Gestures for good luck, rituals against failures and superstitions. The last evening of the old year and the morning of the new one can get really stressful. Lentils and money in your pocket, red panties and sparklers, grapes, kissing under the mistletoe, open and closed windows... It doesn't matter if you meet New Year in Italy with family, friends or in a room with your lover - this night is a game between what to do and what not to do. Follow tradition, but don't let it control you. Let's analyze the main traditions and rituals in New Year in Italy.

Lentils

Eating lentils on the last night of the year brings good luck. According to one version, since legumes survive well in nature, they are a symbol of longevity. According to another, lentils resemble ancient gold coins, hence the custom to give a wallet with lentils, which should attract real coins into it.

Fireworks and sparklers

It is said that evil spirits are afraid of loud noises. Because in New Year in Italy launch a lot of fireworks and firecrackers. Even a cork flying out of a bottle of champagne can scare away evil spirits.

Breaking dishes

This national tradition. But the Neapolitans seriously claim it. People break plates, glasses, pottery on the ground, as they accumulate bad energy at home. With the help of such a rite, she is released and leaves.

Presents

The custom of giving gifts existed in ancient Rome. It is believed that the amount of luck in the new year is proportional to the number of gifts received from friends and relatives. In some regions of Italy, young people gather and walk the streets singing Christmas carols in exchange for gifts, thereby increasing their luck.

Kiss under the mistletoe

Mistletoe has always been considered the tree of the gods. For the Druids, she was the embodiment of divinity, for she could both heal and turn into a deadly poison. The Anglo-Saxons associated mistletoe with the goddess Freya, the wife of Odin, the protector of lovers. Kiss under the mistletoe in the midnight battle of the New Year is an ancient rite of love and fertility.

red underwear

It is not clear where this tradition came from, but it is fair to say that on New Year's Eve the ancient Romans dressed in red clothes (and underwear), but in those days it was a talisman against blood and war. In imperial China, on New Year's Eve, strips of red paper were hung on the walls in houses - for marriage and fertility. In modern Italy, two things must be remembered. The first is that you don’t have to buy red underwear, you need to get it as a gift. The second - after the celebration, the linen must be thrown away, otherwise everything is in vain.

eating grapes

The tradition of eating grapes comes from Spain. Eating grapes at midnight, having them on the table on New Year's Eve and January 1 is a guarantee of prosperity. Like lentils, grape seeds symbolize coins.

Open windows and door

The tradition, typical for some regions of Russia, is also popular in Italy. Open windows create a flow of air with which evil spirits leave the house, and good spirits can enter the house through an open door.

Rituals and traditions on January 1

The rituals are not limited to the festive night. On January 1, you need to keep a close eye on and notice the first person you meet. If it's an old man or a hunchback, a year will pass good and fun. If you meet a child or a priest, be vigilant throughout the year - this is unfortunate. If you meet a woman... depends on tradition. I like to think that this is the best option and a symbol of great luck (wife or mistress does not count).

Remember that you can leave the house on January 1 with change in your pocket, not in your wallet: if you serve them to a homeless or beggar, you can consider yourself lucky for at least the next 365 days.

As we said at the beginning, New Year's traditions are a jungle where you can break your head. But now you know how to attract good luck, prosperity, love, fun and avoid troubles in the new year.

Christmas - and immediately to work, the New Year came, and work again ... And this is in a country where offices can be closed for 3 hours at lunch In general, while I'm here trying to come to terms with the fact that the holidays are over and I miss the fun January holidays in Russia, I'll write you about how they celebrate the New Year in Italy.

If Christmas in Italy is pure family holiday, then the New Year is an occasion to go out: go to a disco, a restaurant or a busy city square, over which fireworks will break out at midnight. And also get ready for the fact that if you celebrate the New Year in Italy, then there will be no snow here. Although Russia has been guilty of this lately

New Year traditions

First, about traditions. Here's what I dug up on google.

red underwear worn in new year's eve brings luck and love. Who is not married yet? We take note

twigs mistletoe(ital. vischio) also predict love success. A wreath woven from this plant and hung on the door will protect the house from evil forces. Kissing under the bush means providing yourself with love for the whole year, but the girl who remains alone under the mistletoe will not marry in the new year.

Previously, New Year's Eve in Italy began with throwing everything old and unnecessary out of the window- most often furniture Now, of course, no one throws a refrigerator out of the balcony, but you can throw an old torn sock, right?

Shortly before midnight the Italians open the window v dark room to let out all the bad things from the house, and in a bright room - to let the good in. If a priest honors you with a visit that night, then good luck in the new year will follow you on your heels.

fireworks- also part of the Italian New Year traditions. At one time, their noise was supposed to scare away evil spirits, and now fireworks sparkling in the sky simply give joy to residents. Although recently this tradition has begun to fade away - in many Italian cities the use of fireworks and firecrackers, which harm our smaller brothers, has already been banned.

Celebrate the New Year with pockets full of coins or bills, and you will not know the lack!

There are also very strange traditions of celebrating the New Year in Italy. For example, when you go outside, look for old man. If you find it, then you will have a long life, say the Italians. A hunchbacks bring good luck

Beat dishes for happiness accepted not only by us. Many Italian houses at midnight are filled with the sounds of glasses and plates breaking on the floor, and along with the fragments, all the bad things that have accumulated over the past year go away.

By the way, the Italian New Year is called capodanno- something like "leader of the year." And congratulations on the New Year in Italian sounds like this: “Buon Anno!” - "Have a good year!"

What do Italians eat on New Year's Eve?

The festive table is not distinguished by abundance and variety - the same dishes are repeated from year to year. In addition, the Italians, unlike us, do not start dinner at midnight - by the time the chimes strike, there can only be a bottle of champagne and light snacks on the table. The most important dishes for the New Year in Italy are cotechino- pork sausage - and lenticchie- lentils, which by its appearance resembles a handful of coins, which means it brings prosperity to the house. Cotechino sometimes replaces pork leg - zampone. The Italians associate the pig with moving forward, but the chicken, on the contrary, “hurries back”. Therefore, dishes from this bird are festive table you are unlikely to find. Vegetarians don't need to worry. In addition to lentils, you can cook Italian risotto(rice also symbolizes wealth) and bietola- beet tops. Although any greenery that attracts dollars, that is, "greenbacks", is suitable here.

Served for fruit dessert grape and Garnet- again, symbols of monetary well-being. One Italian proverb is even associated with the first, which says: “Whoever eats grapes on New Year’s, counts money all year round” (Chi mangia l’uva per Capodanno conta i quattrini tutto l’anno). Well, what is the New Year without tangerines

Dinner ends with eating dried fruits (most often dates) and panettone, which I already wrote about in an article about Christmas in Italy.

What to do on New Year's Eve?

Features of the New Year in Italy is that it is rarely met within the walls of an apartment. And certainly not on TV. Young people go to nightclubs, and those who are older celebrate the New Year in restaurants. Those who still stayed at home, after the chiming clock, take out board games, lotto (tombola) and cards. And the Italians play for money. Otherwise it's not interesting

And here are ideas of what you can do on the eve of the New Year or immediately after it:

• Skate- skating rinks (piste di pattinaggio), maybe not impressive in size, but here you can have fun from the heart;

Hooray! We have crossed the threshold of the New Year! For a while, we will forget and habitually write “2015” in place of the date in important documents and school notebooks, but very soon we will completely switch to “2016”. Someone decides to get rid of excess weight, someone - to have a child, and someone else - a cat. The most interesting thing is that it does not matter in which country we celebrate the New Year - for each of us this day symbolizes new hopes and dreams, which this time must come true. In general, Buon Anno, friends! Let the New 2016 bring to each of us what we asked for on New Year's Eve!

Unlike Christmas, it is customary to celebrate the New Year with friends, and not in the family circle. V new year holidays everything is decorated around with garlands, red ribbons, New Year's wreaths. On the squares of urban megacities there are huge elegant Christmas trees. Flower beds are planted under the trees. Formidable Venetian lions are also dressed up for the New Year - hats are put on their heads and white cotton beards are attached. The streets sparkle with colorful lights, thanks to the thousands of garland bulbs that wrap around the trees and facades of houses.

In Italy, it is customary to celebrate the New Year cheerfully, and quite noisily. This is generally a noisy nation ...

In order for the coming year to be successful, Italians dress in red underwear. Therefore, on New Year's days, all shop windows are full of red gizmos. In general, it is customary in Italy to buy new things for the new year. Generally speaking, the New Year for the people of Italy is everything new. From here came the custom of throwing old things out of the windows on New Year's Eve. However, due to the high risk of injury, walking under the balconies of Italian houses, this tradition has long gone out of fashion.

On New Year's Eve, everyone attracts good luck. And they do it in every possible way. For example, in order to live in abundance throughout the coming year, in Italy it is customary to put coins on the windowsills or light candles.

New Year's Eve is also a New Year's feast called St. Sylvester's dinner. It starts at about 9 o'clock and lasts right up to the New Year. It is best if there are 13 dishes on the table, but you can limit yourself to 5-7 dishes. The main dishes are lentils (lenticchie, lentikkie), which in their appearance resemble coins, as well as pork, caviar, nuts and grapes. On December 31, they usually treat themselves to pork legs, as if seeing off old year. And with the onset of the New Year, dishes from the pig's head are served at the table. After all, the pig is slowly but surely moving forward. bad omen it is believed to eat chicken dishes - after all, it is believed in Italy to hurry back. Also, for wealth and abundance, fish caviar is served at the table next year - and this is not surprising. Pork sausage is also served at the table. It is very oily and spicy, but every Italian must eat at least one slice to maintain the tradition. In some regions of the country, it is believed that the one who treats himself to a dish of Turkish peas will be lucky, and in other areas, in the first minutes of the New Year, they prefer to drink beer.

Grapes, so adored by Italians, play a special role. According to custom, 12 grapes must be prepared, and one should be eaten with each stroke of the clock. Whoever can eat the last grape in the first second of the New Year will have good luck throughout the year. After the twelfth stroke, the lights are turned off, and all the guests sitting nearby kiss.

Also on New Year's Eve they are treated to seafood, beans with honey, white beans. They bake pies, "pannetone", "torrone", "richarelia", etc. The traditional New Year's drink is Italian wine, and drinking champagne, besides French, is considered bad form.

After the traditional New Year's feast, everyone goes for a walk on the streets, where they continue to have fun. The most popular place on New Year's Eve is Piazza del Popolo - the central square of Rome. Not a single New Year in Italy is complete without fireworks, crackers and firecrackers. The deafening roar from the explosions will not let you sleep in the New Year - and this is not accepted. The most beautiful fireworks are launched in Naples.

Of great importance is who to meet in the new year first on the street. A meeting with a priest, a monk or a small child does not bode well, but if you see your grandfather first, and if you also have a hunchback, then happiness is guaranteed for you for the whole coming year. Another tradition that originated from the villages is to bring “new” clean water to the house on January 1st. The Italians have this proverb: "If you have nothing to give to your friends, give new water with an olive branch." Traditionally, a baked turkey is cooked for lunch on January 1st. On this day, the World Day of Peace is celebrated in Italy, and the Pope, on the occasion of this date, serves a Mass in the Vatican (in St. Peter's Cathedral).

New Year holidays in Italy, of course, are not complete without Santa Claus. True, the Italians call him Babbo Natale. Such a symbol of the New Year, along with the New Year tree, was borrowed from the Americans and became widespread only in the second half of the twentieth century. In this regard, Babbo Natale is practically no different from the American Santa Claus. This is the same kind, ruddy grandfather in a red camisole and red trousers, with a white beard, a sleigh pulled by reindeer.

It is not customary to give gifts on New Year's Eve in Italy. Besides, after Christmas they are no longer left. But gives gifts to children Kind fairy Befana. It happens on January 6th. With her appearance, Befana is similar to the Russian Baba Yaga. She has a hooked nose and her teeth protrude. Befana is dressed in a long cloak, a pointed hat and holey woolen stockings. Children look forward to her arrival, hanging their stockings from the fireplace. According to legend, Befana comes at night and puts delicacies in stockings for children who behaved approximately all year, and coals for pranksters. Fairy Befana has her own story...but not New Year's but Christmas's...

New Year in Italy: bright photos and videos, detailed description and reviews of the New Year's Eve event in Italy in 2020.

• Tours for May to Italy
• Hot tours to Italy

Add a review

Track

Previous photo Next photo

Italians are hot and temperamental people, which is why they always celebrate in a fun and big way. This is especially true of the New Year holidays, which begin with catholic christmas and end with Epiphany (here it falls on January 6).

A festive atmosphere hovers over Italian cities already in November, the country at this time miraculously transforms, the aroma of coffee, hot chocolate and New Year's magic mix in the cool December air.

Owners of shops and restaurants compete to see whose showcase will be more elegant. Ordinary residents do not lag behind them, decorating their windows and balconies with garlands, spruce wreaths and red ribbons. New Year trees rise on the main city squares, and next to it is the obligatory attribute of Catholic Christmas - the Nativity scene, a small exposition with figurines of biblical characters that tells about the birth of Jesus Christ and the visit of the Magi to him.

Christmas

chief winter holiday for Italians is Christmas, which is traditionally spent in the family circle. Believers on December 24 attend a festive service in the church, but most go there the next day. On the festive table there is always a baked chicken or turkey, various types of pasta, as well as special pastries with dried fruits and candied fruits.

New year's night

On New Year's Eve, all Italians have a lot of fun, as a rule, they spend time in a good restaurant or a nightclub in a noisy company of friends. That is why all entertainment establishments strive to diversify their entertainment program during this period and offer some special menu. But you won’t be bored on the streets that night either: concerts, theatrical performances, pyrotechnic shows and much more are held on the squares.

Recreation and shopping during the New Year holidays

It is during the Christmas holidays that the height of the ski season in the Italian Alps falls. In addition to skiing, tourists are also guaranteed an interesting show program in numerous nightclubs and resort bars. And those who prefer a more relaxing holiday, on New Year's Eve, can join the locals during the festivities and celebrate the holiday in accordance with old Italian traditions.

But not only the festive atmosphere attracts tourists from all over the world to Italy on New Year's days, because it is at this time that the season of grandiose sales begins, during which you can make purchases, while saving a lot.

Italian New Year - noisy and fun party. On the night of December 31 to January 1, after the chiming clock, crowds of tourists and local residents take to the streets to drink a bottle of wine in the company of friends and strangers, watch the fireworks and meet the dawn on the central city square. Theatrical performances are held in Italian cities and villages, musical concerts, discos and theme parties. Residents of the sunny country believe that the New Year should be celebrated on a grand scale so that it brings happiness and love.

Total renewal

Italians believe that negative energy accumulates in old things. Grandma's armchair or a rare TV can scare away good luck and wealth, so the inhabitants of a sunny country are trying to update the interior before December 31st.

Italians used to throw unwanted things out the open windows. Holly pants, broken appliances and utensils fell on the heads of passers-by. And some citizens had to run away from flying chairs and sofas. The Italian government has banned the dangerous tradition. Now law-abiding citizens take out old furniture from the apartment and leave it next to the trash cans. A nice chair or a vase can be picked up by any passer-by.

Italians sell household appliances and other valuable items at New Year's fairs. Tents with souvenirs and traditional dishes are usually placed near the central square and the Christmas tree. Tourists who dream of finding out how the New Year is celebrated in Italy are recommended to visit one of these fairs. And be sure to try the food offered by street vendors. They usually sell classic pies:

Torrone;
pannetone;
richarelli.

Traditional dishes are complemented by fine Italian wine or a glass of beer.

Festive dinner

New Year in Italian sounds like Capodanno - Saint Sylvester's Day. According to old traditions, guests are served 13 dishes: pies, sandwiches with caviar or pasta with seafood, nuts, chops and grapes. New Year in Italy is not complete without lentils, which resemble the shape of a coin. A dish made from this product is called lentikkie. Every inhabitant of a sunny country tries to eat as much lentil as possible before midnight, because he believes that it attracts wealth.

Boiled or baked pork legs should be present on the festive table. They symbolize the passing year. After midnight, guests are served pork head dishes.

Italians believe that the animal helps them move forward and achieve their goals.

Fish caviar attracts abundance and prosperity. Turkish peas bring good luck. Sweet pies with nuts, dried fruits and candied fruits are symbols of happiness and harmony. No on New Year's table only chicken dishes. The Italians do not favor the bird and believe that it attracts bad luck.

Residents of a sunny country sit down at the table at exactly 9 pm. Until midnight they eat, talk and drink wine. Some Italians prefer beer, but no one brings champagne with them. French sparkling wine - bad manners.

Italians cook dishes from white beans, seafood, beans and honey. Be sure to put sliced ​​​​pork sausage on the table. It is very spicy and oily, but every guest tries to eat at least a small piece.

Guests and hosts prepare 12 grapes 5 minutes before the chiming clock. Fruit brings good luck. After each stroke, counting the last seconds of the outgoing year, you need to eat a grape. If a person manages to swallow all 12 pieces, he will definitely be lucky. Grapes are washed down with a glass of beer, then they eat a piece of the pig's head and go outside to continue the celebration in the fresh air.

Fireworks and red linen

On New Year's Eve, Italian shops are transformed: bright garlands, wreaths of spruce branches, satin ribbons. And red dresses, ties, shoes and underwear appear in the windows. Italians believe that this color brings happiness. On New Year's Eve, men wear red shorts, and women wear scarlet or burgundy sets, peignoirs and stockings. The underwear is supplemented with new socks and tights. They attract money and wealth.

The windows of apartments and houses are decorated with lighted candles. Tiny lights, like beacons, attract good spirits and drive away evil ones. A coin is placed under each candle to lure good luck into the house.

At midnight, after the chiming clock, the Italians go out into the street and carefully peer at the passers-by. If the first person you meet is a child, a clergyman or a monk, the year will not be very successful. But the old man, and even with a hump, is considered the best gift. An elderly man promises joy, prosperity and happiness.

Tourists who do not know where to celebrate the New Year in Italy are recommended to buy tickets to Naples. Grandiose pyrotechnic performances are held in the city. Fireworks are a must Italian holiday. The sky is illuminated by bright flashes, and loud pops drown out joyful cries and do not let you sleep until the morning.

Salutes for Russians are entertainment and a beautiful performance. Italians use firecrackers and fireworks to drive away evil spirits from their homes.

Breaking dishes, grenades and jumping off a bridge

Wine and beer are poured into glasses only in the apartment. On the street, any alcohol, even champagne and cognac, is drunk from the throat. Only tourists use plastic cups. Bold Italians break empty bottles on monuments. True, for a salute from fragments, you can go to jail and pay a fine.

Instead of bottles, Italians break dishes. All year round they hoard negative emotions and cracked plates, and then freed from bad thoughts and old cups. Salad bowls, saucers and other kitchen items are thrown on the floor until it becomes easier. Dishes begin to be beaten at midnight, as if saying goodbye to the old year and bad memories from the past.

People who dream of becoming rich eat lentils, and couples who want to strengthen their love buy pomegranates. Red fruits are symbols of fidelity and tender feelings. If you share a pomegranate with your soulmate and eat it under the chimes, everything will definitely work out. Lovers will become less quarrelsome and jealous of each other.

The red fruit helps lonely people find their happiness in the new year. To meet a soul mate, you need to put a few pomegranate seeds in your underwear and walk with them all evening. In the morning, the crushed bones are thrown away and make a wish.

Tourists vacationing in Rome are advised to take a walk to the bridge over the Tiber River on January 1. Guests will see with their own eyes how desperate daredevils celebrate the New Year in Italy. Men and women who want to catch luck by the tail jump from the bridge. The waters of the Tiber are fast and unpredictable, but that doesn't stop the Italians. Each lucky person who swims to the shore will receive a reward - a lot of applause and good luck until the end of the new year.

Gifts and Santa

The Italians did not have Santa Claus until the 20th century. Fairy Befana came to the children on January 6th. An old woman with crooked teeth and a long nose would sneak into the house while everyone was sleeping and put gifts in stockings that were hung on the wall or fireplace. In the 20th century, the Italians borrowed Santa Claus from the Americans and named him Babbo Natale. An old man in a red suit comes to the children on January 1 and hands them a bright package. Babbo Natale rides a sleigh pulled by reindeer, and some modern Santas ride motorcycles.

Italian children are more looking forward to meeting Feya Befana. They hang striped socks by the fireplace and obey their parents for a whole year, because hooligans can get coal instead of an ordered car or designer.

Adult Italians do not give each other new Year gifts, Christmas only. On January 1, guests are given a glass of clean water and an olive branch. A gift brings happiness and peace to the house.

Parties and street performances

Travelers often don't know what to do in Italy for the New Year. Join the locals and go to the central square? A good option, because usually in the heart of large cities they arrange holiday concerts. Italian and foreign singers perform on stage, music bands and dancers.

Guests who do not want to spend New Year's Eve on the street can book a table in a restaurant or cafe in advance. Visitors don't have to order the lentil and chickpea stew. Italian restaurants serve both traditional dishes and Japanese sushi and rolls. It also serves delicious desserts and wine. And in elite institutions, live music often sounds.

Art lovers can go to New Year's performance to the theatre. Some performances last until 9-10 pm. After the presentation, guests are invited to banqueting hall where they interact with artists. At midnight, visitors, together with the theater troupe, raise their glasses to the new year.

In major cities, nightclubs are open on December 31st. Many establishments arrange themed new year parties. The holiday will be unforgettable thanks to the fun entertainment program, loud music and alcoholic cocktails. But getting into Italian nightclubs is not easy. You have to book tables in advance, because on New Year's Eve the locals also want to dance and have fun.

Ski resorts

Italians take care of their health and fitness. They do not like to lie on the couch for days and eat up salads. Many young couples spend Christmas and New Year in the mountains. In the morning they go skiing and snowboarding, and in the evening they drink wine by the fireplace and enjoy traditional cuisine.

Italians rest in small villages located in the western part of the country:

Passo Tonale;
Pinzolo;
Val di Sole;
Madonna di Campiglio.

Many tourists come to the Dolomites. In this region there are 12 villages where you can rent a house, and 4 major ski resorts. Experienced skiers and snowboarders are attracted by the "black" slopes and the opportunity to get a dose of adrenaline. Beginners come to the Dolomites for the stunning scenery and fresh air.

Italians like Ortisei and Courmayer. These ski resorts are considered the most prestigious in the country. Residents of Milan and Rome like to spend weekends and New Year holidays here.

Foreigners joke: “If you don’t know what to talk about with an Italian, tell him about your holidays in the Dolomites. He will instantly respect you."

Places for an unforgettable holiday

Sunny Italy for the New Year 2018 will turn into fairyland. Christmas trees will be set up in the central squares and lit holiday garlands. Stores are having a massive Christmas sale. Italians will choose gifts, and foreign tourists will choose the city where they want to spend an unforgettable weekend.

In Rome, music plays all night, and the sky shudders from fireworks. Near the Colosseum, pop singers and rock musicians perform. And in front of the Quirinal Palace, a symphony orchestra plays. In the morning, acrobats and clowns perform on the squares for adults and children.

In Venice, the old year is seen off with fireworks and loud cries. At midnight, when the chimes begin to beat, mass kisses are arranged in the squares. In the morning, Italians go to the Lido beach and swim in cold water, trying to get rid of the effects of a stormy night.

In Naples, despite the ban, they continue to throw old things out of the windows. But tourists are not afraid of this tradition, because they come to the city for the pyrotechnic performance, which is considered the best in the country. Non-Polish fireworks are accompanied by pop concerts and a symphony orchestra.

The inhabitants of Bologna celebrate the New Year in a big way. Fireworks, concerts, discos. But the main event is the burning of the effigy. In Piazza Maggiore, a huge straw old man is installed, and in a leap year, an old woman. The effigy is set on fire at midnight. This is how Bologna says goodbye to the old year and welcomes the new one.

Tourists who have chosen a sunny country will not regret it. Grandiose parties and concerts, loud fireworks and local traditions will turn the New Year in Italy into one of the most vivid and unforgettable experiences.