Seeing in the New Year in Sorrento

Piazza Tasso is Sorrento's traditional
gathering place at New Year

Corks will be popping and the bars will be busy as local residents and visitors see in 2012 in Sorrento.

Il Presidente della Repubblica, Giorgio Napolitano, will have delivered his Messaggio di Fine Anno -- end-of-year message -- from his official residence, the Palazzo del Quirinale, in Rome, shown on most of the Italian television channels at 20.30.

This will have been followed on Rai Uno by L’Anno Che Verrà, a live programme of pop and entertainment to see in the New Year.

New Year’s Eve is known as la Festa di San Silvestro in Italy when families and friends traditionally get together for a special dinner.

There are midnight fireworks displays in many city squares as well as at private parties. A custom that is still followed in some parts of Italy, particularly in the south, is throwing old, unwanted possessions out of the window to symbolise your readiness to accept the New Year.

In Sorrento, the main square, Piazza Tasso, is the traditional hub of festivities, where crowds celebrate into the early hours.

Buon Anno from Best of Sorrento.

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