The Times Square Ball Drop is an iconic New Year's Eve tradition watched all over the globe. The ball descends 141 feet (43 m) in 60 seconds down a specially designed flagpole, beginning at 11:59:00 p.m., and stops at midnight bringing in the New Year. The ball drop was organized by Adolph Ochs, owner of The New York Times. The ball drop has been held annually since, except in 1942 and 1943 in observance of wartime blackouts. Each year at least one million people, locals and tourists, come together in Times Square to witness the ball drop and welcome the New Year.
At Ganatra Law, we never drop the ball!
We are based in Manhattan, New York, pretty close to Times Square. Our amazing location in the heart of one of the greatest financial centers in the world uniquely positions us to provide exceptional US legal advice for global business.
The Twelve Grapes of Luck (Las doce uvas de la suerte) is a Spanish tradition that dates back from at least 1895 but became established in 1909. The tradition consists of eating a grape with each chime of the bell that rings in the New Year at midnight of December 31st. Each grape is believed to bring good luck for one month in the New Year. Eating more than 12 grapes has been observed to add only more calories but does nothing for the fortune count. Puerta del Sol square in Madrid is one of the most popular gathering spots in Spain to partake in this tasty tradition.
At Ganatra Law, we believe luck favors the well-nourished mind. We'd love to toast good fortune with you in 2016 over a glass or two of "grape juice."
In Scotland, Stonehaven, the New Year's tradition of “Hogmanay” involves making "balls" of chicken wire and flammable materials attached to wire or chain. As the sound of Old Town House bell, the New Year revelers march swinging the burning balls around their heads as they go. The idea is to burn off the bad spirits left from the old year so that the spirits of the New Year can come in clean and fresh.
At Ganatra Law, we swing for the fences with fiery zeal every day!
In Denmark, if you want to wish friends or family good luck for the coming year, you hurl dishes at their front door on New Year’s Eve. More broken dishes equal more loyal friends and more prosperity. The goal, it would seem, is to have the largest pile of broken dishes littering your front door as you begin the New Year.
At Ganatra Law, we appreciate and cherish accolades from clients...although we'd prefer the ol' email or telephone call instead of dishes whizzing our way!
The "Songkran" festival is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year's Day from April 13 to 15. The holiday is known for its iconic water fights in which celebrants (including sacred elephants) splash water on each other. A good soaking and cleansing welcomes the New Year.
At Ganatra Law, we never let anything douse cold water on our passion for excellence. Speaking of "hydration," we are fortunate to be based in Manhattan, New York City, which has the finest tap water in the world!
In Talca, Chile, locals gather in the graveyard on New Year's Eve to bring in the New Year with their relatives who have passed away. Thousands of people listen to classical music while being surrounded by candles in the graveyard. This otherworldly tradition echoes the universal truth that while a "new" year arrives every 12 months, our deep connection with loved ones who have passed never grows old.
At Ganatra Law, we gladly put in a graveyard shift or two to ensure that our clients can rest...err...with peace of mind. As a US law firm with a global perspective and practice, we are always watching out for our clients no matter the place or time.
"Takanakuy" (to hit each other) is a Peruvian New Year "contact" tradition of fighting your fellow man or woman to settle scores before heading into the New Year with a clean slate and some “badge of honor” bruises perhaps. Those fighting politely call out their opponents by name before letting loose a barrage of punches. Ow!
Needless to say, Takanakuy is not a part of Ganatra Law’s repertoire of settling disagreements. We happily build bridges and practice "non-contact" methods of strategic thinking, spirited negotiation and spot-on documentation.
At the stroke of midnight on every December 31st, Buddhist temples all over Japan ring their bells a total of 108 times ("Joya no Kane"). According to Buddhist tradition, the 108 bell rings purify mankind from the 108 passions and desires accumulated during the old year. The bell is rung 107 times on Deccember 31st and once past midnight on January 1st.
At Ganatra Law, nothing will free us from our passion and desire to ensure that our clients’ legal affairs are as sound as a bell!
On New Year's Eve, the Finnish people practice "uudenvuodentina," the tradition of predicting one's fortune in the New Year from the contours of fantastically shaped molten tin that has been rapidly cooled. A tin or lead good luck charm, usually in the shape of horseshoe, is melted and the molten metal is poured into cold water. The shape of the cooled metal is interpreted symbolically: a bubbly surface refers to a prosperous New Year; a fragile or broken shape implies a future fraught with misfortune.
With Ganatra Law, a safe prediction is that we will always do our best to keep our clients in great shape every day of the year. No melting or cooling required!
Come New Year's Eve in Romania, some folks can be observed attentively listening to animals in the hopes of catching tidings for the New Year! We can only imagine the last thing they want to hear is a beastly prediction!
At Ganatra Law, we are good listeners and our clients always have our ear!
The one New Year's Resolution you must make is: Check Out Ganatra Law in 2016!
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