August 11, 2016 4:26 pm Zurich - Switzerland, Madrid, Barcelona - Spain, Munich - Germany January 2014
This was the first New Year that we celebrated not at home, not in Russia and not abroad. festive table. The trip turned out to be active: 3 countries, 4 cities and 6 flights.
It all started on December 28 with a morning and very early flight from Moscow to Munich. In Munich we had no more than 6 hours to walk. Big praise for the railway transport in Germany, everything is very simple - you buy tickets from a machine, it’s clear, you can choose the language quickly, and most importantly, clearly on schedule, which is very important when viewing the city when you have a long flight connection. Having arrived in the city center via the S-Bahn, we found ourselves in the central square of the city - Marienplatz, dark, sparsely populated and all the Christmas beauty was being dismantled. About +7 degrees and very quiet. The town turned out to be very quiet, cozy, and, as it seemed to me, typical German. Beautiful, discreet, clean. We were very upset that all the decorations for Christmas were dismantled on December 28, we knew that the fairs end on December 24-25, but it was a surprise that absolutely everything was removed.
Due to the fact that we only had 6 hours, we were only able to see the central part of the city. After a walk, we went to a restaurant. From food we tried sausages: white Munich and red, cabbage, mashed potatoes and beer, the food was average, I generally realized that I don’t like German and Austrian (Viennese) cuisine. None of this compares with Czech cabbage and shanks. Then we took the same S-Bahn train back to the airport, but it turned out that only the back part of the train was going there. We would have left in the other direction from the airport if it weren’t for the caring Germans. They saw that we were with a suitcase (in Germany, things are amazingly cheap; at the time the exchange rate was 1 euro = 43 rubles, and then we bought a suitcase for 50 euros and managed to buy a lot of things on a shopping street, not far from the square). We had to quickly run across with a new suitcase full of things.
I especially want to note the inspection at the airport, if the Italians don’t care what you’re bringing there, where you’re going and whether you’re going to stay here, then the Germans checked everything - documents, reservations, return tickets, the purpose of the visit, and very seriously inspected everyone, then there was no these high-profile terrorist attacks in Europe, but they were still on alert. We flew to Munich and from there to Barcelona by Lufthansa, everything was very good, tasty, cozy, but their landings were a bit scary, the plane seemed to fall to the ground both times.
Barcelona.
The second city was Barcelona, where we stayed from the evening of December 28 to 31. We arrived in the evening and wandered around in the center for a very long time, looking for our hotel not far from Plaza de España. It turned out that the hotel was right under our noses and we were just wandering around. The Onyx Fira hotel turned out to be pleasant, with internet in the room and in the very center of the city. The fact is that Fira is an exhibition complex not far from the square, and everyone sent us there, but the hotel has a sign on the side, and it’s simply not visible. After walking around the square in the evening and eating local food at Tapa-Tapa (their potatoes and jamon are delicious), we went to bed.
The morning started with breakfast, we try not to take breakfast at the hotel, it is rarely tasty there and there is no national food either. The Spaniards have very strange breakfasts. There are 2 options here, either you will be offered a baguette (bun, panini, whatever) stuffed with tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, a small amount of herbs and jamon, maybe with cheese, or you will be offered churros with hot chocolate. In general, I don't associate this food with breakfast, but the churros are worth a try. These are donuts that are considered a national delicacy in Spain; in Barcelona they are often sold with a filling - white cream or chocolate; in Madrid I have never seen them with a filling. On all our trips, my husband and I like to wander around the city on our own; we can find up to 30 km in a day.
Barcelona is generally conducive to such walks; there is something to see and where to go. Moreover, at the end of December the weather is beautiful, it reminds me of our Moscow September in good year. During the day around +18-20, in the evening 12-15. I even soaked my feet in the sea and lay on the beach. From Piazza di Spagna we walked to the fountain and up through the Fira complexes to the observation deck. The city is amazing, perhaps one of the best I've ever seen: warmth, sea, beach, palm trees, sun, blue sky and view of tiled roofs, as well as a sea of flowers, palm trees, greenery and tangerines on the trees - this is a very incomplete description of Barca. We really liked it near the port and in general on the embankment, we walked to the Olympic rings, in the 90s there was an Olympics here. The impression of the city is a fairy tale from which you don’t want to leave.
But the Barcelona metro is something terrible, uncomfortable platforms, no decoration, water is pouring (!), there are holes in the walls, and it’s not cheap, and besides, it’s a zonal system that I still haven’t fully understood. For 2 full days there we walked around the city with 2 different sides, saw Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, La Rumba Boulevard, Plaza de España and Plaza Catalunya. We didn’t have time to get on the lift, even in December the queue was very long, the staff said at least 2 hours, but we didn’t have that much downtime, we wanted to see more. And in general, you need to return to Barsa, preferably when the water is warm. Regarding the New Year, there simply isn’t one in Europe, there are few Christmas trees, even fewer decorations, but in Moscow the holiday is felt much more. There were Christmas trees in Barcelona, they were not removed until the New Year, like in Germany, but they look very strange against the background of palm trees. Usually in Moscow at the end of December I am always in a festive, New Year’s mood, in warm Spain I didn’t have it at all, it seemed to me that I was somewhere in September.
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On the afternoon of December 31st we set out for Madrid. Our flight lasted only 50 minutes, no complaints about Iberia. But the crew on the plane was cheerful; apparently, families were flying for the New Year, because on the plane there were only children and parents, and many babies. I love children very much, but when a wild scream doesn’t stop around you for 50 minutes, and I feel sorry for them, but it’s terrible. We lived at the Vita Angle Hotel, I liked it there. December 31st and New Year's Eve We spent it this way: we walked around Sol Square (the center of Madrid needs to be told about it separately), went to an unsuccessful restaurant, lit sparklers and wore a warm coat, unlike Barça, where jeans + a sweatshirt and sunglasses were the ideal dress code.
In the room we opened champagne, bought in a small store from a Chinese, we had jamon, baguette and amazing Philadelphia cheese, and tangerines with chocolate. For the future, I realized that if you are going somewhere for the New Year, you should take care in advance of the meeting place of this holiday. Options in Madrid: a random restaurant, which is what we did, we went to a restaurant at 11 pm, the only thing there that reminded us of the holiday was replacing the regular menu with another one, no, don’t think that there were special dishes, the same, but all the prices multiplied by 2. After sitting there for 30 minutes in the company of another Russian couple and several Chinese, watching TV in Spanish, we realized that it was better to celebrate at the hotel, where we had supplies and champagne. We went out into the street in anticipation of the fireworks, lit the sparklers brought from Moscow and were disappointed, there were maybe 20 salvos, the fireworks lasted about 1.5 minutes.
People dressed in wigs and funny headbands began to disperse from the central square; at one in the morning the square was empty. And now the most amazing thing is that at 9 am we went outside... and discovered that by Russian standards, there was no holiday. Broken glass? Dead streets? Drunk and cheerful company? No, we haven't heard. Well, there are no special decorations, slides, or Christmas trees in the city, one Christmas tree is more of a metal structure yellow was on the square. On the street at 9 am, half the shops were open, almost all the restaurants, there were a lot of people! No scale of celebrationJ We first walked to the Bank of Madrid and the museum quarter, Retiro Park. We went into a Catholic church, a service was going on there. We looked at the Prado Museum building. At this point it started to rain, my German Ugg boots began to get wet, we hurried to the room to change clothes. In general, the weather in Marida and Barcelona is very different, in Barcelona it was our September, with a pleasant +18, in Madrid it was November with +7 during the day and +1 at night, you will definitely need an umbrella here.
In the evening we went to the main street and found the Piazza di Spagna, and on it a monument to Cervantes (Don Quixote and Sancho Panza). About Place de Sol. It turned out very funny, we went far from our hotel and decided to also see the central square - de Sol, somehow according to the guidebook, with the help of asking the local population, we managed to get there, when we arrived we laughed for a long time! It turned out that this was the first place that we saw in Madrid, and we lived 5 minutes from it and celebrated the New Year there, but we never found out the name.
Comparing 2 Spanish cities, I will definitely give preference to Barcelona. Madrid is an interesting city, but Barça is a universe that you don’t want to leave. If I now divided my days between Madrid and Barcelona, then Madrid would have 2 days, no more.
We flew from Madrid to Iberia (which is also where we arrived), with registration itself, quite strange, but they didn’t charge us 60 euros for luggage and we saved, it was nice. In Barcelona we had an evening and half a night. We stayed in a hotel near the airport (however, a taxi to the airport cost us 32 euros!). And all taxi drivers are girls! Best Western Alpha Aeropuerto, 4 stars, high-tech room, but there is nothing at all near the hotel. The morning started at 3 o'clock, taxi, flight to Zurich.
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New Year in Spain: bright photos and videos, detailed description and reviews of the New Year event in Spain in 2020.
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The New Year in Spain cannot be called a family celebration; here it is a real national celebration. Here this holiday is celebrated in a special way, in accordance with the hot temperament and ardent disposition of the local residents.
It rarely snows here, but this does not lose the festive atmosphere at all - everything sparkles with multi-colored illuminations, shop windows and residential buildings are elegantly decorated, and the streets are full of cheerful and smiling people who love and know how to have fun.
It is not in the Spanish tradition to spend New Year's Eve with a sumptuous feast - a few light appetizers and one main course, sweets - that's all that can be seen on the Spaniards' New Year's table, and, of course, a lot of wine and champagne. A richer dinner with an abundance of festive dishes is usually arranged on the eve of Catholic Christmas.
In general, Spaniards are accustomed to celebrating the New Year very noisily and en masse in the main squares of cities around the New Year tree. Although many people prefer not to install a traditional coniferous tree at home, but buy a beautiful Christmas flower - poinsettia. This is probably why the local Santa Claus, known as Papa Noel or Olentzero, leaves gifts on the balcony.
And if in our country it is customary to drink sparkling wine when the chimes strike, then in Spain at this time you must have time to eat twelve grapes, which symbolize happy life throughout all twelve months of the coming year, and those who are lucky enough to have time to eat all the berries are guaranteed the fulfillment of their most cherished desire.
Although, according to Spanish belief, in order for wishes to really come true, you must wear new underwear on New Year’s Eve and certainly red. Also, in order to live happily next year, you need to eat one of the national delicacies - halva with nuts, dried fruits or chocolate, because since ancient times it was believed that it brings happiness and prosperity to the house.
A very interesting Spanish New Year's tradition is a kind of lottery - the names of all the boys and girls present are written on pieces of paper, then the bundles with the names are put into two baskets, separately for men and female names, after which everyone pulls out a package with the name of their companion or companion. Sometimes, in this way, couples are formed who subsequently tie themselves in marriage.
New Year celebrations often take place right on the street, everyone has a lot of fun, organizes various processions and carnivals, general dances - and all this is always accompanied by continuous fireworks and various pyrotechnic shows.
Each country has its own characteristics and traditions of celebrating winter holidays. Spain is no exception in this regard. In all cities and provinces, streets, shop windows, and residents' homes are decorated with various lights and Christmas trees are put up, which creates a festive mood for residents.
Christmas Eve is celebrated in Spain on December 24, the day before Christmas. This family holiday, like Christmas, so only family members gather at the table. According to established tradition, children sing songs and eat sweets that are laid out on the table.
Children also receive symbolic gifts. The pagan character "Caga tio" is not uncommon in Catalan homes. This log doesn't look normal. It has a human face, front legs and is covered with a blanket. Children either buy it or make it themselves. It is believed that if you take care of it, it will bring gifts.
Caga tió (Tió de Nadal)
At night, at two o'clock, all the people gather for the Rooster Mass (Misa de gallo). According to legends, it was the rooster who saw the birth of Christ first and then spread the news throughout the world.
When is Christmas celebrated?
Christmas is officially celebrated on December 25, but the celebration itself begins a little earlier. Christmas is an exclusively family holiday in Spain. Every family gets together, even the most distant relatives come. All houses, according to ancient custom, are illuminated with kerosene lamps. On Christmas night, the festive table is filled with numerous sweets and seafood. The main dish is turkey with mushrooms. And after dinner until the morning everyone has fun and sings Christmas songs at the tree.
Christmas traditions
The celebration of Hogueras is an ancient Spanish tradition of celebrating winter solstice. This is the shortest day of the year. In some regions, Spaniards jump over fires, and this is considered a ritual that protects against disease.
The most popular and important traditional symbol is, of course, the belen. It is shaped like a model that demonstrates the birth of Christ. It is a real decoration of the city and houses. All shops, offices, restaurants display their own henbane on public display. And the most beautiful Christmas compositions are located on the main square of each city. These are real works of art that reflect a piece of life. Now any store in Spain sells items for the construction of a henbane, and the material is very diverse. Therefore, each family has its own composition.
Every year, residents are entertained by fireworks shows, music, Christmas markets and traditional fairs. All this provides a special mood. In a town located in the province of Málaga, in Andalucía, Christmas is celebrated in flamenco style, with competitions and corresponding concerts. This is the most important cultural event. The tradition is not ancient. It arose quite recently. Residents enjoy performances by singers and dancers. And also, tasting of anise liqueur, dessert wine and locally produced baked goods.
Archena becomes a real medieval shopping center at Christmas. The market sells antique jugs, herbal mixtures, and wine tails. Clowns, witches and fortune tellers are an integral part. Residents seem to be transported back to the last century.
Every year on December 25, the first Sunday of January and January 6, the Fellowship of the Good Name of Jesus performs an unusual ritual in Caudete (Albacete province). On these days, dances are held “Reinado infantil” (“Children’s Kingdom”), then “Reinados adultos” (“Adult Kingdom”). The scene is Church Square. From the square, all the fun is transferred to the halls of the local Compars Association.
Residents of the town of Galisteo, located in the province of Caceres, have a slightly different Christmas experience. Members of the brotherhood, formed in 1662, perform an Act of Faith. The actors present to the audience only one “play” of the brotherhood. Preparations begin on the first Sunday in November. The director himself chooses the theme of the rehearsals. On Christmas Eve, at about 10 o'clock in the morning, the assistant steward appears on the street and beats the drum. Thus, he calls all the members of the brotherhood to the steward's house. There is already a cradle with the baby Christ there. All the brothers bow to the cradle. After a peculiar ceremony, they all collect Christmas alms. During the process they sing various songs. And on December 25, the manager treats all the brothers to lunch. In parallel, Carantolya, who personifies Herod, “scares” people on the street with his appearance. The performance of the “Sacred Act”, starting at 3 pm, brings the holiday to its logical conclusion.
Jerez, located in the province of Cadiz, amazes the city with New Year's illumination on the eve of Christmas. The Christmas program includes a market, competitions, and the Cotillion festival. The tradition is to sing hymns in honor of the Virgin Mary and the Child Christ accompanied by sambobo. This is an old noise instrument. Impromptu concerts are also held and songs are sung.
Vejer de la Frontera in the province of Cádiz has its own traditions. During the Christmas period, the town is simply filled with the sounds of sambobo. There is also a whitewashing competition among all residents and a screening of “Living Pictures of Bethlehem” is organized.
Spanish New Year's carols, or "", originated in the 13th century and spread to Spain in the 16th century. The term itself is associated with the word “villa” - village. That is, this suggests that songs originally originated in villages. In those days they were performed by peasants at various festivals and had absolutely nothing to do with Christmas. But already in the 19th century everything changed. These songs became associated with the birth of the baby Jesus.
December 28th is celebrated. It is an analogue of the Russian April 1st. The Spaniards are cheerful people, so they know how to joke with each other. On this day, newspapers publish various false advertisements and fountains are filled with soap foam. A standard joke is to stick a “monigote” figurine to the back of a friend. It is also popular to replace sugar with salt at the family table. This day, by the way, has a religious origin. According to Catholic traditions, this is the Day of Infant Martyrs. And it is celebrated in memory of the children who were beaten on the orders of Herod in Bethlehem.
When is New Year celebrated?
Celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1. It is public in nature, as all residents flock to the main squares of cities and wait for the chimes to strike. New Year in Spain is precisely this that differs from a quiet and family Christmas with the family. Of course, on New Year's Eve, the Spaniards have dinner with their family at home or in restaurants, but after that they always go out.
New Year traditions
The most famous tradition is the eating of 12 grapes, which must be eaten when the chimes strike. Grapes in Spain have long symbolized wealth, happiness and health. By the way, stores sell ready-made packages of grapes (12 pieces).
Red, which mostly symbolizes Spain, is also the color of choice for the New Year. It is believed that wearing red underwear will bring good luck and happiness in the New Year.
The Spaniards have one symbol called “Caganer” (“El Caganer”). This is not an ordinary figurine. It represents a man defecating, which turns out to symbolize good luck in the new year. It is believed that it thus fertilizes the earth.
San Juan de Beleño has its own peculiarity of celebrating the New Year. A mysterious figure collects New Year's offerings on January 1st from the people of Belegno. This figure is accompanied by 40 people on horses. "Girria" - main character, wearing pants white with red inserts, a cap on the head, and a bag of ash on the shoulders. With this bag he beats women who prevent him from approaching him. Every year "Girria" is different. And the face is revealed only at the end of the ritual.
Final holiday
The series of Christmas and New Year's holidays and traditions on January 6, which is the day. This is a children's holiday. There is a performance on the square with the participation of fairy-tale characters. According to traditions, children write a letter not to Santa Claus, but to the Three Wise Men.
During the holiday, you can also watch the procession in all cities of Spain. Kings on camels walk through the streets and scatter candies, and children and adults collect them. It is on this day that children receive long-awaited gifts. The procession itself begins around 7 pm and is broadcast on all central channels.
Christmas and new year traditions are numerous in Spain. Each town and province has its own, but the festive mood, brightly decorated streets and cheerful character of the Spaniards make the series of New Year's holidays unforgettable.
Religious and national holidays in Spain they take place almost constantly. In addition to numerous all-Spanish holidays, every city and region necessarily holds several local ones, for example, in honor of the patron saint of the city or some historical event of local significance.
Despite the fact that holidays in Spain take place all year round, the brightest and largest of them are celebrated in winter, namely in December.
Christmas in Spain
Christmas in Spain, or Navidad in Spanish, is not just a national holiday, but also the most significant day of the year for all Catholics, of whom the majority are Spaniards.
Christmas market in Madrid
As in many other European countries, Christmas in Spain celebrated on the night of December 24-25. This time is called Nochebuena, which means “good night.” Indeed, at Christmas, every Spanish city is surprisingly transformed. There is an atmosphere of friendliness and celebration all around.
Christmas traditions in Spain
For Spaniards, preparing for Christmas is a very responsible and serious matter, which is why it begins in November. The streets of the city, the windows of cafes and shops are decorated with garlands, New Year's decorations, elegant Christmas trees and henbanes - models that demonstrate the biblical scene of the birth of Christ. Also, Christmas markets are starting to open, where you can buy Christmas decorations, toys and gifts self made or try roasted chestnuts and other local delicacies and delicacies.
Typical New Year's Eve, birth of Christ Despite the fact that Christmas itself lasts only one night, the Spaniards begin to celebrate the holiday long before its official date. As a rule, one or two weeks before Nochebuena in Spain, festive dinners are held for friends and colleagues. Based on this, many cafes and restaurants offer visitors a Christmas menu in mid-December.
On Christmas Eve, all Spanish believers observe a strict fast for Christmas Eve, which ends with the appearance of the first star in the sky. After Christmas Eve, townspeople go to churches for Christmas mass, and after it the whole family gathers at the festive table.
Christmas treats, turron Christmas treats come in a wide range of varieties. Traditional dish considered turkey with mushrooms or seafood. In addition to numerous meat and fish dishes, national sweets are always present in abundance on the festive table: several types of local nougat - Turrón, halva, aniseed candies, marzipan and various cookies. Cava (from Spanish: Cava) - the Spanish equivalent of champagne - is served as a drink at the festive table.
Christmas in Spain is a special holiday, and of course, it’s not complete without fairy tale hero. In Spain, this is Papa Noel - an analogue of Santa Claus and Father Frost. It is worth noting that previously in Spain it was not customary to give gifts at Christmas, but soon this tradition came from the cultures of neighboring countries. Every year, children really look forward to Christmas, they prepare special festive decorated socks, where Papa Noel puts gifts or coals if the child has behaved badly during the year. In the Basque Country, the role of Papa Noel is played by the local character Olenzer.
New Year in Spain
Following Christmas still coming one big holiday - New Year. In Spanish, the New Year is called “Nochevieja”, which means “old night” - a holiday dedicated to seeing off the outgoing year.
How to celebrate New Year in Spain
New Year in Spain is slightly smaller than Christmas in scope, however, this holiday remains one of the brightest and most enchanting.
The main square of the country on New Year's Eve As a rule, the New Year in Spain is celebrated not at home, but on the street. Residents of all cities go to the main square, where they unfold New Year's performances, carnivals and competitions for children and adults.
Unlike Christmas, it is not customary to cook many dishes on New Year's Day. As a rule, Spaniards make do with light snacks, which they prepare at home or eat in a restaurant.
Regardless of the place of celebration, grapes are always present on the New Year's table in Spain - this is an unchanging tradition. At exactly midnight, when the clock begins to count down the last seconds of the old year, each Spaniard eats 12 grapes for each month of the next year and makes wishes. In Spain they believe that wishes made during the chiming clock will definitely come true in the new year.
Also, the Spaniards believe that a wish will definitely come true if you wear new red underwear for the New Year, and if you eat a sweet treat: turron, chocolate or dried fruit, happiness and prosperity will be brought to your home. New Year's Eve ends, like any Spanish holiday, with colorful fireworks.
Many Spaniards celebrate the New Year away from home, preferring to travel or spend the weekend on holidays, of which there are quite a lot here.
Undoubtedly, the Spaniards know a lot about relaxation and can turn any event into a noisy and happy holiday. Christmas and New Year in Spain will definitely give all guests of the country a lot of positive emotions and unforgettable impressions.
After the New Year, the series of holidays only increases, and about this in our other article -.
25.12.2016
Spain... The country of grandees and beautiful ladies, masterpieces of the brilliant Antonio Gaudi and amazingly delicious wines. Residents of such an amazing country probably know how to celebrate holidays in some unusual way, with their own “zest”. How do you celebrate New Year in Spain? Do they just sit down at the table, drink champagne and make a wish as the clock strikes? Let's take a look into the depths of centuries and find out what the traditions of celebrating the New Year are in Spain: how it used to be and what is happening now.
History of New Year's celebrations in Spain
Actually, the New Year as a separate holiday has not taken root in the country to this day. The Spaniards have long had a whole “combination of holidays”: they begin on December 25 with Christmas, then smoothly flow into the New Year and, finally, end on January 6 with the Day of the Magi (or Three Kings Day). It has long been customary to celebrate holidays noisily, with carnivals, lights and dancing.
New Year's Eve in modern Spain
Nowadays, Spaniards prefer to celebrate the holiday not at home, but among friends, in a circle of noisy fun. Christmas is celebrated with family, and for New Year they try to get together with friends and acquaintances. The streets are decorated, Christmas trees are put up, and garlands are hung in store windows. Spaniards' homes are also beautiful on New Year's days.
The owners decorate the Christmas tree or buy a flower with the romantic name “flor de navidad”, which means “Christmas flower”. Indeed, it is shaped like a star. The second name of the flower, much more famous among us, is poinsettia. On the eve of the holidays, store shelves begin to burst with sweets: marzipan, halva, aniseed candies. All this is purchased in large quantities.
The Spaniards prepare the New Year's table, create small gifts for friends and relatives: handbags called "cotillions", which are filled with various New Year's paraphernalia: masks, firecrackers, musical horns, confetti. After celebrating the New Year at home with champagne and wine, they head out into the streets to continue the festivities.
Spanish New Year's table
On the table that night there are certainly carabinieri (shrimp), melon with jamon (that is, melon cut into pieces with dry-cured pork ham), and tartlets. Seafood is given one of the first places on the festive table.
In addition, there is a dish with grapes, which are associated with a special tradition, so not a single New Year is complete without wine berries. You can also enjoy almond cakes and cumin cookies. Everything is delicious, fresh and just begs to be put into your mouth. On New Year's Eve, of course, they drink champagne and fine Spanish wine.
New Year traditions and customs in Spain
An ancient tradition is still alive in many places: to gather near churches at night and discuss a wide variety of events of the past year. Previously, during such “spontaneous meetings,” the Spaniards wrote different names on pieces of paper and mixed them in a special bag. Then those present took turns “pulling lots.” If you come across some Don Pedro, it means that he will be your date for the entire New Year's Eve, or even until the end of the holidays.
A very important tradition that is observed to this day: when the clock strikes twelve, you need to quickly eat 12 grapes. At the same time, it is advisable to make a wish. The Spaniards believe that following the custom will bring happiness that will last for the entire next year.
Another tradition is to organize processions and carnivals on holidays. True, most of them occur on the eve of the Day of the Magi (from January 5 to 6), but on the New Year itself you can observe something similar. Participants in the processions, festively dressed, throw candy and toys to the children welcoming them.
Spanish Santa Claus
Olentzero - that's their name. His middle name is Papa Noel. This comrade is no stranger to simple earthly joys: he goes from house to house with a bottle of good wine. A sad (but with a good ending) legend tells about the origin of Olnetzero. One day little boy, who had no parents, was placed into a childless family by a certain fairy. He grew up and began making toys.
And Olentzero had so many toys that the good man went to the poor children and gave them everything. Since then, the children have always been happy to wait for Olentzero and his gifts. But he died saving the kids from the fire. The same fairy performed magic: she revived Olentzero and turned him into a good wizard. Now before the New Year he gives gifts to the children.
In Spain, they love the New Year and approach its celebration in an extraordinary way. The Spaniards know: how you celebrate this holiday is how you live the whole year. Therefore, joy and noisy fun here do not stop until the morning.
