New Year’s eve at Copacabana, Bikini & Champagne
New year’s eve at Copacabana is a very special event. It is the second
largest celebration only next to the Carnival. The mixture of Brazilian
and African culture gives a special essence to New Year’s Eve
celebration at Copacabana.
The atmosphere at Copacabana on New Years Eve attract
millions of people of all ages irrespective of their race, religion or
country.
The transvestites are no exception. There are also seen here in
thriving numbers. All of them mingle in a very friendly way and wish
Happy New Year to each other even if they are total strangers.
The major attractions of New Year’s Eve at Copacabana are -
· Magnificent Firework display
· Celebration to welcome New Year at the Beach
· Traditional rituals
Stunning fireworks, for millions on Copa gathering for New Year's Eve
Firework display is the magic of this entire event. It lasts for almost thirty minutes and it is a picture of absolute delight.
When the clock strikes midnight, the firework starts cracking up,
changing the dark silent night sky into a lively, multicolored work of
art. Fireworks are placed on the boats anchored along the beach at a
safe distance from the festivities. Showers of all shapes and sizes
fill up the night sky from all the directions. The event is such a
dazzling one that one has to be there to comprehend its magnificence.
All the hotels and apartments along the beach side
are lit up with stunning lights to welcome the New Year. Even the
buildings and balconies are decorated with lights. To encourage this
festive tradition the city also gives awards to the most creative
decoration and display of lights.
To celebrate the New Year a variety of entertainment shows are hosted
on the beach along with free live music to enhance the mood of
festivity. The celebration continues late into the night and millions
of people come together to celebrate the New Year filling each and
every space on the beach and the sidewalks. The beach kiosks and
restaurants are also open in the night so that snacks and refreshments
are available in plenty.
People celebrate the New Year by sharing chilled
Champagne with total strangers. It is considered good luck to shake the
Champagne bottle and spray around at midnight. Chilled Champagne adds
to the spirit of the festivities.
New Year's Eve rituals on Copa beach! In honor of Lemanja, the Goddess of Sea !
At the New Year’s Eve celebration at Copacabana
people participate in an African ritual ceremony to honor deity
Lemanja, the Goddess of Sea. Boats of varied sizes are prepared with
the images of deity Lemanja, which are later put in the sea. Everyone
comes with white flowers, which are thrown into the sea as an offering
to the Goddess Lemanja . The deity Lemanja is also offered numerous
gifts on the New Year’s eve.
People arrange their gifts on the beach sand along
with candles. The gifts consist of variety of items ranging from
cosmetics, food items to Champagne. People then proceed to the
priestess Mae de Santo for blessings. After the blessings people find a
new vigor in themselves to start the New Year afresh.
New Years Colours on Copacabana ! White for luck, green for money and blue for peace !
Colors play a very significant role in the New
Year’s Eve celebration at Copacabana beach. People believe the white is
the color of good luck so everyone comes in white dress for the party.
This helps them to start the New Year afresh. In addition to white,
people are also adorn themselves in red accessories as a symbol of
romance. The colors yellow and gold bring prosperity while green brings
good health. Black is considered a bad omen in such festivities and
finds no place amongst the vivid colors of this celebration.
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