Saint-Sylvestre, new year: year end festive traditions

31 December marks the last day of the year and the beginning of an endless night filled with joy and good humour. The feast of “Saint-Sylvestre Eve”, or “eve of the day of the year”, is generally organised between friends, family, eager to make the famous sentence: “good year.”

By France, the day of the year has not always been 1 January. In the sixth and seventh centuries, in many provinces, the day of the year was celebrated on 1st March. During the reign of Charlemagne in the 9th century, the year began on Christmas. Kings capétiens time from the 10th century, year started on Easter day. It is only since 1564 the new year begins January 1. Indeed, in the Roussillon edict of August 9, 1564, King Charles IX decides to fix the beginning of the year 1 January to standardize the calendar of the Kingdom.

But who was Sylvestre?

The Saint celebrated 31 December has no connection with the transition to the new year. This is just a coincidence in the Gregorian calendar. Sylvestre was 33rd Pope. Roman origin, he occupied the throne of Saint Peter for almost twenty years (314-335). It was under his reign the Christianity was recognized as a religion of the Roman Empire, with the conversion of the Emperor Constantine I. Sylvestre thus had the heavy responsibility of organizing the Church finally peaceful society.

A vigil until midnight, then the effusion of joy

Historically, custom wants it celebrates the arrival of the new year with friends, ensuring until midnight for a festive dinner. The twelfth hit midnight day is momentarily suspended time for guests to make wishes for the year that commence… and sometimes complete fort late at night.

The next day, day of the year, families and friends to exchange vows and take good resolutions for the coming year. Unlike many countries, France, it is customary to introduce his vows until the 3rd week of January.

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