At this point, I'm sure that we are all wide awake after New Year's Eve. Some of us even started work, and some of us are coming to grips with the new year, eager to find out what it will bring. I had my first walk in town since last year (wow, how does that sound?!), and, after the image of a deserted city around lunchtime, early afternoon saw the streets of Bucharest packed mostly with foreign tourists. Therefore, if next year it will be your turn, this is what you should know if you are planning to spend New Year's Eve in Romania.
One thing that I noticed lately, compared to my own childhood and adolescence, is that many people don't pay as much importance to New Year's Eve celebrations as they used to. Yep, even amongst people younger than me! In the past, it used to be THE top celebration of the year, the one that everyone looked forward to. I remember that in the '90s, or early '00s, we used to dress up like for a wedding, or almost.
So, you have various options...
1. Attend the concert in the city's main square - a dynamic option especially available for more important cities. Sing, dance, mingle, and watch the fireworks. Don't focus on being elegant, but do wrap up warm, as the weather is often unpredictable this time of year. Bring your own champagne!
2. Go to an organized party, at a restaurant, club or disco. Keep in mind that this is the most expensive option, expect to pay even more than 100 euros per person. But meals with several courses, drinks, and lots of music and dancing will be included. Also, beware of the dress code. Some places organize even themed parties, so if that's your thing, and if your budget allows, by all means go for it.
3. Head for a mountain resort. This is especially applicable if you like snow and skiing. There is a caveat though: traffic will be an utter nightmare, and hotels and chalets will be extra-crowded. This is why I'd be skeptical to go for that option. I did it about twice in this life, and it was more than enough!
4. My personal favourite: have a party with friends or family gathering at home, yours or someone else's in your circle. Here, you can do whatever you want. Dress as casually or as smartly as you like, eat only as much as your stomach allows, play the music you like, dance, watch TV, play board games, and, most of all, spend quality time with the people who matter the most, although perhaps only a maximum of 10-20, according to how much space allows.
But no matter what you do, keep in mind the following:
... wear something new, at least something you purchased during the year that is about to end. This way, you will renew yourself also in the year to come.
... the New Year's Eve dinner will comprise a bit of everything: traditional dishes, fancy dishes, starters, fish, meat, drinks - alcoholic and non, and of course, desserts and fruit. And last but not least, champagne to toast at midnight.
... have mistletoe in the house, hung to the chandellier. It's not as much as a thing for couples to get lovey-dovey, but it is said that it brings prosperity in the new year.
... don't be weirded out if you see people dressed as bears or goats, or carrying a whip, and making a lot of noise on the streets. It's part of a popular ritual which some people saw fit to transmute from the country side to the cities as well! :)
... a tradition for children, rarely ever kept these days, is the sorcova. Said children of the family used to touch everyone around with a branch full of coloured flowers (made of paper or fabric), reciting a poem wishing them to "live and flourish, like an apple tree, like a pear tree, like a branch of roses". And I kid you not! :)
That said, perhaps I made you curious, yet again. Go for it once, at least to see if you like the way we celebrate. In the meantime, I shall wish you a happy and prosperous New Year, and in 2019, I shall prepare various new surprises for my readers. La multi ani, 2019!
