Celebrating New Year's Eve In Portugal / Language Terms in European Portuguese

In Portugal, A noite de Ano Novo (New Year's Eve) is full of traditions and superstitions. Normally, the Portuguese like to celebrate the arrival of the new year as a group, and they usually meet in the main squares of their cities where, in addition to socializing with family members, they also take the opportunity to hang out with their friends.

Especially striking on New Year's Eve in Portugal are the countless foguetes e espetáculos de fogo de artifício (rockets and fireworks shows). But, even though there are celebrations in many cities, it is on the Ilha da Madeira (island of Madeira) that the most famous fireworks shows take place.

The Portuguese are a very proud people (when it comes to) their traditions, so they like to celebrate certain festive dates in special ways:

Show Me o Dinheiro (the Money)!

Superstition says that you can attract dinheiro (money) in the new year by eating chocolate (chocolate). 
 Another superstition says that you should hold some money while stepping up onto a chair, using your right foot first, to signify moving up in life and attracting richness. 
 An older belief that dates back to the 19th century says that you should put uma nota (a bill) inside your right shoe, and make the first purchase of the year with it. 
 You can also attract money by tossing a coin in the air and/or hopping on your right foot at midnight. 
 Just in case those aren’t enough, why not put uma folha de louro (a bay leaf) in your wallet and leave it there o ano todo (the whole year)?

Para Beber (To Drink)?

Just like many other countries, Portuguese natives usher in the New Year with bebidas alcoólicas (alcoholic beverages), preferably sparkling wine, and never water. They say that alcohol brings vitality and health (even though modern science may suggest otherwise)! 
 To renew your strength, you should save a cortiça (the cork) from the champagne bottle and only throw it away the following year. 
 Some believe that at midnight you should jump three times with a glass of champagne in your hand, without spilling it, and then throw the liquid behind your back without looking. This is said to leave behind all the bad that happened throughout the year. If someone is hit with the champagne in the process, don’t worry – they are supposed to have boa sorte (good luck) all year around!

Vamos Fazer Barulho (Let’s Make Noise)!

In some parts of Portugal, the tradition says that at midnight, you should run to the window and make as much noise as you can using tampas (lids) from panelas (pots). If you have one, you might even make some racket with a chocalhos (cowbell/rattle). This tradition of making noise is one of the oldest and most deep-rooted superstitions in the world, meant to scare away evil spirits and old ghosts that haunted the previous year. This is believed to have origins prior to the Roman Empire. In Lisbon, during the ‘50s and ‘60s, old pratos (plates) and panelas were thrown out the window, but this caused so much chaos that the ritual was put to an end.

Some of these traditions are hundreds of years old, and the origins of some are unclear. Although many realize that these are just superstitions, many choose to follow them anyway. They make the party more fun and help to give everyone a positive outlook for the year to come.

If you’re reading this during o Ano Novo, Rui, Joel and the entire team at PracticePortuguese.com wish you Feliz Ano Novo! (Happy New Year!) … because as the saying goes, Ano Novo, Vida Nova! (New Year, New Life!)

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