CubaPLUS Magazine

Highly anticipated and celebrated have always been in Cuba the festivities for the end of each year, December 31, and those of advent of the New Year, the first of January, as culmination of a series of celebrations held with family and friends from December 24, the day of the traditional Christmas Eve.

Nothing new under the sun, it will be said, because these are old customs that in nations forged in Christian culture and Western rule. We only add that here the New Year coincides with the anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, celebrated with harmony in the middle of that great climate of popular joy. In short, parties and more parties, always held within of the most humble and simple Cuban families, above all, with the seasoning of the great wealth added to the revelry by customs and traditions contributed by the strong African component present in our blood and idiosyncrasy.

Because here, thank God, he who does not have congo has carabalí and the color of the Cuban mestizaje nuances everything. As for the famous December 31, towards the middle of the 20th century, consumerism already established in the country had created the trend to go out to celebrate outside home, attending a special dinner, dance or cabaret, depending on the possibilities of each person, accompanied by couples or friends, all ready to celebrate the ceremony of the bell ringing, the cider, wine or champagne, in unison with the famous grapes.

Where are you going to spend the 31st? People ask themselves insistently, whether you are rich or poor, and you would give what you don't have buying new clothes and brand new shoes, for the occasion. They say there was a frenzy. Then, for a long time, the younger ones enjoyed certain changes in the customs to celebrate the farewell to the year in a more familiar environment, in the charming company of members of the different generations, as well as some very appreciated friends.

This return to the house like great-great-grandparents was very endearing. However, now the movement returns and they are practiced with harmony, agreeing all existing variants. Life is changing. In general, no matter how difficult times are for the party, dancing, rum and music are inevitable on the 31st and first of January for Cubans. The custom to organize, especially starting with the New Year, dances in different squares of the municipalities of all provinces, with the participation of the best orchestras.

We deserve a special mention to talk about the preparations for the inevitable dinner on December 31st that in every Cuban home or family should be performed almost as a rite of good omen or exorcism for a better new year. Generally it is roast pork, Moorish congrí, Christian or oriental, or white rice and black beans special, yuca with mojo and green plantain tostones fried, the ideal menu for that occasion. But those who have not managed to achieve it or take care of their cholesterol are happy with chicken or other types of meat.

All this is accompanied with Cuban rum, cold beer and wine. In the East the custom of eating wet casabe, a dish of aboriginal origin, fritters and rosquitas, artisanal sweets blessed by the tradition. It is unthinkable for a Reyoyo Cuban, no matter how difficult his situation may be. Nobody thinks of ignoring December 31 and living to see the arrival of the new year with full joy.

In those moments Cubans resort to old habits and worship even funny superstitions, something that everyone loves.  They really like to clean up their home environment from the moment that strikes 12, throwing clean water from a window or door to the outside. And there are even those who go around the block of their home, carrying a suitcase, to attract the possibility of traveling abroad happily in the new year.

Affection, solidarity and love are lavished in those moments, like everywhere, on this earth. The video calls, sending photos and instant exchanges. They have enriched that experience here for a few years now. There are countrymen who travel enormous distances, within and out of the country, in order to spend some beautiful fleeting moments hugging their children or their parents on such occasions. So It is, the end of the year is old and it is new in this beautiful Cuba!