Learn all about New Year's Eve
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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class - “Holidays in Sweden” series at SwedishPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Swedish holidays and observances. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 1, New Year's Eve. In Swedish, it’s called nyårsafton. |
| Swedish people celebrate it together with family and friends, and they round off the celebrations with fireworks to welcome the New Year. New Year's Eve occurs every year on December 31st. |
| In this lesson, you will learn about how Swedish people celebrate New Year’s Eve, and what special traditions are associated with their New Year’s Eve celebrations. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, let’s see if you know the answer to this question - |
| Do you know what the two most common New Year's resolutions are in Sweden? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| New Year’s Eve is celebrated very differently depending on how old you are and your interests. Families with young childre n usually celebrate New Year’s Eve together, and cook a nice dinner that often includes lobster, or hummer, and tenderloin. New Year's Eve should feel as luxurious as possible, so the adults usually also drink champagne. After dinner it is not unusual to play a board game, or brädspel, together, eat some potato chips and watch TV. An English TV show called The Countess and the Butler, or Grevinnan och betjänten, has been airing every year on Swedish television since 1976, and it has become a tradition to watch it every New Year’s Eve. Interestingly, despite it being from the UK, it has never been shown on British television, and is completely unknown to UK citizens. |
| If you are a teenager, or if you don’t have any children of your own, it is likely that you would rather celebrate New Year’s Eve with your friends by having a party, or fest. It is also common for the guests to dress up in formal clothes – preferably with some glitter. You have to make sure that you look fancy to celebrate the New Year! |
| In both these cases, New Year’s Eve usually ends with large fireworks, or fyrverkerier. In Sweden, it is tradition to either set off your own fireworks or just watch other people’s firework displays. When the clock has struck twelve, people will set off their fireworks, make toasts and cheers with champagne, and make their New Year's resolutions. Another common custom is to give someone a New Year's kiss. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question. |
| Do you know what the two most common New Year's resolutions, or nyårslöften, are in Sweden? |
| The answer is – to start exercising, and to quit smoking. For the New Year it is common for people to want to change their lifestyle for the better, become healthier, and also to get rid of those extra pounds they have put on during the holiday season. |
| How did you find this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting? |
| How do you celebrate New Year's Eve in your country? |
| Leave us a comment letting us know at SwedishPod101.com. And we'll see you next time! |
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