New Year, Madrid

New Year, Madrid

New Year comes with a lot of hope and expectations every time and everyone welcomes it as they rejoice to the brim. New Year in Madrid is one such occasion that turns the city into a sheer party ground.

With the clock striking twelve New Year begins in Madrid with the sonority of bells ringing. Puerta del Sol Square in Madrid is the place where a huge number people gather together to usher the New Year. The streets of Puerta del Sol Square get crowded with people wearing yellow hats. They also carry champagne bottles and bags of grapes along with them. The energy of the crowd is contagious. The most unique feature of celebration of New Year in Madrid is that the moment the clock strikes midnight, all the people present there stuff their mouth with grapes. Specifically the numbers of grapes are twelve and each stands for one month in a year, in all twelve months of the adventing year. A traditional belief is attached to this action of the citizenry of Madrid. It is said that eating the grapes in this fashion brings along good luck.

The excitement touches zenith when the last twelve seconds countdown begin before the clock actually strikes twelve. The crowd turns almost frantic with exhilaration at the last few seconds of the countdown. During these last twelve seconds denoted by the tolls of the bells at the clock that is placed at the peak of Madrid's Regional Government main building, the crowd sets about putting the twelve grapes in their mouth simultaneously making twelve wishes for the twelve months in the New Year.

At the final stroke champagne corks start flying in the air and within a few minutes the whole place is filled with smoke of the fire crackers. Smile and laughter inflicts the whole street and every soul is found to be exuberating. This exclusive affair is broadcasted live on television for the ones who could not join the open party ground in person.

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