Unit 8 Reading

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. New Year is coming. Let’s see how people all over the world are celebrating it.

Look at the man spreading salt on his doorstep. This is for good luck and peace. People in Türkiye think salt will keep them from bad things in the coming year. Isn’t that interesting?

Here in Greece, an old woman is hanging onions on her door. It’s a Greek tradition to welcome the new year. Onions are a symbol of good luck and health.

It’s near midnight in Denmark. Look! The families are all standing on chairs. When the clock strikes 12, they jump off their chairs into the new year, in the hope of getting over any problem in the year ahead!

In Colombia, some people are carrying suitcases around the block. Are they travellers? No! They’re hoping for a new year with lots of travel.     

The world is full of wonderful and interesting New Year traditions. But wherever you are, Happy New Year!