New Year celebrations

New Year celebrations

On the night of 31 December and the morning of 1 January, people in many countries all over the world will celebrate the beginning of a new year. How will they celebrate and how did this tradition begin?

Do the preparation task first. Then read the article and do the exercises.

Preparation

'For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.' – TS Eliot

New year, old celebrations

There have been celebrations to mark the beginning of a new year for thousands of years. Sometimes these were simply an opportunity for people to eat, drink and have fun, but in some places the festivities were connected to the land or astronomical events. For example, in Egypt the beginning of the year coincided with when the River Nile flooded, and this normally happened when the star Sirius rose. The Persians and Phoenicians started their new year at the spring equinox (this is around 20 March when the Sun shines more or less directly on the equator and the length of the night and the day are almost the same).

The oldest celebration

The city of Babylon in ancient Mesopotamia was where the first New Year's celebrations were recorded about 4,000 years ago. The Babylonians held their celebrations on the first new moon after the spring equinox and called this festival Akitu (which comes from the word the Sumerians used for barley). Barley was cut in Mesopotamia in the spring, and during Akitu there was a different ritual on each of the 11 days that the celebration lasted. Statues of the gods were carried through the streets of the city, and in this way the Babylonians believed that their world had been cleaned to prepare for the new year and a new spring.

Modern celebrations

In many cities all over the world, spectacular fireworks displays take place as soon as the clock passes midnight on 31 December. In recent years, Sydney in Australia has been the host to one of the first of these celebrations as New Year arrives there before most other major international cities. The display takes place in Sydney Harbour, with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge making it a stunning setting. Fireworks light up the skies in hundreds of cities as 12 midnight strikes around the globe.

Traditions that live on

There are a number of strange and interesting New Year's traditions around the world. In Scotland, New Year's Eve is called Hogmanay and 'first footing' remains a popular custom with people visiting friends' and neighbours' houses just after midnight. The first person who visits your house should bring a gift as this will mean good luck. In Spain, it is the custom to eat 12 grapes as the bells sound for midnight on 31 December. One grape is eaten at each sound of the bell and each grape is supposed to bring good luck for each month of the year ahead. In Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela and some other Central and South American countries, people wear special underwear of different colours on New Year's Eve. Red is supposed to be good for bringing love in the new year, while yellow is supposed to bring money.

Out with the old, in with the new

The new year is a perfect time to make a change for the better. The tradition of making New Year's resolutions is more common in the western hemisphere but also exists in the eastern hemisphere. This tradition involves a person making a commitment to change an unwanted habit or behaviour or setting a personal objective. Typical New Year's resolutions might be to give up smoking, eat healthier food, do more exercise, become more organised or laugh more – but really, a New Year's resolution can be almost anything. However, research suggests that many New Year's resolutions fail. Being realistic about the objectives you set and not making too many New Year's resolutions might help you to achieve success.

Task 1

Task 2

Discussion

Download
Worksheet66.49 KB

Language level

Average: 3.9 (30 votes)
Do you need to improve your English?
Join thousands of learners from around the world who are making great progress with their English level with our online courses.
Profile picture for user asencu

Submitted by asencu on Sat, 19/01/2019 - 19:28

Permalink
I was at home with my husband in 31 December. I decided to for new year. My decision is ' I will study english at least 30 min everyday. ' I generally study in learnenglish.bririshcouncil.org. Thank you so much all of them.

Submitted by bilaltay on Tue, 15/01/2019 - 18:01

Permalink
In my country, gathering are held in houses and in pubs and restaurants to celebrate the new year. Parties are also held in public places to celebrate.
Profile picture for user Edith Kangabe

Submitted by Edith Kangabe on Wed, 09/01/2019 - 14:29

Permalink
On the 31st of December before mid night I go to the church and attend mass to prepare to embrace the new in prayer with my new year resolutions.
Profile picture for user Alexander Bladeck

Submitted by Alexander Bladeck on Sun, 06/01/2019 - 00:50

Permalink
It is very interesting to know the roots of this celebration. Although I notice that sadly have dark origins.

Submitted by sandragiron on Sat, 05/01/2019 - 17:19

Permalink
I am Sandra from Colombia. I have been living in The UK for many year and I am interesting to start a Master in the university, therefore it is necessary to do IELTS academic. I don't feel confident.

Submitted by Farrukh Maqsood on Sat, 05/01/2019 - 13:17

Permalink
Above article is really interesting related to new year celebrations in past history. I always try to celebrate new year with my wife as she plays an important role in my life. I put effort to make her happy by adopting different means. For instance, I gave her ring on last year eve and than we took a delicious dinner outside. I also made resolution that i will lost by belly fat by avoiding eating fats.

Submitted by Jaygabson on Fri, 04/01/2019 - 23:44

Permalink
My new was wonderful. I received friends and well wishers who came to celebrate with me. Thinking about how the year is going to be, I sat down gently at home thinking about what to do and how to go about my plans that I have drafted for the year. There were gifts from my friends and prayers were also offered to mark the beginning of the year and also, to achieve success in all my plans for the year.at this time of the year, resolutions were made but I think the most important thing to do is to ensure that all the plans that have been drafted out are carried out effectively through the help of God. The new year celebration was interesting and quite memorable.

Submitted by Camiladub on Fri, 04/01/2019 - 22:02

Permalink
Hi! We spent the first moments of this new year eating and drinking with family and friends. I like to watch the fireworks lightening in the ski. We also prayed God for a best year.

Submitted by Duzkoy on Tue, 01/01/2019 - 22:11

Permalink
This year new year is special for me to celebrate it i go to sömestre with my friend i danced with the music among a lot of people the music got into my inside my soul flied in the air without drinks