- History of the New Year in Italy
- Traditions and customs
- Home decoration
- Festive table
- What do they give for the New Year?
- Public events
New Year in Italy is one of the favorite holidays, filled with a special atmosphere and accompanied by festivities, as well as general fun. The Italians call the main celebration of the year Capodanno or St. Sylvester's Dinner.
History of the New Year in Italy
The history of the holiday in the country goes back more than 400 years, when the Roman church officially proclaimed the date of December 31 as the end of the outgoing year. From that moment, Italy began to celebrate the New Year according to the new calendar calculation. Until 1575, the change from one era to another fell on Easter or Christmas. There was no unity on this issue. In Pisa and Florence, the New Year was celebrated in the spring, in Apulia, Calabria and Sardinia on September 1, and in Venice on March 1. Therefore, the establishment of one date for the holiday was quite satisfactory for all the inhabitants of Italy. Over time, the New Year began to acquire national omens and beliefs, and the Italians themselves look forward to December 31 every year.
Traditions and customs of the Italian New Year
It is customary to celebrate the holiday in accordance with the rituals that have been preserved for a long time. Among the most popular:
- Celebrating the New Year with friends or family. At the same time, on the night of December 31, Italians strive to create as much noise as possible in order to spend the old year together with the bad events that took place in it. A huge number of people gather in the central square of Rome, Piazza del Popolo, who take part in concert programs and colorful performances.
- When fireworks start in all cities in Italy, it is customary to make a wish. Superstitious Italians firmly believe that it will definitely come true in the new year.
- Between December 31st and January 2nd, Italians put on new clothes or underwear with red accents. Red is a faithful companion of good luck and financial well-being.
- On January 1, leaving the house, you should pay attention to the first comer. If this is a priest, then disappointment awaits you, a child - joy, a hunchbacked person - happiness and love.
- On New Year's Eve, old things and unnecessary trash are thrown out of the windows. The tradition is rather strange, but the inhabitants of Italy are convinced that the ritual attracts good luck.
- Under the chimes, you can make a wish and quickly eat 12 grapes. Those who manage to do this will be healthy next year.
- After December 31, clean water is brought into the house, symbolizing spiritual harmony and longevity. Water bottles are often given to each other with the wishes of a "Happy New Year".
Home decoration
Italians are anxious about the New Year's decoration of the home. An ordinary apartment, as a rule, turns into a fairy-tale world in a few hours. A Christmas tree is installed in the center of the room. Sometimes it has been standing since Christmas, and in addition to it, compositions of mistletoe branches are hung on the walls. Since ancient times, this plant has been considered in Italy the best amulet against evil spirits. Also, mistletoe has a beneficial effect on couples in love. According to legend, a kiss under a mistletoe branch will help find complete understanding in the new year.
The Italians lay out small coins and put candles on the windowsills. The shining metal of money in a candle flame brings wealth and good luck in a career to the house.
As for the streets of the city, on the New Year they are radically transformed. Trees and balconies of houses are decorated with flowers, and whole mini-exhibitions are made in the windows using illumination.
Festive table
Three hours before the celebration, all the hostesses of Italy are already ready to please their loved ones with culinary delights. Traditionally, the menu includes:
- Lentike (lentils stewed with vegetables);
- dzampone (pork leg with a variety of fillings);
- kotekino (sausage made from pork or beef);
- seafood pasta;
- dried fruit and candied fruit pie;
- panini (a sandwich with cheese, herbs and tomatoes);
- panna cotta (cream-based dessert);
- risotto;
- lasagne.
Chicken dishes are deliberately not served on the table, as Italians consider this bird too slow. That is, having eaten chicken for Sylvester's dinner, chances are that things will go a long way next year. From alcoholic drinks, they prefer beer, wine or champagne.
What do they give for the New Year?
The best present for any Italians will be fine wine or high quality olive oil. Such a gift will be appreciated by everyone, since the inhabitants of Italy are true gourmets in the choice of these products.
Gifts are purchased in advance at numerous Christmas markets and sales. Young people make each other happy with souvenirs, red clothes, new products in the field of technology and nice little things.
Of course, children are waiting for the most gifts. The donation function in Italy is performed by the fairy-tale characters Babbo Natale and the fairy Befana. Babbo Natale is the prototype of Santa Claus and looks very similar to him. In order to receive a gift from him, the child needs to read a poem, sing a song or guess a riddle. You can also write a letter to Italian Santa Claus and send it 1-2 months in advance to his residence, where it will be read and answered.
Fairy Befana arrives on the night of January 6-7 and puts gifts in stockings hung by the bed. Pranksters and hooligans get black coals, obedient children - sweets and hidden presents.
Public events
Due to the fact that in Italy Christmas is celebrated on December 25, followed by the New Year, the whole country turns into a fairy kingdom. Large city authorities organize large-scale events that take several weeks.
The focus on New Years is Rome, Milan, Venice and Florence. Tall live fir trees, decorated with glass balls, colorful garlands and golden beads, are set in the main squares. Next to the spruce there are improvised scenes intended for the performance of the best creative teams of the city. At midnight, festivities begin on the streets and continue for another 5-8 days.
During the New Year, Italians prefer not only to visit the central squares, but also to enjoy shopping at numerous fairs.
