New Year's Eve: National Traditions

New Year's Eve: national traditions How do people in different countries celebrate New Year's Eve? Inhabitants of the island fill all vessels in their houses with water ahead of New CUBA Year's Eve and then slop it out of their windows, wishing a clear way to the departing year Cuba Local residents make noise on New Year's Eve in every possible way to attract good New Year spirits SWEDEN PANAMA RUSSIA Panama Swedes break dishes over doors of their SCOTLAND friend's houses "for luck" Sweden Scots set fire to resin in a barrel and roll it along streets on New Year's Eve. The custom symbolizes the burning of the past year ENGLAND Scotland Besides spruce trees, the English decorate their homes with mistletoe twigs, symbolizing the revival of life after the winter solstice FRANCE England BULGARIA The one who finds a bean in a New Year's SPAIN pie is nicknamed a "bean king." All his wishes are fulfilled on New Year's Eve ITALY France Spaniards say the next year will be lucky if one eats 12 grapes while the clock strikes midnight GREECE Spain Italians throw old things away on New Year's Eve, traditionally through the windows of their houses. They believe that they get rid of problems and troubles of the past year in this way If Greeks are invited to celebrate New Year's Eve at their friends'homes, they usually place a stone near the door. The more stones are placed, the more money a hospitable host will have in the new year When all guests have gathered in a room, the lights are switched off for three minutes, intended for secret kisses Italy Greece Bulgaria RIANOVOSTI 2010 www.rian.ru