Happy 2014!

Fireworks during new year atmosphere in Prague, Czech Republick
** Note: Visible grain at 100%, best at smaller sizes

To celebrate the turn of 2014, we would like to share some New Year traditions from the various destinations around the world our Encore music groups can choose from. Happy New Year to all our choirs, orchestras, bands and ensembles travelling in 2014! It’s going to be a great year.

Edinburgh

At the celebration of Hogmanay it is traditional to visit family and friends after midnight with gifts of whisky, salt and coal. The first person to visit you house is considered to bring the luck for the year ahead, tall dark (handsome) men are considered to be the luckiest.

Madrid

In Spain it is traditional to eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, one for each strike of the clock. Families usually spend the evening together until midnight and then the younger generation head out into the night to celebrate until the sun rises. It is also traditional to wear red underwear!

Rome

Again it is traditional to wear red underwear but instead of grapes you should be eating lentil stew.

Riga

In Estonia it is traditional to eat 7, 9 or 12 meals, which are thought to bring you strength for the following year.

New York

Of course, you can’t forget about New York, the city 1 million people visit every year to see the ball drop. The dropping of the ball has been a tradition for over 100 years and this year it is predicted that over 1 ton of confetti will be dropped on New Year revelers.

Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, we wish you a very happy New Year and all the luck for 2014!

The post Happy 2014! appeared first on Backstage at Encore Tours.