Honduras
Alejandra Maria Escobar Santos
Each year on Dec. 31, families gather in the Barrio La Hoya neighborhood of Alejandra Maria Escobar Santos’ home city, Juticalpa, Honduras, for the “Año Viejo,” or the “old year” celebration.
“Neighbors get together to make the Año Viejo, a lifesize humanoid figure with clothing and accessories, made mostly of fireworks,” Escobar Santos says.
To end the year with a bang, Año Viejo is ignited into a spectacle of light. The fireworks explode in various styles and shapes, including long chains of explosions and unique butterfly shapes. At midnight, families hug to celebrate the year to come.
“I love this tradition, as I’m always with my family. And before midnight, we always sing happy birthday to my cousin, Maria Jose, born the 31st, as well as make a prayer for the family.”
