Isle of Gran Canaria

12 grapes to end the old year

You were probably saying: what?? 12 grapes??

No, I’m not crazy. As a, not only canarian but, entirely spanish tradition we celebrate the countdown to the new year in a very particular way:

The last 12 gongs, from normally a tower-clock, of the year when it gets 0:00 are ment to be accompanied with a sigle grape with every gong.

It normally broadcasted live on TV from the “Puerta del Sol” in Madrid, but since we have it one hour later, it’s normally done from a local church with tower-clock.

Where does this habit come from?
It has its origin 1909 from wine growers who celebrated a good years harvest and is now one of the most deeply rooted habits.

You’d be probably tired of hearing this today and I don’t want to be the one to miss this chance to get on your nerves too.

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 31st, 2006 at 7:22 pm and is filed under About Gran Canaria, Cultural Events.


One Response to “12 grapes to end the old year”

  1. Steffi Hernandez-Goodlad Says:
    May 31st, 2007 at 9:32 pm

    Just to say Hi to all in Gran Canaria Lived there for three years , back in England for good, really miss the lifestyle over there, but have commitments here. xxx The recipe for Mojo is brill.


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