 |
| Photo retracted from http://www.nocheviejauniversitaria.com/historia-nochevieja |
La Nochevieja Universitaria (something like a student’s New
Year’s Eve) is one of the most ‘important’ events of the academic year although
it doesn't have many things in common with studying and a lot more to do with
enjoying the student life itself. It has a ‘long standing’ tradition (this year
is its 10th anniversary) and became an event not only for the
students in Salamanca but also for the students from the whole of Spain and even
other countries.
 |
| Photo retracted from http://www.nocheviejauniversitaria.com/historia-nochevieja |
It started in 1999 when around a dozen of students
gathered in Plaza Mayor to celebrate the end of the year with their
classmates and flatmates before they all headed to their respective homes to spend the holidays with their families. The following year they did it again but with
more people since the word spread and the ‘event’ kept growing. Since it was becoming a ‘large’ phenomenon, in 2004 an event management company took over the event and from then onwards it keeps gaining popularity. In 2013, almost 45,000 people attended the event and the whole show made it to the national news. This year La Nochevieja Universitaria takes place on December 11th and even more students are expected to arrive.
 |
| Photo retracted from http://www.nocheviejauniversitaria.com/historia-nochevieja |
The show (live music, visual show, etc.) at Plaza Mayor is
open to everyone, however, people can buy tickets for ‘pub crawls’, VIP back
stage access, special ‘La Nochevieja Universitaria package’ including ‘gominolas’ (gummies),
Santa hats and other accessories needed to make it a special and unforgettable night.
The ‘gominolas’ are tied to the Spanish NYE tradition of eating 12 grapes at the
stroke of midnight for good luck in the New Year. However, in 1999 the students didn't have grapes and thus they ate 12 gummy bears. Since then the tradition has evolved and now you can even buy gummies that look and taste like grapes but are in
fact made out of jelly thus bridging the traditional NYE with the student one.
What is definitely worth mentioning is the amazing 3D light
show that took place last year. This visual
spectacle raised certain questions since it was sponsored by a brand of rum and
some people were asking whether it was appropriate. However, rum or no rum, it
was seriously cool (as you will see for yourself in the video at the end of the post) and I would have definitely liked
to see it live.
 |
| Photo retracted from http://www.nocheviejauniversitaria.com/historia-nochevieja |
Lot of students will also stay in Salamanca overnight or even for
the weekend since accommodation can also be included in the 'package'. Therefore,
it goes without saying that this event is also economically significant to the hospitality
sector which is highly important for Salamanca as well as the municipality
itself. In 2011 only the consumptions related directly to La Nochevieja
Universitaria reached a revenue of 150,000 euros. To ensure that everything runs
smoothly the municipality strengthens the police presence as well as the intensity
of the cleaning services.
So, as you can see, if you are in Salamanca on December 11, 2014 it is almost obligatory to attend La Nochevieja Universitaria. It might even be a good idea to invite your friends over and let them experience this unique event and its atmosphere. After all, it’s not every day you will see something like this…
No comments:
Post a Comment