
Currently: Business owner (Spira.nz) and writes novels in Waiheke Island, New Zealand

What are some of the traditions that are typical for New Year's celebrations in New Zealand?

It’s the middle of summer for us so we have big summer parties, usually at the beach or at a music festival. It’s the week after Christmas and our main holiday (school is out) and everyone has time off. The country basically shuts down and we all go to the beach for a big party. At midnight, we count down!

Any special foods?

Food is not so important; sadly, it is more of a drinking culture around that time.

Do you celebrate with family or friends?

Mainly with friends in the past, going on big summer camping trips and music festivals. But these days it is more family-oriented.

India – You can find people bathing in rivers

Name: Sarthak Das
Used to study: Master’s in Wireless Communication, 2014 – 2016
Currently: Working at Ericsson and living in Lund

What are some of the traditions that are typical for New Year's celebrations in India?

The new year is celebrated across the world on the 1st of January which is in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. But, in India, it is celebrated in various regions at various times of the year depending on solar or lunar calendars - a perfect example of a diverse nation.

With the growth of Western culture, New Year’s Eve has become one of India’s many celebrations, but it is still not the traditional New Year’s day. I come from Odisha (one of the 29 states, located in Eastern India) and here the new year (we call it Pana Sankranti) is celebrated during the spring harvest time in accordance with the solar cycle of the lunisolar calendar.

To mark the festivities, people enjoy the day with family, friends and the community. They wear traditional attire, make regional festive meals, visit holy shrines, organise get-togethers or street processions, dance programmes, and decorate their homes.
You can also find people bathing in rivers or visiting major pilgrimage centres.

Any special foods?

Fish is considered an auspicious food and is generally eaten fried. But I would love to gorge on some of my favourite Indian sweets like Gulab jamun (fried milk balls soaked in rose syrup) and Jalebi (dough fried in a coil shape dipped in sugar syrup). And I’d love to have a Lassi, probably. It is a sweet savoury drink, a blend of yoghurt, water, spices and fruit. I prefer mango flavour.

Would you celebrate with family or friends?

Well, that depends. But if I have it my way, I would like to spend this day with friends and family. Attend some New Year's shows together and indulge in some fun-filled activities.

Brazil – Everyone dresses in white or light colours

Name: Juliana Bispo de Filippis
Used to study: Master’s in Industrial Design 2014-2016
Currently: Working at Kronaby in Malmö and living in Landskrona

What are some of the traditions that are typical for New Year's celebrations in Brazil?

On December 31st, people usually go to the beach, make offerings to different saints by throwing flowers in the water or getting in and "jumping" waves. Then there's usually a family dinner followed by going out with friends.

Everyone dresses in white or light colours to attract different things for the new year. It's a very followed tradition, you will only see a few exceptions dressed in dark colours, which is considered bad luck. People go out to beaches or open spaces to watch fireworks or go to big parties. It's common to drink a lot and party with friends and family.

Any special foods?

At home we eat lentils or gnocchi as they're said to be good luck for the new year. And we drink sparkling wine (champagne, prosecco). It is the custom but there's a lot of beer as well.

Do you celebrate with family or friends?

My family for dinner, then friends and boyfriend at night.

Ethiopia – Children hand out flowers and painted pictures to every household

Name: Garedew Yilma Desta
Used to study: Master of Science in Development Studies, majoring in Sociology 2014 – 2016
Currently: Working as a project coordinator, Evidence to End FGM/C research project at ESSSWA and living in Addis Ababa

What are some of the traditions that are typical for New Year's celebrations in Ethiopia?

Ethiopians still use the Julian calendar, which is why their new year falls on 11 September (or, during a leap year, 12 September). This day overlaps with the end of the rainy season and is celebrated with all kinds of merriment, gift exchanges, flowers, and cards. Now, according to the Ethiopian calendar the year is 2011.

The day is called Enkutatash meaning the "gift of jewels." When the famous Queen of Sheba retuned from her journey to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem, her chiefs welcomed her back by replenishing her treasury with jewels. Ethiopian children, clad in brand-new clothes, dance through the villages giving bouquets of flowers and painted pictures to each household. Modern Enkutatash is also the season for exchanging formal New Year's greetings and cards among urban people.

Any special foods?

It's traditional, in most houses, for a sheep and a chicken to be bought on New Year's Eve and then slaughtered by the man of the house early in the morning on New Year's Day. The meals from the animals are prepared for the New Year's lunch. Dulet is prepared by thinly slicing the sheep's tripe, kidney and liver and is served raw. Doro Wat is a red and spicy chicken stew served with boiled eggs. In households, "Tella" (home-made beer) and "Tej/Birzz" (honey wine) are served for drinks. I usually like to drink ‘tella’ for the holiday.

Do you celebrate with family or friends?

I always celebrate the new year together with my family and friends (mother, father, brother and sister).