December 29, 2007

10... 9... 8... The lighted ball in New York’s Times Square starts picking up speed. 7... 6... 5... It’s almost time. 4... 3... 2... Everyone holds their breath for the last few seconds. We’re about to jump that seemingly large but invisible gap that separates the years. 1... 0... Happy New Year!

In another couple of days, the old year will be gone and the New Year will begin with new hopes and new promises. Let’s take the following quiz to find out how the new year is celebrated by people belonging to different cultures around the world.

QUESTIONS

1. When do the Chinese celebrate their New Year?
2. When did the first New Year’s Eve Ball Drop ceremony in New York’s Times Square take place?
3. What is the Jewish New Year called?
4. What does “Auld Lang Syne” mean?
5. Where are one of the largest annual New Year’s Eve celebrations held?
6. How many fireworks are set off from the Sydney Harbour Bridge?
7. How do they celebrate the New Year in Edinburgh, UK?
8. What occurs during Watch Night services?
9. Name the most popular New Year’s Day parade.
10. In some countries what do they do with Christmas trees on New Year’s Day?
11. In which city is a countdown done with an elevator?
12. In which countries is New Year’s Eve a public non-working holiday?
13. What is known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival?
14. In the ancient Roman calendar when did the New Year begin?
15. When was the first New Year holiday observed?
16. What New Year tradition began in Greece around 600 BC?
17. In which country do they eat 12 grapes as the clock strikes midnight (one each time the clock chimes) on New Year’s Eve?
18. In which country do people who want to travel take a suitcase and carry it around the house on New Year’s Eve?
19. In which country do people wear white clothes in order to have good luck during the New Year?
20. What happens shortly before midnight, on New Year’s Eve, in Japan?

ANSWERS

1. On the second new moon after the winter solstice.
2. 1907.
3. Rosh Hashanah.
4. Times gone by.
5. Sydney, Australia.
6. Over 80,000 fireworks.
7. People gather for large organized street party.
8. Hymns are sung and prayers offered in a rededication of God.
9. Tournament of Roses.
10. Make Bonfires with them.
11. Seattle.
12. Argentina, Brazil, Germany, the Philippines, and Venezuela.
13. The Chinese New Year.
14. March 1
15. In ancient Babylon about 4,000 years ago.
16. Using a baby to signify the New Year.
17. Spain.
18. Venezuela.
19. Brazil.
20. Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times.