Silvester - New Year's Eve in Germany
 Fireworks to bring in the New Year |
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Silvester (New Year?s Eve) is an important day in Germany, although only few know that the patron saint , Pope Silvester, died on Dec. 31st, 335.
Preparations start a few days before: buying the fireworks, composing the meal for friends or family or getting tickets for one of the many ?Silvester? balls or parties. Nobody wants to start the New Year alone. On the days before Silvester, you wish everybody you meet ?einen guten Rutsch? which means literally translated: Slip well into the New Year. On New Year?s Eve, the shops close at one o? clock ? it is a half-day holiday, like Christmas Eve. Those who have to work usually are very busy: staff in restaurants, policemen, staff in hospitals, firemen?
For the others, a cosy, festive, entertaining or amusing evening is about to start. Some attend church services. After a big meal some divert themselves in front of the TV where famous films are shown again, above all a post-war classic ?Dinner for One? - an English sketch in which Miss Sophie celebrates her 90th birthday, assisted by her faithful butler with ?the same procedure as every year?. For many watching this sketch is part of the Silvester tradition. Others try to glimpse a bit of the future by casting lead (a very old custom!) and by interpreting the results. Those very often have decorated their rooms with lucky charms like four-leaved clover, marzipan chimney-sweeps and little pink marzipan pigs. For others, the evening is filled with dancing and drinking. But one tradition unites all: at midnight all wait with their glasses of champagne or sparkling wine, till the church bells ring in the New Year, they toast to each other, wish each other happiness in the New Year, embrace and kiss each other.
Then the fireworks begin (some threw bangers immediately after they could buy them on December 29th, although it is not allowed then). Fireworks and bangers, costing around 100 million euros, were used this year in Germany. For at least half an hour, very often longer, the sky is illuminated in all colours and forms, after that thick wads of smoke hang in the air, and the streets are littered with debris.
On January 1st, neighbours meeting informally when they are all out cleaning the pathways, profit from that to wish each other a Happy New Year.
Family and friends are either visited, ?phoned, sent text messages or e-mailed to spread good wishes for the New Year.
Thus: A Happy New Year to all of you!
| | | Now for the clearing-up operation |
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