World ushers in New Year 2023 with mesmerising laser lights and fireworks
Written By: Wion Web Desk Updated: Jan 01, 2023, 12:59 PM IST
New Year is one of the rare occasions that almost the entire world celebrates. As 2023 starts on a Sunday, the world has different ways of preparing for the holiday. People have their cultural traditions and regional customs that will mark the end of 2022. Here are a few pictures from across the globe showing the world’s different ways to prepare for the arrival of 2023.
United States
Every year, thousands of people assemble at New York City’s Times Square to witness the gleaming ball drop at the stroke of midnight. Here’s a general view of the 2023 New Year’s Eve Ball at One Times Square.
(Photograph: AFP )
China
While the country grapples with its Covid crisis, it won’t back off from celebrating the New Year. The woman in the picture is a worker producing red lanterns ahead of New Year’s Day in Danzhai, Guizhou (China’s southwestern province).
(Photograph: AFP )
Russia
Amid the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, a New York decoration Kremlin star at the Gorky Park in Moscow bears a letter Z representing the Russian troops in Ukraine.
(Photograph: AFP )
Australia
Australians seem to be excited about the New Year celebration without restrictions after two years. The “family fireworks,” over the Opera House in Sydney were displayed for over three hours on New Year Eve’s.
(Photograph: AFP )
Ukraine
In Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, people have decorated concrete blocks as cartoon characters for the New Year. Within the action that ‘Children should not see war,’ volunteers have transformed blocks, earlier used to jam the streets. They served as checkpoints at the start of Russia’s invasion of the Kyiv region.
(Photograph: AFP )
Philippines
Fireworks light up the sky over Jones Bridge in Manila to celebrate during New Year celebrations.
(Photograph: AFP )
Philippines
The Philippines’ New Year’s Day tradition involves wearing polka dots and keeping circular fruits as it is ubiquitous. Here, a worker prints names on customised calendars ahead of the new year at a shop in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
(Photograph: AFP )
South Korea
During celebrations for the New Year at Jogye temple in Seoul, South Korea’s capital city, Buddhist followers hook name cards with wishes.
(Photograph: AFP )
Nepal
In Kathmandu, members of the indigenous Gurung Community wearing their traditional attires take part in New Year celebration ceremony, also known as “Tamu Lhosar.”
(Photograph: AFP )
Romania
In the end-of-the-year parade, young men and women participated in costumes along with musicians, police, and tourists. The event is a yearly tradition, believed to chase away the evil spirit of the coming year.
(Photograph: AFP )
India
Women painted their hands their hands and face painted ahead of New Year eve celebrations in Amritsar.
(Photograph: AFP )
Sri Lanka
Amid political and economic turmoil in the coutnry, Sri Lanka prepares to celebrate New Year. Fireworks explode over the port city as part of the celebrations in Colombo.
(Photograph: AFP )
Myanmar
People gather together to celebrate New Year at Yangon.
(Photograph: AFP )
Spain
Employees scour certified Vinalopo grapes at a vineyard processing plant in Novelda, eastern Spain. In a nearly century-old tradition, people eat 12 grapes as midnight strikes on New Year’s Eve. The custom promises good luck to those who manage a grape and wish per chime.
(Photograph: AFP )
Hong Kong
Citizens take pictures during a fireworks and laser show as they celebrate the New Year next to Victoria Harbour.
(Photograph: AFP )
United Kingdom
Fireworks at the famous London Eye ferris wheel in London, UK as the country welcomes the new year.
(Photograph: Reuters )
Brazil
Fireworks at the Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 31, 2022.
(Photograph: Reuters )
France
People at the Champs Elysees avenue for New Year’s Eve celebrations in Paris, France, December 31, 2022.
(Photograph: Reuters )
3) Germany, Spain
Germany and Spain occupied the third spot as the passport holders of the two countries managed to have their way in 190 countries.
(Photograph: Reuters )
Japan
People release balloons as they welcome the year in Tokyo, Japan.
(Photograph: Reuters )
New York, United States
People gathered at Times Square, in Manhattan, New York, marking the first New Year’s event since the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Photograph: Reuters )
United Arab Emirates
Fireworks from the world’s tallest building during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Dubai.
(Photograph: Reuters )
London, UK
Fireworks and drones display marked the New Year, in London, UK.
(Photograph: Reuters )
Kenya
People look at fireworks launched from Old Mutual Tower in Nairobi to mark the New Year on January 1, 2023.
(Photograph: AFP )
Greece
Fireworks launched over the the Acropolis during New Year celebrations in Athens on January 1, 2023.
(Photograph: AFP )
