The fire-festivals at the end of the year have old Germanic roots. The year-end festival have already been celebrated by the Romans for the first time in January at the beginning of the year 153 BC, when the beginning of the year was moved from 1 March to the 1st January.
The association of the year-end with the name of "Silvester" (old German for wild man, from Latin silva, 'forest') dates back to 1582. At that time, the Gregorian calendar reform moved the last day of the year of 24 December to 31 December, the anniversary of the death of Pope Sylvester I († December 31 335).
In German-speaking regions, the new year begins often with fireworks, firecrackers, lead pouring (form of fortune-telling, another blog entry on that will follow) or midnight church services (Mette). Often you give four-leafed clover as present. The fireworks banishes "evil spirits" and today also expressed anticipation for the new year. In private New Year's Eve celebrations pouring lead and opening a bottle of champagne for New Year are widespread.
It is very popular to eat fondue or raclette with friends. Fondue meat, in hot oil or broth, can be cooked at the table, dipped in various sauces and eaten with bread and salads. The Raclette is originally a specialty from Switzerland, is layered with ham and vegetables in a small pan and topped with melted cheese, boiled potatoes and pickled vegetables. Many spend the time until midnight playing parlor games.
Right at 12.00 midnight most church bells ring in the new year. Depending on local tradition, the bell rings between ten minutes to an hour.
In recent years it was repeatedly called to give up the fireworks and donate the money instead to a charitable cause. The most famous campaign is "bread instead of firecrackers" and 2004 it was "rice instead of firecrackers. " End of December 2004 the German federal government called the population to donate money to charities to help the Tsunami victims.
In Germany the classic Dinner for One has secure a place in television's Eve. The rest of the program usually consists of sketch shows and live shows. Since New Year's Eve 1970 the respective Chancellor holds the New Year's speech, before it used to be the President.
Until 1988, the ZDF broadcasted the ringing of the Berlin Liberty Bell at midnight as a warning to German unity. Since 1989, the first German-German New Year's Eve, they broadcast the New Year celebrations at the Brandenburg Gate.
German greetings: (click for audio)Before the New Year: Guten Rutsch (ins neue Jahr)!
At midnight and in the first days of January: Frohes Neues Jahr!
Occasionally, also good luck as chimney sweeps, four-leaf clover and small marzipan pigs are given away.
The next day, New Year is a public holiday and, for example, used for sleeping in or for a long walk.
No comments:
Post a Comment