New Year

New Year!Everywhere the New Year on the planet is met in different ways, because customs are different, different and desires, needs, opportunities. In the end, it does not matter whether we are waiting for Santa Claus, Bozhich-Batu, Santa Claus or someone else, still this “someone” will lead the New Year. Of course, the most rejoicing children and children in us adults. What are the most joyful children who are the first to celebrate the New Year? In addition to decorating the tree, they are also happy with gifts. The tradition of gifts to children has existed since the 4th century AD. Until the beginning of the 20th century, gifts were brought by St. Nicholas, the protector of children, then Santa Claus or Santa Claus took over his role and began to bring gifts to children for Christmas and New Year.

In Serbia, Božić-Bata knocked on the window of the nursery to “open the doors with golden ornaments”. Then in the middle of the 20th century, under the influence of the West, the custom arose to decorate a Christmas tree and meet Santa Claus dressed in red clothes, although the stocking of Bozhich-Baty has been preserved, in which gifts are left under the Christmas tree to the delight of our children. Soon after the beginning of the XX century, European fashion took over Belgrade, whose population before the First World War was 90,000 people. Along with European trends came the custom to celebrate the new year on December 31. The Orthodox year was still the main event. He was met everywhere: in hotels and restaurants, cinemas, theaters, clubs for music, confetti, candy, with a mandatory lottery, and then followed by midnight donuts, sour soup and brine.

After the First World War, a large state was formed - the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the Gregorian calendar was introduced, and more than 320 thousand inhabitants lived in Belgrade. In connection with these changes, the New Year became increasingly important, although it was still not considered an official holiday. It will only be after the Second World War. Until 1945, Orthodox Christmas in the life of the average Belgrade family was much more significant. Nevertheless, from year to year, January 1 was celebrated more and more noisy and pompous, and in celebration became more and more popular.

After the Second World War, there was a tradition to decorate everything for the holiday. First, the windows of large shops in the city center were decorated, and then its streets. Belgradens began to celebrate in the mountains, at sea and even abroad. But most stayed at home, celebrating the New Year with friends and neighbors or in any of the nearest hotels or restaurants. And yet, today it is impossible to say that the New Year in Serbia is the same family holiday as in Russia. The role of the main family holiday belongs to the Orthodox Christmas.