Nochevieja en España: cuartos y 12 campanadas (y las preuvas)

Nochevieja en España: at twelve o’clock on the dot we eat 12 grapes, one with each chime of the clock. Many people follow it on TV, watching the broadcast from Puerta del Sol.

First, the “cuartos” ring: short preliminary chimes that set the rhythm. After that come the 12 campanadas for the grapes. (In Spanish, “cuartos” are those short, preliminary chimes before the main strokes.)

Tip A2: prepare 12 grapes on a plate before midnight, take a breath when the cuartos start, and then eat one grape in time with each chime. (Eat one grape for each stroke of the clock.)

Preuvas: a rehearsal on December 30th at midnight in Puerta del Sol. Young people and tourists go there to test the sound and eat grapes or jelly sweets. It’s almost a tradition now.

Tip: if you go out to the square, wrap up warm (it’s winter). After the grapes, many people make a toast with cava and send “Feliz Año” (Happy New Year) messages.