Australia
By Matthew Robertson
Epoch Times Staff
Sydney’s harbor bridge began 2010 resembling a massive sparkler. Five tons of fireworks on the shore were, as usual, the centerpiece event of this New Year’s celebrations in Australia. Each year over a million people gather to celebrate in the din to welcome the New Year amidst bursts of light, color, and thumping music. A yin-yang symbol was featured in transmuting, flashing lights on the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
In Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city, hundreds of thousands flocked into the central business district to watch pyrotechnic displays bursting from the tops of some of the tallest buildings. Similar scenes—of fireworks, alcohol, music, and parties—took place across Australia. It wasn’t all fun and games, though. Over 200 people were arrested in the southern state of Victoria for being too drunk, while 130 arrests were made in Sydney.
South Korea
Jarrod Hall
Epoch Times Staff
South Koreans are more likely to celebrate New Year’s Day than New Year’s Eve. The most popular way to do this is to travel to beaches on the East coast of the peninsula and watch the sun rise over the East Sea or the Sea of Japan. The cost of hotels along the East coast of South Korea spike sharply at this time due to massive demand.
Many cities will have a fireworks display or hold celebrations in the city centre or the main shopping district. They usually involve lots of fairy lights, street food, balloons, and loud pop music.
Malaysia
James Chow
Epoch Times Staff
Two hours before the countdown and fireworks display, the crowd started to build up at the pool site outside the shopping mall, where people typically enjoy watching a well-known music fountain. Outside the shopping mall is the beautifully landscaped KLCC Park, where crowds often gather to watch the fireworks display.
At 12 a.m., a five minute fireworks display started and fired from the center of the KLCC Park and the crowd cheered for the start of 2010.
Countdown events in recent years have gone wild in Malaysia. Youth like to spray a smell-irritating snow foam at friends and strangers during the countdown event. Tonight, the crowds in KLCC were considered very well behaved as compared to those in the Bukit Bintang shopping area, which is located just over a mile from KLCC. Only a few snow spray cans were discovered on the floor after the countdown event at KLCC.
Kuala Lumpur residents celebrate New Year by joining countdown events, gathering, and clubbing with friends and colleagues, while others prefer staying home to avoid traffic and road blocks in the city area.
Ukraine
Andrey Volkov
Epoch Times Staff
The New Year in Ukraine is regarded as a family day. The traditional meals are an essential part of the celebrations. Among them is a unique dish called “Olivier,” while others include more conventional dishes such as fried geese, chicken and beef, and various salads. Rounds of drinks are shared. Champagne is common, but wine is often the preference.
In the past Ukrainians celebrated the New Year on what is regarded as “the old New Year,” which falls on January 14. In order to be part of global celebrations, the date was moved to January 1.
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