Poets from Different Countries Share Their Favorite New Year Traditions
By Suara Anak Negeri
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Last week, the editorial office of the Kazanskiye Vedomosti newspaper hosted the VI International Video Bridge as part of the Handshake of Republics festival. The inspiring online meeting, titled New Year Traditions and Customs Around the World, brought together poets from various countries.
The Handshake of Republics festival was initiated by poet and cultural figure Olga Levadnaya to strengthen ties between writers.
The event was moderated by:
– Venera Yakupova, President of the Association of Publishers and Distributors of Printed Products of the Republic of Tatarstan and Editor-in-Chief of Kazanskiye Vedomosti;
– Festival organizer Olga Levadnaya;
– Alexander Voronin, Chair of the Kazan City Branch of the Union of Russian Writers of Tatarstan.
Journalist, filmmaker, and television director Shamil Fattakhov provided translation support.
New Year is one of the world’s most unifying holidays, celebrated in nearly every country. Yet each culture adds its own unique traditions and customs. These differences not only enrich us spiritually but also teach respect for other cultures.
The poets shared their favorite New Year traditions and recited original works dedicated to the festive season.
India
New Year is celebrated differently across regions. In major cities, the December 31–January 1 festivities are subdued. However, the traditional Indian New Year (Chaitra Shukladi), starting on the first day of the month of Chaitra (usually March 21 or 22), is marked with vibrant celebrations. During this time, Indians wear new clothes and visit relatives.
Indonesia
Each of the country’s eight provinces celebrates New Year uniquely. The most notable observances follow two calendars: the Gregorian and Islamic. The Gregorian New Year (December 31–January 1) features fireworks and parties in cities like Jakarta and Bali. The Islamic New Year begins with the month of Muharram, observed quietly through prayers and reflections. In Bali, Nyepi—the Day of Silence—coincides with the Balinese New Year (Saka). Streets empty as locals meditate.
Greece
Greek New Year and Christmas traditions closely resemble Russian ones, unsurprising given the country’s Orthodox Christian majority. Children sing carols for treats or coins, and a coin-filled pie graces the holiday table—whoever finds it will have luck in the coming year. At midnight, Greeks smash a pomegranate on their doorstep; scattered seeds signify good fortune. Interestingly, the Christmas tree tradition arrived only in 1833 under Bavarian Prince Otto I. Previously, seafaring Greeks decorated miniature ships.
China
The Lunar New Year fell on January 29 this year. Olga Levadnaya sent a video greeting from the Dialogue poetic theater to Chinese friends, while Chris Chen responded with a message from Beijing’s festival.
Familiar traditions like Ded Moroz, Snegurochka, Olivier salad, and sledding fascinated international participants.
While each custom holds something special to adopt, the heart of the holiday remains connection, love, and hope for a brighter future.
Vladislav KOSOLAPKIN
Introducing the Participants
Leni Marlina (Indonesia)
Poet, writer, researcher, and journalist. She has taught at Negeri Padang University (UNP) since 2006, pioneering innovative English-language teaching methods. As an ambassador of Indonesian poetry for the ACC Shanghai Huifeng literary association, she promotes the nation’s poetic heritage globally. Marlina believes in literature’s power to inspire progress and cultural understanding.
Mrinal Kanti Ghosh (India)
Author of poetry collections, stories, novels, and scripts for All India Radio Kolkata. Recipient of awards from Bangladesh and other nations. A musician, he performs Indian classical music on guitar.
Chris Chen (China/New Zealand)
Chinese poet, translator, editor, and 2023 winner of Italy’s Ossi di Seppia Prize for best foreign writer. Coordinator of the World Poetry Movement for Oceania, her works, translated into 20 languages, are archived in Belgium’s Royal Library and featured in 21st-Century World Poetry in Chinese.
Theodora Yannitsi (Greece)
Translator, historian, and actress. Born in Athens, she moved to Moscow in 1989 on a scholarship, graduating from Moscow State University (History, 1995) and RATI-GITIS (2003). Since 2005, she has headed the Greek Cultural Center (GCC), fostering Hellenic culture in Russia.
