New Year’s Eve is called Noche Vieja in Spain. In Mallorcan, that would be Cap d’Any. The end of the year is particularly significant this year, both in Spain and in Mallorca, because of La Crisis and the general bad state of affairs, economically speaking. Everybody is hoping for a turn to the better in the coming year; may the good luck start from tomorrow.

Just like every year, Spanish New Year’s Eve celebrations will begin tonight with a traditional family dinner or else, a meal amongst a large group of friends. Some say that Spanish tradition also asks for new, red underwear on New Year’s Eve to enhance good luck. At the stroke of midnight, it is the tradition to eat twelve grapes, one with each chime of the bells. Bad luck awaits those in the New Year who do not finish with their twelve grapes before the bells have finished their last chime. Somehow the twelve grapes have become synonymous with seeing in the New Year in the Iberian world. After the actual countdown of the clock, people greet each other, perhaps hug, maybe even kiss, and then toast with sparkling wine such as Cava or champagne. In Palma, the place to be at midnight tonight will be the Plaça Cort in front of the town hall.

The photo was taken in Palma, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: December 30th, 2011. The time was 14:37:03.