New Year celebrated in Ecuador and Paris

The New Year is synonymous with a beginning, to leave behind many things and start another. In Ecuador, this date is known as New Year's Eve this day collects customs and across the country. So there are many beliefs and practices among Ecuadorians to the end, they are superstitions, but filled with hope and are a good time to share with family or friends.

New Year's Eve in Paris, the most romantic city in Europe

New Year's Eve the city of lights increases its lighting making it even more romantic. The Champs Elysées is where Parisians come together to welcome the New Year and enjoy the light show of the Eiffel Tower and fireworks.

In Paris it is forbidden to burn monigotes but you can enjoy dinners and shows costumes.

Origin of New Year

The Year has not always begun the first of January. The celebration of the new year is given from the first of January de1583 in Catholic countries. Pope Gregory XIII was who imposed this change, since until then the new year is usually held in March.

The new year was closely related to agricultural activity and in those days the period between planting and harvest marked a year or cycle.

The ancient Roman calendar considered on March 25 as the day of the new year. In 46 BC, Julius Caesar created the Julian calendar.

The celebration of New Year responds to religious or cultural traditions.

New Year dinner

New Year's Eve is a family celebration that takes place at home and not in a bar or party.

In Ecuador at midnight, people begin to eat grapes. You eat one for each chime of the clock, (twelve in total). They must eat the grapes before the start of the new year, who eat twelve grapes, supposedly will have twelve months of good luck for him coming year.

After talking about the purpose and enjoying the year-end dinner.

Traditions and activities

The year-end celebration is performed in all cities of Ecuador

In Quito, people crowd to witness the competition of old. Cuenca and Guayaquil people roam the neighborhoods.

The generally politicians, corruption, sports or social, entertainment, topics are explained with captions.

The Old Year is a puppet representing the past year, made from old clothes, cardboard or paper, stuffed with straw or sawdust and often with pyrotechnics, to be burned at midnight on December 31.

Incineration at midnight December 31 is a purification ritual to ward off bad luck and transitional because the new year is also celebrated.

The Widow is a man dressed in women's clothing, requesting financial aid to burn the old.