New Years around the world
New Year's is a time to reflect on the past year's events, spend time with friends and family, and take a look forward to celebrate the coming year. There are many different types of New Year's celebrations based ont he religious beliefs and cultural traditions around the world. This year, the New Year's port of call will bring these various types of international New Year's celebrations to life. Specifically, we will focus on the Jewish New Year celebration known as Rosh Hashana, and the Chinese, Caribbean, American, and Peruvian celebrations of the new year. Also, we will highlight American personalities who have helped to welcome the New Year over the years. There will be festive food and drink, including certain good luck foods to eat for the coming year (a Southern tradition). Make sure to stop by our corner to hear Guy Lombardo's rendition of "Auld Lang Syne!"
Caribbean
The Caribbean New Year, also known as Old Year's Night, is celebrated throughout the Caribbean Islands. The festivities include a carnival of music, masquerades and dancing. It is also common to crown a Calypso King or Monarch. Calypso music is commonly played at the carnival, which does not include amusement rides, and is actually based on folklore, culture, and religion.
Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, is a time for reflection, renewal, and celebration. The holiday is a time of personal reflection on the previous year, as well as a time to look forward to the coming year with resolutions for personal growth and improvement. A harmonious blend of serious personal stocktaking is balanced with a sense of celebration and renewal. Families gather together to enjoy an array of traditional sweet symbolic foods which are customarily served on Rosh Hashana. These foods may include apples dipped in honey, warm round challah dipped in honey, pomegranates, fish, carrots and honey cake, to name just a few. A traditional Shofar or Ram's Horn is sounded during prayers, to arouse the soul and to motivate and inspire personal improvement. The holiday is replete with brilliant age old traditions and customs intended to inspire new energy for the coming year.
Chinese New Year, aslo known as Lunar New Year, is widely celebrated in Asian communities throughout the world. This festive holiday is celebrated over 15 days, beginning with the New Moon on the first day of the New Year and ending with a full moon 15 days later. The holiday begins with intimate family gatherings and ends with public celebrations on the 15th day of the holiday. The final d ay of the holiday is traditionally celebrated with a nighttime Lantern Festival. Displays of lit lanterns are often hung from storefronts and children can be seen parading through the streets toting colorful lit lanterns. The holiday is also marked by traditional dragon and lion dances. City streets come alive with color as large processions of costumed dancers proudly display long dragons and lions crafted from brightly colored paper or cloth. Chinese New Year marks the longest and most significant celebration in the Chinese calendar.