Traditions of the New Year in Spain. Learn how to celebrate the New Year in Spain

The New Year is a holiday that millions of people are waiting with great impatience and hopes for happiness. For some, this is an occasion for the whole family to gather, for someone to see old friends, for some, 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, gay. Traditions of the New Year in Spain can simply amaze 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 people of this country, they can not live without fun. No exception is the New Year in Spain. Traditions, customs, we now consider.

About the holiday as a whole

The winter period of carefree fun begins here on December 25th. On this day the Spaniards celebrate Christmas. Holidays last as long as 12 days, until the Day of the Magi (January 6). Each of these dates has its own traditions. New Year in Spain waiting for adults and children, because it is an occasion to have some fun with the soul, and not at home by the TV, as is customary here, but on the streets of the city. On this day you will not fall into any theater or cinema, everything is closed here. It is believed that everyone should be on the streets if possible.

Christmas tree or a flower?

Sometimes the traditions of the New Year in Spain seem even slightly ridiculous. For example, this holiday is associated with a Christmas tree - beautiful, big, dressed up. However, very many Spaniards do not perceive this evergreen miracle as a symbol of the New Year. For these purposes, they have a flower - a punch (Flor de Navidad). The time of its flowering, as a rule, falls on Christmas, and bracts have the form of a star. Many residents call it "Bethlehem Star". Yes, do not be surprised, because we have just started to discuss the traditions of the New Year in Spain. You will learn more and not like that.

Of course, such a love of poinsety does not mean that there is no Christmas tree here. They are in the houses, in the streets, and in the central squares. Even if the family or friends gathered at the table that day, then after the meal they simply have to go out and meet New Year there. In Spain, such traditions appeared largely due to the warm climate, otherwise they would not 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 by hand. It is impossible to see it almost without a jar of excellent local production whiskey in hand. Traditions of the New Year in Spain for children, of course, are associated with a bearded grandfather. He also brings gifts. But they do not leave them in their socks, which are suspended to the fireplace, and not under a beautiful tree, but on the most ordinary window sill. On a festive morning, the children there find sweets, souvenirs and other pleasant things.

Festive table

Concerning this part of the holiday there are special traditions of the New Year in Spain. The photos placed in our article will help you to feel the whole atmosphere better, even mentally to visit Spain on solemn days. As we have already said, before going out onto the streets of the city people sit down at a richly decorated holiday table. For such a holiday, they prepare both traditional dishes and their favorite dishes. This is a snack from a melon with a jamon, and tartlets with all kinds of stuffing. Tables usually break from fish and seafood. Naturally, it is impossible to imagine a full-fledged holiday without a lot of sweets - cookies with cumin, pies, almond cakes. Also on the table there must be a bottle of very high-quality wine, for Spain is famous for winemaking for the whole world. As you can see, with respect to the lavish feast and richly laid tables are very similar to our tradition of the New Year 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 moments.

Traditions of the New Year in Spain

In English there is little talk, although on this day you can hear such congratulations, songs. There is another tradition in these parts that is alien to us. As you already know, after a house feast, people gather to continue the fun on the streets of the city. While some dance and sing, others meet at the church and for several hours remember all the significant events of the past year. Then a fun contest is held among the youth. They write on paper notes the names of all present, drop them into a bag and pull them in turn. Thus, "loving couples" are formed for the whole New Year's Eve. Although this is a joke, but they all the night long should behave as if they have long been in love with each other.

What happens at midnight?

As soon as the clock marks the coming of the New Year, all those gathered in the city square begin to embrace, kiss each other, congratulate, even some hand over pleasant trifles to strangers. It looks very nice and at the same time solemn, when completely unfamiliar people behave as if they were relatives or best friends. After that, real folk festivities begin with crackers, Bengal lights, dances, songs, fireworks.

12 grapes

This tradition is rooted in the distant past of Spanish kings. If over the past year the harvest of grapes in the country was very good, the kings ordered their subjects to distribute it in all the streets to all the townspeople in any quantities. Today between the strokes of the clock there are 3 seconds, for which you must have time to eat grapes, so it turns out 12 berries. Only need to spit out the bones until the moment when the fight is over. Grapes for the Spaniards are a symbol of wealth, prosperity, prosperity. He must be present at the festive table, in the baskets of those people who go to the area to have fun. That is, during the fight the clock can not be left without a rod in hand - a bad omen. Even if you celebrate a celebration in a restaurant, you will certainly be served at the right time 12 berries without twigs in polyethylene.

Red lingerie will have to be bought

This tradition was born relatively recently in Spain. For the coming year to be successful in all aspects, on a festive night it is necessary to wear red underwear (panties, garters, socks, etc.).

What else is interesting?

If on the eve of the holiday in this country you decide to go on a visit, be sure to take with you as a presentation a piece of nougat and a bottle of champagne.

If the guests came to you, do not forget to prepare in advance special gifts - handbags, which are called cotillions. As the content in them, you need to put festive attributes - balloons, serpentine, masks, musical horns and so on. You can open them only after the battle of the clock. It turns out that the owners of the house so guaranteed to receive a cheerful and noisy holiday.