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It’s already year 2009, the Year
of the Ox. Have you made your New
Year’s resolutions? Last year was
full of many sad events. Let’s hope this year will be full of happy events.
This week, let’s find out how people in other
countries celebrate the New Year. Happy
New Year, everyone!
 New
Year’s in China
Chinese New Year is also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring
Festival. Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China.
It is celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Chinese
calendar. This year, Chinese
New Year falls on January 26. Many East Asian countries including Korea, Vietnam
and Mongolia also celebrate the Lunar New Year on the same day. Chinese New Year
is celebrated with firecrackers, dragon dances
and lion dances. On New Year’s Eve, Chinese people celebrate the beginning of a new year with
their family members and enjoy a nice dinner together. The New
Year’s Eve dinner is very large and traditionally includes chicken.
 New
Year’s in Japan
Japanese New Year is the most important holiday in Japan. On New
Year’s Eve, just before midnight, Buddhist temples ring bells
108 times. This ceremony is a way to send out the old year and
welcome the new. People in Japan celebrate New Year by decorating
their homes and entrance gates with several ornaments made of pine, bamboo and plum trees. They also clean their clothes and houses to make
them look fresh and new. On New
Year’s Day, many people celebrate the beginning of a new year by viewing the first sunrise. And then, they celebrate
the holiday with their family members and visit temples to pray. Like Korea, adults give money to children
on New Year’s Day. Japanese children also play various traditional games.
Some children also fly kites.
 New
Year’s in India
The Indian New Year is known as the festival of Deepawali or
Diwali. This festival is celebrated for five days. Deepawali is one
of the most cheerful festivals in India.
People make a lot of preparations for this festival
and decorate their houses with
fresh flowers. Then, they buy new clothes and exchange gifts with family
members and friends. People greet each other by giving New
Year cards and gifts and wishing each other a very
happy New Year. You can find small oil lamps and
candles all across the country during the New Year’s festival.
Deepawali is also known as the festival of lights. These oil lamps
and candles spread light all around,
welcoming the Indian New Year.
 New
Year’s in Sydney, Australia
On New Year’s Eve, many people come to Sydney to watch the fireworks near the Opera House. New
Year’s Day is a big holiday in Sydney. People enjoy the time with
their families camping on the beach. Some people go on
picnics with friends. Sydney’s Harbour Bridge is a famous destination for the people
of Australia during New Year’s. With colorful fireworks lighting up the sky, Harbour
Bridge offers a fantastic view on New Year
Eve. Following the beautiful fireworks, there is a float procession on the waters,
showcasing Australia’s famous sea animals. This display is actually huge lanterns. These lanterns
are about the height of a three-story building!
 New
Year in Hawaii
New Year in Hawaii is a time to feast. New Year decorations are put up everywhere along streets
and houses.
People exchange wishes and cards with their friends and family.
People in Hawaii also share nice foods and cakes
with their loved ones. Many people enjoy beachside parties in Hawaii
on New Year’s Eve.
They set bonfires at the beach and
enjoy fun games, dance and food to celebrate the New Year. |
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