How the New Year is celebrated in different countries of the world. P. 2.

Germany

In Germany, it is believed that Santa Claus on New Year appears on the donkey. Before going to bed, the children put a plate on the table for gifts, which Santa Claus will bring, and put hay in the shoes - a treat for his donkey.

Cuba

Children's New Year's holiday in Cuba is called the Day of Kings. Kings-wizards, who bring gifts to children, are called Baltasar, Gaspar and Melchor. On the eve of the New Year, the children write letters to them, in which they tell of their cherished desires. Cubans in the New Year's Eve fill with water all the dishes that are in the house, and at midnight they start pouring it out of the windows. In such a way all the inhabitants of the Island of Freedom wish the New Year a bright and clean way, like water. And while the clock beats 12 beats, people need to eat 12 grapes, and then goodness, harmony, prosperity and peace will accompany them all twelve months.

Hungary

In Hungary, in the" fateful "first second of the New Year people prefer to whistle - and using not fingers, but children's pipes, horns, whistles. It is believed that they are driving away evil spirits from houses and calling for joy and prosperity. Preparing for the holiday, Hungarians do not forget about the magical power of New Year's dishes: beans and pea keep the strength of spirit and body, apples - beauty and love, nuts can protect from harm, garlic - from illnesses, and honey - sweeten life.

Japan

Japanese children celebrate New Year in new clothes. It is believed that this brings health and luck in the New Year. On New Year's Eve, they hide under the pillow a picture depicting a sailboat on which seven fairy magicians are swimming - seven patrons of happiness. 108 rings of the bell announce the coming of the New Year in Japan. According to an old belief, each ring "kills" one of the human vices. But each of the vices has 18 different shades - that's what the Japanese bell rings on them. Japanese Santa Claus is called Segatsu-san - Lord New Year.

Czech Republic and Slovakia

A cheerful little man, dressed in a shaggy fur coat, a tall mutton hat, with a box behind him, comes to Czech and Slovak children. His name is Mikulas. For those who have studied well, he will always have gifts.

Holland

Father Frost sails to Holland on the ship. Children joyfully meet him at the pier. Santa Claus loves funny jokes and surprises and often gives children marzipan fruits, toys, candy flowers.

China

In China, the New Year's tradition of bathing the Buddha has been preserved. On this day, all the Buddha statues in temples and monasteries are respectfully washed in clear water from mountain springs. And people pour water on them at a time when others say New Year wishes for happiness. Therefore, on this festive day, everyone walks the streets in thoroughly soaked clothes.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, guests, relatives gather for the New Year at the festive table and the lights are turned off in all houses for three minutes. The time when guests stay in the darkness is called minutes of New Year's kisses, the secret of which will be kept by dark.

Kyrgyzstan

On January 1, Kyrgyzstan celebrates the national holiday - the New Year. The first public New Year party in the history of Kyrgyzstan was held in Pishpek on December 28, 1895. 200 children were invited. They were students of men's and women's schools. The funds were collected by the local intelligentsia. A merry holiday was a success, but it did not end with one party - in the evening of the same day an amateur performance was staged with charitable purposes. The considerable sum of 85 rubles for those times, which was collected, was used to help poor city students, as well as to the library-reading room that was supposed to be open.

The celebration of the New Year in Kyrgyzstan practically does not differ from a similar holiday in other republics of the former USSR. But, the New Year in Kyrgyzstan is often celebrated without snow at a temperature of plus ten. However, those who wish can go to the mountains to the ski resorts, where there is as much snow. By tradition, the country's main tree is set on the central Ala-Too Square, which at this time enjoys even greater popularity among the population and tourists.

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