Boris Johnson reflects on 2020 in New Year speech
Happy New Year! While celebrations may not be their usual extravagant parties, meals out and time with friends and family – the New Year is still a time to be merry. While 2020 has been a tumultuous year due to the coronavirus vaccine, the roll-out of vaccines starts 2021 off on a far more positive note.
Around the world, the New Year is welcomed in very different ways, from huge fireworks displays to smashing plates, eating grapes to ringing bells.
Fireworks displays can be seen worldwide, and Sydney has already welcomed 2021 with a lavish display over the Harbour Bridge.
However, this year has seen London’s fireworks cancelled in order to prevent crowds gathering as coronavirus cases surge.
In Denmark, smashed plates bring good luck in the New Year while in Romania, dressing up as a bear can ward off evil spirits.
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Celebrating New Year in Spain could see you eating grapes as there is a tradition to eat one grape each time the clock strikes at midnight.
In some South American countries, people may be seen walking the streets with an empty suitcase around the New Year.
Japanese traditions call for bells to be rung 108 times, while in Johannesburg, South Africa and Italy people like to start the year without any unwanted items.
So in these countries, they throw any old furniture from their windows to symbolise a fresh start.
In the Philippines, any objects which are round – like coins and grapes – are considered to bring wealth and success.
Ecuador sees many residents set fire to scarecrows which are filled with paper at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Any old photographs which represent bad memories are also burnt.
Doing this helps to banish any ill-fortune or bad things which have happened during the last year.
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How to say Happy New Year in 36 languages
1. Afrikaans – Voorspoedige nuwe jaar
2. Arabic – Kul ‘am wa antum bikhair
3. Basque – Urte Berri on
4. Bengali – Shuvo noboborsho
5. Chinese (Cantonese) – Sun nien fai lok
6. Chinese (Mandarin) – Xin nian yu kuai
7. Czech – Stastny Novy Rok
8. Danish – Godt Nytí r
9. Dutch – Gelukkig nieuwjaar
10. Esperanto – Bonan Novjaron
11. Finnish – Onnellista uutta vuotta
12. French – Bonne année
13. German – Ein gluckliches neues Jahr
14. Greek – Eutychismenos o kainourgios chronos
15. Hawaiian – Hauoli Makahiki hou
16. Hebrew – Shana Tova
17. Hungarian – Boldog uj evet
18. Indonesian (Bahasa) – Selamat Tahun Baru
19. Italian – Felice Anno Nuovo or Buon anno
20. Japanese – Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu
21. Korean – Sehe Bokmanee Bateuseyo
22. Laotian (Hmong) – Nyob Zoo Xyoo Tshiab
23. Latin – Felix sit annus novus
24. Nigerian (Hausa) – Barka da sabuwar shekara
25. Norwegian – Godt Nytt í r
26. Philippines (Tagalog) – Manigong Bagong Taon
27. Polish – Szczesliwego Nowego Roku
28. Romanian – La Multi Ani si Un An Nou Fericit
29. Samoan – Ia manuia le Tausaga Fou
30. Spanish – Feliz año nuevo
31. Swahili – Heri za Mwaka Mpya
32. Swedish – Gott Nytt í r
33. Thai – Sawatdee Pi Mai
34. Turkish – yeni Yılınız mutlu olsun
35. Vietnamese – Chuc mung nam moi
36. Welsh – Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
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