New Year's Eve in Peru 2024 – a quiet New Year

New Year's Eve in Peru is usually an event full of noise, color, and hope. Anyone who has ever been here knows that people prepare for the new year days in advance, buying yellow clothes, piling up fireworks of all sizes, and placing life-sized straw dolls in the streets. These dolls—often dressed in masks, old clothes, or even suits—symbolize the past year, which are burned at midnight. The smoke is supposed to drive away all the bad, and the flames are supposed to make way for the new. There are also countless rituals meant to bring good luck and prosperity: eating twelve grapes at midnight, wearing yellow underwear for wealth, or carrying a suitcase around the block to wish for travel in the new year.

Peru can do more...

All of this is part of the cultural landscape. But 2024 was different for us. This year didn't begin with laughter, music, or the usual chaos on the streets. This year was overshadowed by grief. My father-in-law had died shortly before, and his death weighed heavily on the family.

Even the days leading up to New Year's Eve had nothing festive about them. Normally, at this time of year, Piura is filled with an almost electric atmosphere. The shops are bustling with people doing last-minute shopping, stalls sell colorful wigs, masks, and noisemakers. Even in the smallest villages, people are decorating, preparing, and discussing where to celebrate. But in our house, silence reigned. The death was still too fresh, the grief too great, to think about celebrating. Instead of hectic activity and laughter, there were muted conversations, reflections, and memories.

On the afternoon of December 31st, the relatives gathered. The house filled up, but the atmosphere was different from previous years. There was no laughter, no music. The conversations revolved around him—the father, father-in-law, grandfather, who had left so suddenly. Everyone had their own memories. Some spoke of his strictness, others of his care. These were little stories that kept him alive for us, even though he was no longer there.

ForeverFig.com - Character matters

The food was on the table as usual—chicken with rice, lemonade, and chicha morada. Normally, beer or pisco might also be served this evening, and the atmosphere would be lively. This time it was different. People were eating because they had to, not because they wanted to. It didn't taste like a celebration. It tasted like duty.

As it got dark outside, we heard the first fireworks. The streets were filled with the usual exuberance. Children ran around with firecrackers, neighbors lit rockets, and the sky began to turn into bright colors. Normally, this would be the moment to go outside, laugh, and join in. But we stayed inside. No one had the strength or desire to be part of this celebration.

Midnight was fast approaching. Outside, the grand spectacle began. Fires from burning dolls blazed everywhere, the sky was brightly lit, and the streets were filled with smoke and the smell of burning fabric. For most, it was the beginning of a new year full of hope. For us, it was a reminder that someone was missing.

✔ Perfect for families, schools and anyone who wants to combine history with fun
A book for everyone who likes to laugh and still wants to learn something. ","contentAlignProduct":"Center","infoProduct":{"id":"gid://shopify/Product/15103941804376","title":"Perusina & Perusino – Gods with Superpowers – Inca Edition","currencyCode":"EUR","amountMax":"18.0","amountMin":"18.0","price":"18.00","compareAtPrice":null,"imagesUrl":"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0651/5841/4573/files/Perusina-Perusino -gods-with-superpowers-Inka-Edition-PeruMagazin-65875407962456.png?v=1753188306&width=600","urlStore":"/products/perusina-perusino-gods-with-superpowers-inca-edition","altImage":"Perusina & Perusino – Gods with Super Powers – Inka Edition - PeruMagazin"},"colorTitle":{"hue":213,"brightness":0.83,"saturation":1},"colorPrice":{"hue":0,"saturation":1,"brightness":0},"colorDiscount":{"hue":356,"saturation":0.74,"brightness":1},"isRemoveBranding":true}

Perusina & Perusino – Gods with Superpowers – Inca Edition

18.0 EUR

Perusina & Perusino – Gods with Superpowers – Inca Edition
Release date: June 15, 2025. Pre-order now!
Two cheeky children, a legendary empire – and all sorts of chaos with llamas and gods: "Perusina & Perusino – Gods with Superpowers – Inca Edition" is an extraordinary children's book about the Inca Empire – humorous, wild, and full of exciting facts.
With black humor, childish With curiosity and a lot of nonsense, Perusina and Perusino explain how the Inca really lived, who their gods were and why a corn cake is sometimes more dangerous than lightning.
✔ For children ages 6 and up
✔ Ideal for reading aloud or reading by yourself
✔ Knowledge about the Inca Empire – presented in a cheeky and entertaining way
✔ Perfect for families, schools and anyone who wants to combine history with fun
A book for everyone who likes to laugh and still wants to learn something.