New Year's Day in Hungary (Újév)

January 1st, known as Újév, marks New Year's Day in Hungary, a national holiday that is celebrated with various customs and traditions.

History and Traditions:

• Hungarian Superstitions: Like many cultures, Hungarians have superstitions surrounding the New Year. It is considered good luck to start the year with a clean house, symbolizing a fresh start.
• Food Traditions: Certain foods are consumed for good luck. Lentils are associated with prosperity and wealth; eating them is believed to bring financial success. Pork is also popular as it symbolizes progress (as pigs root forward when searching for food).
• Avoiding Poultry: Chicken and fish are often avoided as they are thought to cause fortune to fly away or swim away respectively.
• First Footer (Első látogató): The first person to enter one's home after midnight was once thought to bring either good or bad luck for the upcoming year.

Modern Celebrations:

• Fireworks and Parties: Much like in other countries, fireworks light up the sky at midnight. People attend parties, street celebrations, and concerts.
• Concerts and Cultural Events: The first day of the new year often features classical concerts, including the famous New Year's Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra broadcasted on television.
• Resting Day: After the festivities of New Year's Eve (Szilveszter), many Hungarians use January 1st as a day of rest and relaxation.

Hungarian New Year celebrations blend traditional customs with modern festivities, offering a unique cultural experience at the turn of the year.