Old New Year's Day

What Is Old New Year’s Day?

Old New Year’s Day is an informal traditional observance that marks the New Year according to the Julian calendar. While most of the world shifted to the Gregorian calendar, some cultures, particularly those with strong Eastern Orthodox Christian traditions, maintained a connection to the older calendar for certain observances. This results in a second, folk-based New Year’s celebration on 14th January, 13 days after the Gregorian New Year.

The observance is not typically an official public holiday but rather a cultural tradition for family gatherings, festive meals, and the continuation of seasonal celebrations. It serves as an additional opportunity for people to gather with loved ones and partake in customary festivities after the Gregorian New Year and Orthodox Christmas. The occasion is often viewed as a quieter, more intimate celebration compared to 1st January.

History and Origins of Old New Year’s Day

The origins of Old New Year’s Day lie in the calendar reform initiated by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. Prior to this, the Julian calendar, introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE, was widely used. The Julian calendar, however, had a slight inaccuracy, causing it to drift out of alignment with the solar year over centuries. By the 16th century, it was approximately 10 days behind the actual astronomical events.

The Gregorian calendar corrected this inaccuracy, but its adoption was not uniform. Many predominantly Orthodox Christian countries, including Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine, continued to use the Julian calendar for both civil and religious purposes well into the 20th century. When these nations eventually adopted the Gregorian calendar for civil matters, the 13-day discrepancy that had accumulated by the 20th century meant that the Julian New Year fell on 14th January in the Gregorian calendar. Many Orthodox Churches still use the Julian calendar for their liturgical cycle, leading to the observance of Orthodox Christmas on 7th January and Old New Year’s Day on 14th January.

How Old New Year’s Day Is Celebrated

Old New Year’s Day is celebrated primarily as a cultural and domestic observance, often featuring family reunions and traditional meals. While generally less boisterous than the 1st January New Year, it offers a chance to extend the festive season. Celebrations vary slightly across different regions, but common themes include feasting, singing, and various folk traditions.

Celebrations in Russia

In Russia, Old New Year’s Day, known as “Stary Novy God” (Старый Новый год), is a widely recognised but unofficial holiday. Families typically gather for an additional festive meal, which often includes traditional dishes that may have also been served for the Gregorian New Year. Some people choose to take down their New Year’s trees (Yolka) and decorations after this date, marking the end of the holiday season. The night is associated with fortune-telling in some folk traditions, with young women attempting to predict their future spouses or fortunes. There may also be special television programming or concerts.

Celebrations in Ukraine

In Ukraine, Old New Year’s Day is also known as “Malanka” or “Shchedryi Vechir” (Bountiful Evening), combining elements of a folk holiday with the New Year observance. It is celebrated on the eve of Old New Year’s Day (13th January) and features elaborate feasts, traditional carols called “Shchedrivky,” and Mummers’ plays. Young people and children often dress in costumes, go from house to house, and perform songs and dances in exchange for treats or money. This tradition is particularly strong in western Ukraine and involves characters like Malanka and Vasyl, representing the transition from the old to the new year.

Celebrations in Serbia and Montenegro

In Serbia, Old New Year’s Day is known as “Srpska Nova Godina” (Serbian New Year) and is celebrated with enthusiasm. Many people attend special church services on the evening of 13th January, and public celebrations often take place with concerts and fireworks in city squares. Families and friends gather for lavish dinners, often including roasted pig or lamb, and exchange gifts. Similarly, in Montenegro, the observance carries significant cultural weight, featuring family meals and a festive atmosphere, often coinciding with local folk traditions.

Celebrations in Other Countries

In Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, and parts of Kazakhstan, Old New Year’s Day is also observed with varying degrees of local traditions. These celebrations generally involve family gatherings, a festive supper, and a continuation of the New Year’s spirit. While not a day off from work, it is a cherished opportunity for a more relaxed and traditional celebration, upholding cultural ties to the Julian calendar.

When Is Old New Year’s Day?

Old New Year’s Day is a fixed date observance that falls on 14th January each year in the Gregorian calendar. This date is precisely 13 days after 1st January, reflecting the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars that accumulated by the 20th century. As the Eastern Orthodox Churches continue to use the Julian calendar for their liturgical calendar, this date aligns with their traditional start of the New Year, following Orthodox Christmas on 7th January. The specific date remains consistent annually, irrespective of the day of the week.

Old New Year’s Day Key Facts