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New Year's Eve in Switzerland, known as "Silvester" in the German-speaking parts, is celebrated on December 31st and marks the end of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. Swiss New Year's celebrations reflect the country's cultural diversity, drawing from its German, French, Italian, and Romansh heritage.
The history of celebrating the new year on January 1st dates back to Roman times when Julius Caesar established the Julian calendar. However, it wasn't until later that this date became widely accepted across Europe.
Traditional Swiss New Year's customs vary by region:
Dropping Ice Cream: In some parts of Switzerland, there is a quirky tradition where people drop a scoop of ice cream on the floor at midnight for good luck in the coming year.
Bleigießen: A German-Swiss tradition involves melting a small piece of lead or tin in a spoon over a candle and then dropping it into cold water. The shape it forms is supposed to predict your future for the coming year.
Auld Lang Syne: Although not originally Swiss, singing "Auld Lang Syne," a Scottish song written by Robert Burns, has become common at midnight.
Modern celebrations in Switzerland are festive and joyous:
Public Parties: Major cities like Zurich, Geneva, Basel, and Lucerne host public parties with fireworks displays over landmarks such as Lake Zurich or Lake Geneva.
Private Gatherings: Many Swiss prefer to celebrate with friends and family at private gatherings or attend organized events at restaurants and clubs.
Cuisine: Traditional dishes such as fondue or raclette are popular on New Year's Eve, often accompanied by champagne or local wines.
Church Bells: At midnight, church bells ring throughout the country to announce the arrival of the new year.
While traditions may vary across Switzerland’s linguistic regions and cantons, common themes include bidding farewell to the old year with celebrations that combine both local customs and global festivities.