University New Year's Eve

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 10^th 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 11^th 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…

What is the University of Salamanca’s new years Eve?

Here are some articles we have written other years about this event:

- Eve Universitaria Salamanca 2011

- Eve Universitaria Salamanca 2010

-New Year's Eve 2009 SalamancaUniversity

For a brief summary, a few days before the students studying in Salamanca - Spanish or foreign - return home to celebrate Christmas with their family, they celebrate new years eve all together first in the Plaza Mayor and then later in the streets and bars of the city.

It is not an old tradition - perhaps only 15 years old  and the first time it was held was between a small groups of friends but it has grown and is not only in Salamanca. The other night, there was expected to be expected to nearly 40,000 people, perhaps more eating the typical grapes (normally made of jelly), to celebrate in advance the arrival of the new year. The origin of most people will be Salamanca but also from other parts of Spain , for example, Portugal and even Europe.

It started at 21.45 in the Plaza Mayor with live performances on stage which lasted until twelve o'clock, when all attendees ate the 12 grapes that were given out before ( imitating the Spanish tradition of eating grapes on 31st December  at the stroke of midnight). From there, the party moves to the bars and clubs of the city.

Many staff were there to avoid problems with the crowds in the Plaza mayor in the  minutes immediately preceding and following the event.

We assume that the students had a good time and we hope they all went to class the next day!

Happy new year!

University New Year´s Eve, Salamanca 2012

University New Year´s Eve is nearly upon us. Staying true to tradition this year it is happening two weeks before the 31st December on the night of Thursday 15th.

Nochevieja Universitaria- University New Year´s Eve

What is University New Year´s Eve? In the Spanish blog there are several references to this event: "Nochevieja Universitaria de Salamanca", "Nochevieja Universitaria de Salamanca, huérfana", and "Vuelve la Nochevieja Universitaria". This tradition is relatively new, the first one took place about 10 years ago. Officially this year it is the seventh University New Year´s Eve but it had started some years before 2004 without official event organisation. It all originated from the minds of a group of party loving students who always sought new ways to enjoy themselves. They spontaneously decided to celebrate new year on the last Thursday of term before the Christmas holidays commenced. It was a way in which they could celebrate the end of the year together given that many students that study here are from different parts of Spain and therefore would not be together for celebrations on the 31st. And so that´s how it all began... the students´ idea to celebrate with their friends on a small scale caught on and a new tradition was born. Now this event constitutes an unmissable celebration in the University social calendar.

It all kicks off at 10.30pm in the Plaza Mayor with live music from DJ Javi Reina and the house violinist Miguel Lara before the clock strikes 12. On each strike we will eat a marshmallow (instead of a grape which is the tradicion in Spain). Afterwards we will follow the crowds to the bars to continue the celebration. Excited much?