SYDNEY, N.S. — New Year’s celebrations in Cape Breton tend to involve Chinese food or turkey dinners, get-togethers with family and friends, fireworks and resolutions. Depending on what country you’re in for January 1, some of these traditions are the same and, in some places, New Year’s is celebrated on two different dates. Here are a few insights into how some cultures celebrate New Year’s around the world.
Ahmed Barakat
From: Cairo, Egypt
Business partner: Jenan's Syrian Kitchen
New Year's celebrated: January 7
Specific foods: Sweets and baked goods, like baklava
"Lot of events will be outdoors... This time of the year is still a good time to be out, whether it's restaurants or music events of family gatherings. There are a lot of places in Egypt that have become more westernized where they go full out with the New Year's fireworks. We are 100 million (people) in Egypt, so I am sure you will find a lot of people who will want to do every kind of stuff for New Year's — party, stay with family. There are all kinds of options. It's more of a big event here... I never really celebrated New Year's much at home, until I came here (in 2010)."
Ahmad Alhsso and Jenan Alahmad
From: Aleppo, Syria
Owners: Jenan's Syrian Kitchen
New Year's celebrated: Jan. 1 and Aug. 19 (Arabic New Year's 2020)
Specific foods: Nothing specific, generally a big meal with meats and deserts for 30-40 people.
"We gather with family and friends. Maybe my friends will come to my house," Alhsso explained. "We're not really into partying so we spend it with family and friends. (We are Muslim) and we have a lot of Christian friends so we celebrate New Year's with them."
Yayi (Amy) Lew
From: Hubei province, China
Graduate: Cape Breton University (Nov. 2019)
Current job: Starbucks barrista
New Year's celebrated: Jan. 25 (2020)
Specific foods: Dumplings, noodles, fried vegetables
"For Lunar New Year's people, all the family get together and eat big dinners in the nighttime, on Lunar New Year's eve. And we will see big shows to celebrate... and see fireworks after, play some games and have some fun... This is the most important time in the whole year where we celebrate new times coming, new start and happy endings."
Yashpalsinh Solanki
From: Dampha, Gujarat province, India
Student: Cape Breton University (first year)
New Year's celebrated: Dec. 31, plus March, April, August or October depending on region
Indian New Year's coincides with (depending on region): Sankrati, Vaishakha, Chaitra, Sankaratis or Purnimas
Specific foods: Nothing specific
"We hang out with our friends and family... Some people hang out, go to pubs... Gujarat is a very dry state (there are no pubs like in Mumbai) so we hang out with our family, play games and go out to a restaurant to eat. For me, I like to go with friends, play games like bowling or cricket. Cricket is our national sport... In India we make resolutions on our birthdays."