The tropical South American country of Venezuela celebrates New Year on January 1 according to Georgian calendar.
Being considered as an important festival as well as time of the year, New Year is celebrated with great spectacle and display by the natives of Venezuela.
The high-energy celebrations, in the light of the traditions and customs of Venezuela make it a different experience for everyone who is participating in it. The popularity of New Year celebrations made in Venezuela is immense, and this is the reason behind why people from different corners of the world arrive in this tropical country during the New Year’s time.
New Year Celebrations in Venezuela
During the time of New Year, the entire Venezuela gets into a party mood. To make it look like a big party stage, the entire of Venezuela, including its markets, streets, shopping centers, and business centers are covered up with vibrant colors and lights. Other than that, some real lively parties go on in different parts of the country, with some of them also acting as hosts for rock concerts, live music shows, music choirs, and live band performances. With midnight getting closer and closer, all street parties, as well as parties going on in clubs, bars, and discotheques reach at their intense best.
Other than those coming out of their houses and participating in social New Year celebrations, there are some who prefer to stay at home while being glued to television set or a radio station. Most of the people watch or hear the live telecast of the countdown of the New Year. Other than that, there is a tradition of broadcasting songs expressing sadness at the end of the year. As soon as midnight arrives, everyone cheers out loud, and wish everyone with good luck and New Year wishes for the coming time. The Cathedral of Caracas located in the Caracas city has a tradition of ringing twelve bells at that moment.
Craft fairs organize during the time draw large amount of visitors, in particularly those looking to explore the cultural and traditional aspects of the country. These craft shows display exquisite works of local arts, which are loved by many. For the fact, there is a great demand for these locally manufactured products among the foreign as well as local tourists, much because of their high quality, great creativity sense, and astonishing beauty. These craft shows also serve great food belonging to the local and South American cuisines.
Traditional New Year Celebrations in Venezuela
Traditionally, the New Year celebrations made in Venezuela are very much similar to the celebrations made in other South American countries, and the European country of Spain. Most of the traditions followed during the time are believed to confer its practitioner with good luck in the coming time. Some of the prominent traditions include wearing red underwear, which is believed to confer one with a love partner in the coming year. Similarly, wearing yellow underwear is believed to confer one with deep contentment in New Year.
There is another tradition of having a high value bill, which is believed to confer one with wealth and prosperity in the coming New Year. There is another prominently followed tradition of moving out of the house with some luggage in hand on New Year’s Eve. Also, people write wishes o piece of papers, and then burn them with a hope that they get fulfilled in the coming year.