Video: Stonehaven Fireballs: Blazing Scottish New Year
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
The stores have already started selling Christmas balls - which means that Santa Claus is somewhere nearby. Before the holidays, the Emergencies Ministry traditionally warns not to get too carried away with fireworks and not to hang candles on the tree. But to true Scots, all warnings are sideways. December 31 they arm themselves fireballs, torches and other dangerous things, and go to the embankment: it's time to celebrate the blazing New Year!
Most recently, we talked about how fireballs are kicked in Indonesia on the occasion of Ramadan. However, the Scots seem to love fireballs even stronger than the Indonesians: More than 10,000 people gather in the seaside town of Stonehaven to celebrate the New Year with a twinkle.
It is not known exactly when the tradition was born; in any case, in 1853 it already existed. It is clear that it goes back to the pagan rituals of cleansing from evil spirits; some researchers believe that the holiday fireballs are somehow connected with ball lightning, which supposedly personified the sun god.
One way or another, a festive procession begins in Stonehaven shortly before midnight. Almost all of the participants are carrying something burning, and 45 people are armed with large fireballs on long arms. The procession goes to the sea, and along the way the "ball-bearers" arrange something like a fire show.
And now the coast of the North Sea is very close. This is where the time comes to betray the balls of fire to the sea. After the ritual immersion of fireballs in the water, a bright 5-minute fireworks display is launched at half past midnight. And then, when everything that is flammable has already burned out, you can start celebrating!
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