August 11, 2016 16:26 Zurich - Switzerland, Madrid, Barcelona - Spain, Munich - Germany January 2014

This was the first New Year, which we met not at home, not in Russia and not at the festive table. The trip was active: 3 countries, 4 cities and 6 flights.

It all began on December 28 with a morning and very early flight from Moscow to Munich. In Munich, we had no more than 6 hours for a walk. Great praise for the railway transport in Germany, everything is very simple - you buy tickets from the machine, of course, you can choose the language quickly, and most importantly, clearly on the schedule, which is very important when viewing the city when you have a long flight connection. having arrived on the S-Bahn to the city center, we found ourselves in the central square of the city - Marienplatz, dark, uncrowded and dismantling all the Christmas beauty. About +7 degrees and very quiet. The town turned out to be very quiet, cozy, and, as it seemed to me, typical German. Nice, restrained, clean. We were very upset that all the decorations for Christmas had been dismantled on December 28, we knew that the fairs would end on December 24-25, but that absolutely everything was being removed was a surprise.

Due to the fact that we had only 6 hours, we could only see 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 is average, I generally realized that I do not like German and Austrian (Viennese) cuisine. All this cannot be compared with Czech cabbage and shank. Then we took the same S-Bahn train back to the airport, it turned out that only the back of the train goes there. We would have left in the other direction from the airport, if not for the caring Germans. They saw that we were with a suitcase (in Germany, amazingly cheap things were at the time of the exchange rate 1 euro \u003d 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 hastily run across with a new suitcase full of things.

I especially want to note the inspection at the airport, if the Italians do not care what you are taking there, where you are going and whether you are 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 these high-profile terrorist attacks in Europe, and they were still on the alert. We flew to Munich, and from it to Barcelona with Lufthansa, everything is very good, tasty, cozy, only they have scary landings, the plane seemed to fall on the ground both times.

Barcelona.

The second city was Barcelona, \u200b\u200bhere we stayed from the evening of 28 to 31 December. We arrived in the evening and wandered in the center for a very long time in search of our hotel near the Plaza de España. It turned out that the hotel was under our noses and we were just wandering. 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 is simply not visible. After walking around the square in the evening, and eating local food in Tapa-tapa (they have delicious potatoes with ham), we went to bed.

The morning began with breakfast, at the hotel we try not to take breakfast, it is rarely tasty and national food also no. Spaniards have very strange breakfasts. There are 2 options, or you will be offered a baguette (bun, panini, wherever) stuffed with tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, a little greens and ham, maybe with cheese, or you will be offered churros with hot chocolate. In general, I don't associate this food with breakfast, but churros deserve attention. These donuts are considered a national delicacy in Spain, in Barcelona they are often sold with a filling - white cream or chocolate, I have never met with a filling in Madrid. On all our trips, my husband and I love to wander around the city on our own, we can find it under 30 km a day.

Barcelona generally disposes to such walks, there is something to see and where to go. Besides, at the end of December, the weather is wonderful, it reminds me of our Moscow September in a good year. In the afternoon about + 18-20, in the evening 12-15. I even wet my feet in the sea and lay on the beach. From Plaza de España, we went to the fountain and up the Fira complexes to the observation deck. The city is stunning, perhaps one of the best that I have seen: warmth, sea, beach, palm trees, sun, blue sky and a view of tiled roofs, as well as a sea of \u200b\u200bflowers, palms, greenery and tangerines on the trees, this is a very incomplete characteristic of Barça. We really liked it near the port and on the embankment in general, we reached the Olympic rings, in the 90s there was an Olympics. Impression from fairytale citiesfrom which you do not want to leave.

But the Barcelona metro is something terrible, uncomfortable platforms, no decoration, water is pouring (!), Holes in the walls, and it's not cheap, besides, a zonal system, in which I have not figured out to the end. For 2 full days there we walked around the city from 2 different sides, saw Gaudí's Sagrada Familia, La Rumba boulevard, Plaza de España and Plaza Catalunya. We did not have time to get up on the lift, even in December there was a very long queue, the staff said, not less than 2 hours, but we did not have so much time for idle time, we wanted to see more. Anyway, you need to return to Barsa, preferably when the water is warm. Regarding the new year, in Europe it simply does not exist, there are few trees, there are even fewer decorations, in Moscow the holiday is felt much more. There were Christmas trees in Barcelona, \u200b\u200bthey were not removed until the New Year, as in Germany, but they look very strange against the background of palm trees. Usually in Moscow at the end of December I always have a festive, New Year's mood, in warm Spain it was not at all, it seemed to me that I was somewhere in September.

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In the afternoon of December 31, we moved to Madrid. Our flight lasted only 50 minutes, no complaints about Iberia. But the composition on the plane was cheerful, apparently, the families flew for the New Year, because there were only children and parents on the plane, many babies. I really love children, but when a wild cry does not stop for 50 minutes around you, and I feel sorry for them, but it's terrible. We stayed at the Vita Anglet Hotel, I liked it there. December 31 and new year's eve We spent this way: we walked around Sol Square (the center of Madrid should be told about it separately), went into an unsuccessful restaurant, burned sparklers and wore a warm coat, unlike Barca, 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 ham, 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 of the meeting place for this holiday in advance. Options in Madrid: a random restaurant, which we did, went to a restaurant at 23 o'clock, the only thing that reminded of the holiday was the replacement of the usual menu with another, no, don't think that the atm had special dishes, the same, but all prices multiplied by 2. After sitting there for 30 minutes in the company of another Russian couple and some 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 waiting for the fireworks, burned the sparklers brought from Moscow and disappointed, there were maybe 20 volleys, the fireworks lasted about 1.5 minutes.

People dressed in wigs and funny headbands began to disperse from the central square; at 1 am the square was empty. And now the most surprising thing is that at 9 in the morning we went out into the street ... and found that by Russian standards, there was no holiday. Broken glass? Extinct streets? Drunk and funny companies? No, you haven't heard. Well, and there are no special decorations, slides, trees in the city, there is only one tree - more likely a yellow metal structure was on the square. On the street at 9 am, half of the shops were open, almost all the restaurants, there were a lot of people! No scope of celebrationJ We walked first to the Bank of Madrid and the museum quarter, the Retiro Park. We went to a Catholic church, there was a service. We saw the building of the Prado Museum. At that moment it started to rain, my German ugg boots began to get wet, we hurried to the room to change. In general, the weather in Marida and Barcelona is sharply different, in Barcelona it was our September, with pleasant +18, in Madrid - November with +7 in the day and +1 at night, you will definitely need an umbrella here.

In the evening we went to the central street, and found the Plaza de España, and on it a monument to Cervantes (Don Quixote and Sancho Panza). About the Place de Sol. It turned out very funny, we went far from our hotel and decided to see also the central square de Sol, somehow according to the guide, with the help of questions from the local population, we managed to get there, when we came, 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 on it, but we did not recognize the name.

Comparing 2 Spanish cities, I would definitely prefer Barcelona. Madrid is an interesting city, but Barça is a universe that you don't want to leave. If I were now dividing the days between Madrid and Barcelona, \u200b\u200bthen Madrid would have got 2 days, no more.

We flew from Madrid to Iberia (we also flew in), with the registration itself, rather strange, but they did not charge us 60 euros for luggage and we saved, it was nice. In Barcelona we had an evening and an incomplete 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 Aeroperto, 4 stars, high-tech room, but there is nothing near the hotel at all. The morning started at 3 o'clock, taxi, flight to Zurich.

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The Spaniards love holidays very much, and they usually celebrate them on a grand scale. Christmas and New Years in Spain turn into one big fiesta, which starts in early December and ends on January 6 on Kings Day. The Spaniards prepare for each stage very carefully, and how it all starts - read our first article on the Christmas theme. And in this one we will talk about:

1. why the Spaniards are rightly considered the biggest "spenders" and how to effectively spend the "New Year's stash";
2. where you can admire the revived pages of the Bible;
3. what to stock up on for Christmas and new Year's table;
4. what will help to fulfill 12 cherished New Year's wishes;
5. who brings gifts to Spanish kids and how to get to the royal reception.

How much is the holiday

Statistics rightly state that the Spaniards are perhaps the biggest spenders in the world! Their expenses for pre-holiday chores this year will amount to 682 euros. They are quite a bit inferior to the Danish leaders - just some 7 euros. But they are significantly ahead of the more prosperous Europeans, who, on average, are willing to spend more modestly - by 517 euros.

A third of the amount, 262 euros, will go towards gifts. It is customary to give them not only to relatives, friends and relatives. Gifts for children are generally a separate topic. Colleagues and colleagues will not be ignored. Each leader considers it his honorable duty to please his subordinates. For them, as a rule, Christmas baskets are ordered from special catalogs. Depending on the size of the donor, there will be a lot of goodies and drinks for the New Year's table. A very practical and pleasant gift.

To this same expense item should be added spending on Christmas parties, which start 2 weeks before the official holiday date.

This is the “bread time” for local bars and restaurants. Cheerful campaigns sit up until the morning, tables are bursting and wines are pouring in. Every entrepreneur is sure that his generosity on Christmas days will turn into profit and the development of the company in the coming year.

The second item of expenses is New Year's delicacies. The Spaniards, as famous gluttons, are ready to fork out € 198.

The remaining 2 hundred will be spent on entertainment and travel.

And where do the Spaniards go to realize their "holiday stashes" with sense and pleasure? To the Christmas markets that sprout like mushrooms in the open air all over Spain.

We advise you to follow their example. After all, here you can "kill" three birds with one stone! Buy gifts, feast on hot chestnuts, stock up on festive treats, and have fun. Painted wooden houses where smiling vendors dressed as Santa offer souvenirs and handicrafts from local craftsmen. Riding ponies and donkeys, swing roundabouts, bands and clowns, costume processions. For children, artificial skating rinks are opened even where ice and frost have not been seen.

The charge of fun and cheerfulness will be enough for all the holidays!

Christmas in Spanish - Noche Buena

Christmas is a special day of the year. Wherever he lives or is on duty, a true Spaniard is ready to give up all business and rush to his native nest. This ubiquitous holiday mood gets in the way of business life. Therefore, we do not recommend scheduling serious issues in December. On December 24, offices have a short working day, shops, bars, restaurants close earlier than usual. You can probably only dine with the Chinese. The rest - a hut on a stick. On Christmas Eve, the whole family - from nursing babies to the elderly - should gather at the home festive table.

It's cozy family celebration: the most expensive and delicious dishes on the table, mountains of sweets, henbane lights, gifts in bright packaging under the Christmas tree. The table is noisy and fun. The Spaniards are a melodious people, so the villancicos know Christmas carols by heart and sing in chorus with pleasure.

At 21 o'clock - TV channels throughout the country broadcast the congratulations of His Highness - King of Spain Felipe. At midnight, the solemn Christmas service begins in the churches - Misa de gallo. Translated into Russian, "the mass of the rooster", reminds that it was the morning rooster's cry that told the world the news of the birth of Christ. It is also customary for the whole family to attend Mass. Well, then everyone returns to the interrupted fun, which lasts until the morning. This is how the Spaniards spend the Holy Night - Noche Buena.

But this is only the middle of the winter marathon. Ahead is the New Year's holiday. In Spain it is called "Old Night" - Noche Vieja.

Culinary Christmas and new Year traditions

A plentiful festive meal is a guarantee of well-being in the coming year. The Spaniards sincerely believe in this and make substantial food supplies, although their value is steadily increasing. After all, you have to sit down at the festive table at least 3 times.

In addition to Christmas dinner, they will have a New Year's meal and get-togethers on Kings Day.
There is no obligatory festive meal. Rather, each region has its own culinary traditions: from stuffed turkey and leg of lamb, to baked sea bream or eel. However, there are purely New Year's delicacies that will certainly appear in every home. These are all kinds of seafood - lobsters, crabs, langoustines, Spanish dry-cured ham - jamon and, of course, Christmas sweets. Most of them are the heritage of the Moorish culinary arts.

Spanish housewives do not bother with homemade pastries and willingly buy factory delicacies: marzipans, polvarons, turrons. Turrón - sweet tiles based on crushed nuts, honey and eggs. Turrón Duro - firm, reminiscent of our kozinaki, only with almonds. Turrón Blando - soft, like halva. The confectionery factories in Alicante and Gijon work hard for several months a year to provide the whole country with New Year's dessert.

"The grape of luck" or how the Spaniards celebrate the New Year

If Christmas is an event for a purely family circle of people, then the Spaniards go to celebrate the New Year “to the people”. They gather in large friendly campaigns or book a table in restaurants, where a special menu and a festive program are prepared for this occasion.

Climax new Years celebration becomes a global flash mob. Exactly at midnight, under the chimes, the whole country eats 12 grapes. And you need to have time to make a wish and after 3 seconds go to the next berry and preferably not choke. Those who failed to get to the main square of the country, Puerta del Sol in Madrid, join the annual ritual thanks to the television broadcast.

This tradition is believed to attract wealth, happiness and health throughout the year in this distinctive way. However, the background to the story is purely commercial. Enterprising farmers from Vinolopo (province of Alicante), who received an unprecedented harvest in 1909, in order not to waste the excess of fruit, rushed to the capital on New Year's Eve. Distributing grapes free of charge, they inspired the “warmed up” Madrid citizens with the idea of \u200b\u200bthe magical effect of the “grapes of luck”. The tradition quickly took root, retail chains offer ready-made packages and even tin cans with 12 grapes for the holiday.

You also need to stock up on a bottle of Cava (Spanish champagne) and drink a glass of frothy wine right on the square, clinking glasses with everyone around you and wishing them "Feliz año nuevo" - "Happy New Year!" Around the roar of firecrackers, fiery spray of fireworks.

The fun lasts until dawn. Moreover, in the morning of the new year, you should have breakfast with hot chocolate, dipping crispy churros (a Spanish donut) there.

Who brought us gifts?

The kids outside the Spanish kingdom have cause for envy. After all, their Spanish peers receive gifts several times during the festive marathon.

This is probably why a whole team of wizards performs the honorable mission of donors. Moreover, the twin brother of Santa Claus, who is called here Papá Noel, does not play the first violin. Here the rosy-cheeked bearded man in a red cap is considered an "overseas stranger." And parents suspect that it is he who provokes dear children into a festive shopaholia. Meticulous sociologists have calculated that there are an average of 10 gifts for every child's soul.

Much nicer to the Spaniards are their homegrown characters. In the Basque Country and Navarre, they greet Olentzero noisily and cheerfully. A good-natured coal miner, stained with soot, a merry fellow and a lover of a glass - closer and dearer than the impeccable Santa. He comes down from the mountains to tell the joyful Christmas news and to please the children with gifts.

In Catalonia, with blows of a stick, Christmas delicacies are knocked out of the Caga Tió log, which you can read about in the special article "Christmas traditions of Catalonia". Mythical forest creatures in green fur caps - Iratxoak give gifts to children in the province of Vizcaya.

On Christmas and New Year's Eve, Galician Santa Claus - Apalpador (Apalpador) sneaks into children's bedrooms. He feels the babies' tummies to make sure they are eating well, and leaves roasted chestnuts under the pillow. In Cantabria, the woodcutter Esteru is the honorary donor.

Tio de Nadal - Christmas log bringing gifts in Catalonia

A wonderful country, the warmest in Europe. It is here that the most incendiary, cheerful, cheerful people are. By purchasing tours to Spain for the New Year 2018,you will see carnivals, various festivals, concerts, large-scale events right on the streets of the country. The Spaniards celebrate the New Year in the open air on a large scale, as they are madly in love with the holidays. Celebrations in the country begin on December 25th. In Spain, the locals call New Year's Eve "Old Night". They are carefully preparing for this holiday. Of course, it is unlikely that you will see snow here, but you will admire other sights that you will remember for a long time in your memory and leave unforgettable emotions. Tired of celebrating the New Year in front of the TV screen with a cup of Olivier, then go to travel to the fabulous country of Spain.

New Year traditions of the Spaniards

The Spaniards have an ancient and very beautiful tradition: when the chimes are struck, it is necessary to eat twelve grapes, one with each ringing. This ritual can be performed on the square of any city in the country where there is a huge clock. For the Spaniards, grapes symbolize wealth and prosperity.

Well, what is New Year without a tree? But the Spaniards prefer the poinsettia flower more than this tree. The fact is that this unusually beautiful plant blooms on Christmas Eve, and therefore many local residents associate the New Year with this particular flower.

As in other countries, children in Spain believe in Santa Claus, they only call him Olentzero. This is the same grandfather with a beard, only in traditional Spanish clothes and with whiskey in his hands. Olentzero leaves gifts not in shoes, but on the windowsill.

On the festive table there are various seafood and fish dishes, pies, tartlets, sandwiches, caraway cookies, almond cakes and much more, which the hostesses prepare with all their hearts. A good tasty wine is sure to be present on the table, since Spain is famous for its winemaking.

Young people strive to wear red outfits and masks. It is believed that this color symbolizes good luck.

At midnight, people in the squares congratulate each other on the holiday. Even a stranger can give you a little trifle as a present. These are the friendly and hospitable people in Spain.

Where to go during the New Year holidays?

By choosing new Year tours in Spain you can visit the main square of Madrid, Puerta del Sol and the Plaza Mayor. For spiritual relaxation, you can choose the Prado National Museum, which contains about 60,000 paintings. If you like to visit museums, there are a huge number of them. Among them are the famous Reina Sofia Museum, the National Archaeological Museum and others. Many will be surprised, but tourists go in droves to the Atocha railway station for an excursion. The fact is that on the territory of the station there is a gorgeous greenhouse, which contains many types of tropical plants.

With children, you can visit the zoo and aquarium. However, this pleasure is not cheap. The cost of an adult ticket is 23 euros, a child ticket - 18.5 euros.

Prices for New Year's tours to Spain 2018

Finding for the New Year is almost impossible, so you need to take advantage of the early booking promotion. These actions are needed in order to save your finances and spend them on the right track. You can also choose the hotel or apartment that suits you best and is close to historical sites. The cost of a tour for two for a week will cost you about 70,000 rubles. Accommodation in a three-star hotel, meals and excursion program are included in the tour price.

New Year

New Year in Spain is a great solution for people who want to celebrate it in a warm climate, but at the same time in Europe. TEZ TOUR guarantees: this is exactly what you need! Even in Catalonia in winter, the air can warm up to +20 degrees. And even more so in Andalusia, which looks at hot Africa through Gibraltar.

In Spain, you can have a wonderful Christmas vacation. This cheerful southern people - lovers of siesta - know a lot about the holidays. They walk here for a whole month, starting from December 6, when Constitution Day is celebrated, which flows into the holiday of the Immaculate Conception (December 8). Christmas is preceded by noisy fairs. Next comes Nochebuena Christmas Eve.

On December 28, the Spaniards have April Fools' Day, just like our April Fool's Day - with funny jokes and practical jokes. After a little rest, they celebrate the New Year. And Epiphany (Bethany) crowns a series of winter holidays. All holidays are celebrated very violently. Spaniards do not like to sit at home at the table. They take to the streets, arrange bright costumed carnivals, festive processions, and have fun day and night. So you have a great opportunity to get into this merry festive whirlpool.

Sitting at home on New Years (Ano Nuevo) is considered bad form here. Only a festive dinner is held with the family. And then on the square - have fun! The Spaniards have their own wonderful traditions, which you can also join to feel the spirit and taste of Spain.

The main festive square in Spain is Puerta del Sol in Madrid. On New Year's Eve (Noche vieja), here, as in Italy, it is customary to eat 12 grapes at each beat of the clock, making wishes - one for each month of the new year. But, unlike Italians, in Spain they take the issue very seriously. These twelve grapes are even sold pre-packed in local stores.

This tradition is almost 100 years old, and it comes from the times when in a year of especially rich harvest the king ordered to distribute grapes to all Spaniards. This is a whole ritual. You need to have time to eat a grape every 3 seconds after each stroke of the clock. Moreover, the bones must be spit out before the clock strikes. And then your wishes will certainly come true. So, if you decide to celebrate the New Year in Spain - practice!

The Spaniards throw everything that is not eaten in different directions (here they generally love to scatter different products), drink champagne, sing and dance, rattle firecrackers, sprinkle each other with streamers and confetti! The festivities continue until five in the morning, after which the Spaniards go to a cafe to drink hot chocolate, eating churros.

Another tradition in Spain was born relatively recently - to celebrate the New Year only in red lingerie. And then he will be sure to be happy and successful. Add the grapes you have eaten here - and you will understand that it cannot be otherwise! And young people love to arrange New Year's fortune-telling. The names of the guys and girls are written on the leaves, and they are put in two baskets. Then each one pulls out a piece of paper, recognizing the name of his other half. So, if you haven't met your destiny yet, you definitely need to go to Spain!

Even Santa Claus is unusual in this amazing country. His name is papa Noel, he is dressed in a national costume, he is holding a bottle of Cava in his hands, and he leaves gifts right on the balconies.

Once in Spain, it is a sin not to visit other cities. Barcelona, \u200b\u200bToledo, Segovia, Valencia, Granada and many others are waiting for you. Each of them has its own flavor and its own unique charm. If you want snow, it's also not a question: go to the Sierra Nevada ski resort.

You will bring a lot of impressions from Spain, and a piece of your soul will remain in this warm, southern, beautiful country to which you want to return again and again!

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, houses of residents with various lights are dressed up, Christmas trees are placed, which creates festive mood.

Christmas Eve is celebrated in Spain on December 24, the day before Christmas. This is a family holiday, like Christmas, so only family members gather at the table. Traditionally, children sing songs and eat sweets on the table.

Children also receive symbolic gifts. The pagan character "Caga tio" is not uncommon in Catalan homes. This log looks unusual. 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 Mass of the Rooster (Misa de gallo). According to legends, it was the rooster who saw the birth of Christ first and then spread such 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. Each family gets together, even the most distant relatives come. All houses, according to the ancient custom, are lit with kerosene lamps. On Christmas night, the festive table is filled with numerous sweets and seafood. The main dish is mushroom turkey. And after dinner, until the morning, everyone has fun and sings Christmas songs by the tree.

Christmas traditions

The celebration of Hogueras is an old Spanish tradition of celebrating winter solstice... This is the shortest day of the year. In some regions, the Spaniards jump over bonfires, and this is considered a ritual that protects against disease.

The most popular and important traditional symbol is, of course, henbane. It has the form of a mock-up that showcases the birth of Christ. It is a real decoration of the city and houses. All shops, offices, restaurants put 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, Andalucía, Christmas is celebrated in flamenco style, with contests and related concerts. This is the most important cultural event. The tradition is not old. It arose quite recently. Residents enjoy performances by singers and dancers. And also, tasting of anise liqueur, dessert wine and local pastries.

Archena becomes a real medieval trading point at Christmas. The market sells old jugs, mixtures of herbs, fat tail for wine. Clowns, witches, and fortune tellers are essential attributes. The inhabitants seem to be in the last century.

Every year on December 25, the first Sunday of January and January 6, the Brotherhood of the Good Name of Jesus conducts an unusual ritual in Caudete (Albacete province). On these days there are dances “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.

The people of Galisteo, in the province of Caceres, have a slightly better Christmas experience. The members of the fraternity, formed in 1662, perform the Act of Faith. The actors present to the audience only one "play" of the brotherhood. Preparations begin on the first Sunday in November. The manager himself chooses the theme of the rehearsals. On Christmas Eve, around 10 am, the assistant steward appears on the street and beats a drum. Thus, he calls all members of the fraternity to the steward's house. There is already a cradle with the baby Christ. All brothers bow to the cradle. After a kind of ceremony, they all collect Christmas alms. In the process, they sing various songs. And on December 25, the steward treats all the brothers to dinner. At the same time, Karantolla, who personifies Herod, "scares" people on the street with his appearance. The performance of the "Sacred Act", which begins at 3 pm, brings the holiday to its logical conclusion.

Jerez, located in the province of Cádiz, hits the city with New Year's illumination on the eve of Christmas. The Christmas program includes a market, contests, the Cotillion holiday. It is a tradition to perform hymns to the glory of the Virgin Mary and the Child Christ, accompanied by sambobo. This is an old noise instrument. There are also impromptu concerts and songs 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 whitewash competition among all residents and a show of "Live Pictures of Bethlehem".

New Year's Spanish carols, or "", originated in the 13th century and spread to Spain in the 16th century. The term itself is associated with the word "villa" - a village. That is, it suggests that the songs were originally born in the 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 28 is celebrated. It is analogous to Russian on April 1. The Spaniards are cheerful people, so they know how to joke with each other. On this day, newspapers publish various false announcements, and fountains are filled with soap suds. A common joke is the sticking of a "monigote" figure to the back of a familiar figure. 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 by Herod's orders in Bethlehem.

When is New Year's Day

Celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1. It is of a public nature, since all residents flock to the main squares of cities and await the chimes. This is what makes New Year's Eve in Spain different from a quiet and family Christmas with the family. Of course, on New Year's Eve, the Spaniards dine with their families at home or in restaurants, but after that, they definitely go outside.

New Year traditions

The most famous tradition is eating 12 grapes, which must be eaten with the chimes. Grapes in Spain have long symbolized wealth, happiness and health. By the way, the stores sell ready-made packages of grapes (12 pieces).

Red, which symbolizes most of Spain, is also the preferred color for New Years. It is believed that 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. She represents a defecating little man who, as it turns out, symbolizes good luck in the new year. It is believed that he thus fertilizes the earth.

San Juan de Beleño has its own New Year celebration. A mysterious figure collects New Year's offerings on January 1 from the population of Belegno. This figure is accompanied by 40 people on horseback. "Girria" - the main character, dressed in white pants with red accents, a cap on his head, and a bag of ash on his shoulders. With this bag he beats women who prevent them from approaching him. Every year Girria is different. And the face is revealed only at the end of the ritual.

The final holiday

The series of Christmas and new year holidays and traditions on January 6, which is the day. This is a children's holiday. A performance with the participation of fairy-tale characters is taking place on the square. According to tradition, 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 in Spain. Kings on camels walk the streets and scatter candy, while children and adults collect them. It is on this day that children receive long-awaited gifts. The procession itself begins at about 7 pm and is broadcast on all central channels.

Christmas and New Year traditions in Spain are plentiful. In every town and province they are different, but the festive mood, brightly decorated streets and the cheerful character of the Spaniards make the series of New Year's holidays unforgettable.