[Dec. 2024] We went to Piazza Tasso, the central square of Sorrento, southern Italy on New Year’s Eve.
As expected, a large crowd was gathered there.
Loud, beat-heavy music was playing, but by around 11:30, there was no one on the stage.
Soon, four people took to the stage and performed a parade of familiar oldies, such as ABBA and Eurythmics.
They were quite good singers, and the performance was enjoyable.
I have no idea who they were, though.
They were shouting, “Sorrento is the tourist capital.”
Nice thing to say, but of the many tourist destinations in Italy, I don’t think Sorrento is that important.
A huge crowd gathered around the huge Christmas tree, which was out of place in this small town.
Probably, people from all over Sorrento and tourists were gathered here.
Adults wearing headbands with 2025 written on them and gold top hats were noticeable, carrying champagne bottles (prosecco, perhaps).
And then the countdown.
When the clock struck midnight, there was a big cheer and the sound of bottles being popped was heard.
And then, fireworks were set off here and there.
The quality of the fireworks was not great, but I was impressed by the quantity.
The songs on stage continued, and this time it seemed to be mostly Italian hits that I didn’t know.
We left at a moderate point.
I’ve become not so fond of crowds lately, probably because of my age, but this kind of New Year’s Eve excitement is auspicious.
We felt a little younger and excited.
Maybe it was good that it had been a while since we last went out for this kind of gathering.
Last year I was unwell and spent the day quietly at a hotel, and the year before that we were disappointed in Salamanca, Spain.
By the way, in nearby Naples, the New Year’s Eve revelries almost always result in deaths.
Apparently they celebrate not only with fireworks, but also by setting off handguns, and people get hit by stray bullets.
Why even carry guns in the first place…?
In comparison, Sorrento was very peaceful, and we welcomed in the New Year in a bright and happy manner.
