Newcastles Newsletter Christmas 2019 & New Year
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Christmas 2019 Newcastles News New Year 2020 The Newsletter of the “Newcastles of the World” Alliance www.newcastlesoftheworld.com and a Happy See the last page for New Year ! information about our conference in April in Switzerland and how you can be a part of it! A NEW NEUCHÂTEL IS SHAPING UP Whilst local people are enjoying the beautiful Christmas lights (left) at this time of year, a new commune of Neuchâtel is starting to take shape. Following much consultation and discussion, the local governments of Neuchâtel, Peseux, Valangin and Corcelles-Cormondrèche have begun the process that will see the establishment of a single municipality, to be officially born on January 1, 2021. The new commune of Neuchâtel, with 45,000 inhabitants, will become the most populous commune in the canton. Violaine Blétry-de Montmollin, municipal councillor of Neuchâtel, is co-chair of the steering committee that is already at work to oversee a territorial merger and development plan, ready for the new political team that will be elected in June. The excitement is building in Nové Zámky See pages 2 and as it prepares to begin its special year as Slovak City of Culture. 3 for more about the Christmas The launch event is on 23 parade and other January, and the city says festive season “It will be an unforgettable attractions in evening full of artistic New Castle, experiences, emotions and Pennsylvania- surprises awaits us. Let's and in other enjoy it TOGETHER ...” Newcastles. We all know that the Christmas markets in Germany There’s still time to are very special - and the market in NEUBURG AN sign up to join us at DER DONAU is no exception. The historical our Newcastles of “Christkindl Markt” (Christmas Fair) is held in the the World historical part of Neuburg on the 2nd and 3rd weekend in December. The Karlsplatz is filled with conference in booths offering freshly-baked gingerbread, roasted beautiful Neuchâtel, chestnuts and Gluehwein (mulled wine). Within the Switzerland, from castle walls visitors can admire displays of 21 - 28 April. See the traditional arts and crafts at the “Lebende last page for more Weihnachtswerkstatt” (Christmas workshop). details. www.newcastlesoftheworld.com www.facebook.com/nclsoftheworld https://twitter.com/NCLsoftheworld enquiries - [email protected] IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME ! PREPARATIONS FOR CHRISTMAS AROUND THE NEWCASTLES - CAPTURED IN PHOTOS In Nové Hrady, Czech Republic, early December brought the celebration of “Mikulas” or Nicolas. Some (mainly European) countries mark December 5th/6th as the memorial day of Saint Nicolas, third century bishop of Myra. It’s in the appearance of his helpers that the local traditions differ. In Central Europe, the helpers are devil-like figures and their origins go back to pre-Christian Nordic and Greek mythology. Dressed in animal hides, with horns, and a tail, they look like satyrs and fauns. Large masks or make-up are used to strengthen the scary impression. They carry chains indicating they had been tamed and are now helping their Saint. They also often carry bells, large jute sacks, and rods of birch branches. In the Czech The cobblestone streets and Republic, on Mikulas’ eve, groups consisting of one saint, often one angel, and several little picturesque squares of the devils roam the streets and visit the houses to find out which children have been good old town in Herceg Novi, our and which have not, and chase away bad spirits. This dressing tradition has survived Newcastle in Montenegro, are to this day, and is still very pronounced and purposely scary. displaying enchanting festive decoration. Here is a unique hand-made reindeer, sleigh and snowman, and all of them came from the Peulic family workshop. Father Zivko and son Ivan are skilled craftsmen, with many years of experience in mask making and carnival decorations. The holiday season in downtown New Castle Pennsylvania began on November 23 - it included the Grand Opening of this year’s Outdoor Ice Skating Rink (open for longer this year), the annual Holiday Parade (see below for more photos from the parade), a Pop-Up Family Festival, and the annual Light-Up Night: Tree Lighting and Pyrotechnico Fireworks display. The agency “New Visions” runs “Hometown Holly Days” with the help of dozens of community volunteers and partners, who not only helped in coordinating the kick-off, but with a host of activities throughout the holiday season. Activities throughout the month of December hosted by community partners include holiday movies at the historic Cascade Warner Theatre Museum, children’s activities at the New Castle Public Library, caroling at The Confluence, crafting at Status Party Room and Two Rivers Artisan Coffee Works, and horse-drawn wagon rides. The Fenwick (department store) in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK is famous for its Christmas window display. Since 1971 there has been a Christmas display in the shop's windows, and people come from near and far to look at them. Last year it was “The Snowman”, and this year its “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” - with detailed sets and sophisticated moving figures across its 6 windows that enchant children and grown-ups alike. Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes watches the giant Christmas tree going up in Newcastle Australia. 2 SHARING MORE OF THE CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE Looking good for Christmas - (left) the area around the famous courthouse of New Castle, Indiana. It's one of the first of its type of construction, on the National Register of Historic Places in the USA, and marking 150 years this year since its completion in 1869. Thanks to Kendra Kennedy of the City of New Castle for the photo. One of the country’s largest and oldest seasonal markets is held in Nyborg, our “Newcastle” in Denmark (right). There’s something for everyone to enjoy on the weekends before Christmas. Christmastime in Newcastle Ontario Christine McSorley explains what Christmas means for one of our smaller Newcastles: “Christmas brings our strong community together even more than usual, as we all support each other to create the best of the season for everyone within the community. Central to the many Christmas events that happen in Newcastle is the Business Improvement Association (BIA) one of four in Clarington municipality. Everything started this year on November 17th with the Winter Wonder Lights, the Community Town Hall lighting ready for the Santa’s Parade on the 19th, fireworks, marching bands, various floats, a walking letter box to mail your letter to Santa and a food donation collection for the Clarington East Food Bank, along with the special gentleman himself; Santa. And he made another visit to our village for the Santa’s Pancake Breakfast on November 30th. The festival of wreaths and trees is also a must to visit. The last Friday of November saw the Winter Market take place. A local photographer took pictures of children and others with Santa for donations, making a collection of $900 for the food bank. Another thing that has shown the community spirit all through 2019 has been the wonderful support and fundraising for Durham Region Hospice Clarington, culminating this year with a wonderful calendar highlighting work by local artists. And by December 2nd the Christmas weather had also arrived, delivering more than 6 inches (15cm) of snow! All of these events are what makes Christmastime special here in the Village of Newcastle Ontario Canada, made possible by the support of local businesses, volunteers and the people who live and care about their community. Merry Christmas / Joyeux Noel from our Newcastle to yours wherever in the world you may be Peace, Joy and Happiness for 2020” As well as lights and fireworks, at the town’s main museum in Newcastle-under-Lyme (UK), the Council’s arts and cultural officers have organised a free festive-themed events programme. The main gallery of the Brampton Museum has been transformed into a treasure trove as part of the annual “Buy Me for Christmas” exhibition which runs until 5 January 2020. A total of 30 local artists are showcasing their creative abilities – people can buy exclusive gifts such as handmade jewellery, artwork, ceramics, textiles, metalwork and glass. In Nové Zámky, Slovakia the whole of the month of December is filled with a rich cultural and religious programme. There’s a huge advent wreath (left) that decorates the main square, Christmas lights, children's performances, good music and a magical atmosphere. Lighting up everyone’s Christmas! ORGECO, a company based in Nové Zámky is one of the most important companies in Europe for the production of display lighting decors for Christmas interior and exterior lighting. As well as lighting for homes and gardens they specialise in decorations for parks, shopping centres, squares and entire town and village displays. 98% of the company's production has been realised abroad (European, Canadian, American market) and they have participated in creating the Christmas ceremonies in many places in Europe such as Paris, Monaco, London, Vienna, Madrid, Dublin, Prague and Rome. 3 TOURISM AND BUSINESS KOTA BHARU PROMOTES “VISIT KELANTAN YEAR 2020” In late November the “Visit Kelantan Year 2020” was launched by Minister of Tourism, Culture & Heritage for Kelantan state, YB Dato’ Md Anizam Ab Rahman at the most iconic tourism spot in Kota Bharu, the Sultan Ismail Petra Arch Square. Our “Newcastle”, Kota Bharu, is the capital city of Kelantan and does much to promote Visit Kelantan Year. Kota Bharu is the gateway to Kelantan, the land of Malay culture and heritage. The state is targeting six million tourists both local and international to visit Kelantan next year. The theme for Visit Kelantan Year 2020 is “family, food and festival” with a focus on the main products of tourism in Kota Bharu.