The clock has ticked past midnight in every time zone around the world and we are now in a New Year. When New Years came through Chattanooga, Tennessee, champagne flutes were toasted, lovers kissed, and fireworks shot into the sky. Many people in Chattanooga were probably watching college football, too (American college football, that). As families wake up on New Years’ Day, it’s likely many of them will have some black-eyed peas with their lunch or supper, a common New Year good fortune food around here.
But what about our sister cities all over the world? What might they have been doing as we entered a new year?
Learning about holiday celebrations in another country can open up your worldview in huge way. It will help you gain appreciation for your own traditions and give insight into the traditions of communities abroad.
Let’s begin with ACCRA, GHANA!
Our friendship city Accra, Ghana is all about celebrating the holiday season, which most Ghanians call the ‘festive season’. Traditional festivals, Fireworks, Holiday decor, and family gathered to share popular dishes like jollof rice, fu fu and various stews and savory soups.
A term that comes from the country’s most commonly-spoken language AKAN is 'AFISHAPA' which means Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
#Accra #Sistercities #Diversity #Inclusion #Ghana #Africa #Culture
Then, let’s celebrate with our friends in Hamm, Germany and Gangneung, Republic of Korea!
New Year’s Day in Germany is called Neu Jahr and is recognized as a national holiday. Bleigie Ben a type of fortune telling, is a popular activity on this day. Our friends use this traditional form of ‘tin pouring’ to predict what will happen in the new year. Sauerkraut is also a popular food eaten on this day for good luck.
Our friends in Gangneung celebrate the New Year referred to as the LUNAR YEAR (SEOLLAL). The Lunar year always last 3 days. The day before the New Year, day of and day after. Traveling to visit family, feasts and paying respect to ancestors are important during the Lunar Year season. Playing #yutnori is a popular tranditional game played today and enjoyment of the savory taste of rice cake soup is served to symbolize good health and long life.
Fano’s Feast of Seven Fishes is a popular tradition around the holidays. A tradition originated in Southern Italy. This grand meal takes place after a day of fasting before Christmas. This tradition commentates the wait, the Vigilia di Natale, for the midnight birth of baby Jesus. Learn more about #italiantradition
Our friends in Givatayim gathered to celebrate the beautiful holiday referred to as Hanukkah, also called Feast of Dedication. Lights, festivals and enjoying family for 8 days. Learn more about #Hanukkah
Wolfsburg is known for more than its rich history, big car plants, and the great Autostadt a sort of automotive museum, our friends celebrate the holidays with festivals in the city, parties and fireworks. Silvester or New Years Eve in Germany means the country explodes in celebrations. Fondue is also a popular food eaten on this day. Learn more #wolfsburggermany
In Nizhny Tagil our friends spend holiday season gathered on Theater Square. Enjoying friends and family. Novy God is the Russian phrase for New Year. New Year’s Eve is similar to Christmas and gifts are exchanged and New Year’s Eve trees are decorated and displayed. Learn more #nizhnytagil
In Wuxi, even though the Chinese New Year is January 22nd this year, launching Spring festival, the Gregorian New Year is still celebrated. You can expect fireworks in cities like Shanghai and Beijing, plenty of shopping deals and a national day off on January 1st. Learn more #chinesenewyear
Tono is full of amazing holiday traditions. The rich culture of the many people of Tono involves food & gatherings. A unique way of celebrating New Year’s Eve is eating toshikoshi soba and watching the sunrise in the morning called #Hatsuhinode
Oh! We can’t forget the wonderful tradition of New Years Resolutions! How about a resolution to learn more, connect with, and maybe even VISIT our sister cities. Remember, our world is one big family. Our differences are special, and our bonds help make for a more peaceful and abundant world for all. Be a great Chattanoogan this year! Maybe that also means be a great world citizen.