A British newspaper last year ranked the Serbian capital among the very top destinations to be visited, especially for its night life. Since the new millennium, the celebration of the New Year on Belgrade's streets has also become something of a tourist brand.
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According to the Tourist Organisation of Belgrade, the majority of hotels are already booked towards the end of December and accommodation is now moving outside the city.
Figures from last year's event show that about 50,000 visitors came from abroad. On New Year's Eve, Slovenian is the most commonly-heard foreign language on Belgrade's streets.
Organisers of the celebration expect a record number of people on Belgrade's streets; nearly half a million. |
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The City has allocated fifteen million dinars from its budget for the 2006 New Year's Eve party, which will feature live music and performances by both domestic and foreign acts. The main stage will be located in front of the National Assembly Building, while there will be others as well.
"What until recently had been for Serbia and Belgrade a picture of joy from other metropolises around the world has now become a night to be enjoyed by young Belgraders as well, along with their guests from abroad." That was the motto of the 2004 New Year's Eve Party.
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Even before that, young people called Republic Square the epicenter of rock'n'roll where a cold winter night was turned into a night to be remembered. There was dancing, singing, beer drinking, champagne, firecrackers, and a terrific midnight fireworks show in the sky. Belgrade cannot celebrate anything without trumpeters so it is the case on New Year's Eve. Year after year, this scenario is repeated, as it is everywhere throughout the world, while the City Assembly, TOB and the Belgrade Cultural Network always strive to bring new musicians and coin a new motto. |
The theme of the 2005 New Year's Party was "The Fifth Element", an allusion to the film of the same name, and its key message was, "Love everywhere, always and forever". The four basic elements that make the world - water, air, earth and fire – were represented by symbolic stages built at four locations, and the fifth - the most important, love, were in the hearts of those who present on Belgrade's squares. Full of love, in "sixth speed", we entered 2006 wanting the whole year to be in this sign.
The New Year's Eve party always starts at noon with a special programme for children. Santa Claus, jugglers, balloons, gifts, performances in the open, are only a part of the festive atmosphere in Belgrade's streets. A part of the New Year's tradition is also the Street of Open Hearts.
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On January 1st, from noon to early evening, in Makedonska and Svetogorska streets, actors and musicians, acrobats and singers offer a rich humanitarian programme. All people with "open hearts" leave a small gift for children who live in special institutions. The manifestation "Street of Open Hearts" has been organised since 1988, when actors from nearby Atelje 212 Theatre wanted to cook food at the Serbian Café and to serve it to all those who had served them during the other days of the year. |
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This shows that New Year in Belgrade is celebrated for a full 24 hours. Everyone can have a fun to own taste, to find a nice place, and foreigners say that Belgrade's scenario without Belgraders wouldn't be what it is. They admire their ability to welcome, to entertain, to have a good time, to live every single moment. This makes the New Year's Eve party in the Serbian capital unique.
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The 2007 New Year's Eve Party will take place at two downtown stages. The stage in front of the National Assembly will feature the popular rock and pop music, as well as ethno music and dance music, including: Sergej Ćetković, Lajko Feliks and the Boban Marković Band, Aleksandra Kovač, Strip Group, Inkognito and - a surprise performer.
The programme at Republic Square is for younger audiences and will include Kraljevski Apartman, Negativ, Party Breakers, Beogradski Sindikat, Vrum, Marčelo and Marko Nastić. |
On the whole planet, regardless whether New Year's Eve is celebrated at below-zero temperatures or in humid conditions, there are some familiar traditions.
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The party in Manhattan has included a countdown since 1907, with a famous crystal ball that descends from a skyscraper. In Sidney, fireworks can be seen from a distance of ten kilometers. The Danes are happy to see a pile of broken plates in front of their doors because this symbolises friendship.
In Japan, bells from Buddhist temples ring eight times at midnight to drive away eight human faults and they laugh to scare away evil spirits. |
Every nation has its own beliefs, though the history of New Year festivities hasn't been fully researched. The Babylonians were the first to celebrate it 4000 years ago, when festivities lasted 11 days with each day having a special meaning.
You can come to Belgrade's New Year's Eve Party in your old clothing; there is no need to fill your wallet with money so you stay rich all year, but you can definitely count on kissing, three times, naturally. It is our vow of closeness for the next 12 months. |
