Neujahr

New Year's Day, 1 January, beginning of the year, one of the twelve nights of Christmas (Christmastide) ( Rauhnächte) and forms one holiday together with the preceding New Year´s Eve ( Silvester). Starting dates such as New Year were considered to be oracular and critical days ( Lostage), and thought to be predictive of the furture. Several traditions are typical of New Year, such as the Neujahrsblasen (trumpets are blown from towers) or the ringing of St. Stephen´s Cathedral´s bell ( Pummerin) at midnight. Its sound, which is followed by the playing of the Blue Danube Waltz, is broadcast via TV and radio. New Year´s postcards are sent and in rural areas New Year´s wishes are sung in the so-called Neujahrssingen ("New Year´s Singing"), good-luck charms (marzipan piglets, four-leafed clover, etc.) are given to neighbours and friends. In towns, people often give money to public service workers such as the refuse collectors, postmen and chimney sweeps (a relic from the 19th century, when New Year gifts were common practice). - The New Year´s Concert, which has been performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra since 1939 (1^st concert on December 31, 1939, since 1941 on New Year´s Day), is broadcast virtually all around the world. Some other towns in Austria also celebrate New Year with similar concerts.

Literature: H. M. Wolf, Das Brauch-Buch, 1992.