Everyone was full of big plans for New Years - should we go out to Zadar, Split or even Zagreb? So and so is playing here, so and so is playing there. So many fantastic and exciting options. The chatter in Tisno regarding everyone's New Years plans filled the cafes of Tisno from Christmas Day right up until New Years Eve itself. Opcina Tisno (Tisno Council) allowed for a party to be help in the Kino Sala (the hall located behind the summer cinema). But for many this was deemed boring, unoriginal - people wanted a New Years to remember, as does everyone. I wasn't too fussed, as I was surely to remember this New Years no matter where I ended up going or what I ended up doing - this was my first New Years in Croatia and the first time I'd experienced a winter New Years Eve.
Aside from where to go and what to do, much of local conversation revolved round fireworks! Everyone was being very secretive, or overly boastful, about their firework supplies. There was a unspoken competition as to who would present the biggest and the best fireworks display (I'm not 100% sure if fireworks are legal or not in Croatia, but I'm guessing that if they are illegal, the local police turned a blind eye for this one evening). People in Tisno are practically one big family (there are also many who are related to each other and can name all their first, second, third, fourth cousins etc without hesitation - family and family connections are extremely important). They've known each other all their lives, seen each other on a daily basis and have lived their entire lives within the 2km radius of Tisno. So all this commotion about fireworks is best likened to your average sibling rivalry - 'No, mine's going to be better' / 'No, MINE's going to better!" / "NO, MINE IS'.
Anyway, when New Years Eve eventually arrived, our most people's 'big plans' dissipated (as usual, who could be bothered to drive to Sibenik, Split, Zadar, it's too cold, too far, where would we sleep) and most people resolved to content themselves with the party which was to be held in the Kino Sala. We spent the early evening having a barbecue at a friend's place, whilst assessing our firework supplies. At the stroke of midnight, we and a number of out people around Tisno ignited their fireworks (being a windy evening, we almost had a bit of an accident, as some of the smaller fireworks about-faced and were close to ending up inside the house - this could be one reason to outlaw them...). It was a bit of a higlty-piglty display, obviously nothing compared to the Sydney Harbour Display I had become used to, but the excitement of New Years was in the air. This followed by everyone trying to guess who let off fireworks na ratu (at the rat part of town), u vili (at the villa), u selu (in the town centre), and of course, which were the best.
We headed down to the kino sala where the music was blaring and everyone was packed in like sardines. I was a bit disappointed that New Years wasn't held in the old Go-Go Club, as it was the previous year (the old Go-Go club was located in the old bunar (water well) beneath the opcina building (council chambers). This literary underground club was popular in the 1970s and 80s, but had to unfortunately close due to noise complaints by neighbouring residents. A big Booooo!). Once inside you forgot about the Arctic temperatures outside, especially after you downed one, two and great deal more drinks. The night passed with a lot of singing and dancing, and drunken behaviour (nothing new for Tisno), but everyone was in great spirits, as usual too! Again, I'll refrain from posting photos, as many may find them somewhat embarrassing.
I think I left at about 3 or 4am, but the party was still in full swing. At about 9am the following morning, I walked passed on my way to buy some bread (Yes, 9am. I have a bizarre inability to sleep in). The music was still going and a number of them weren't at all keen to end the party any time soon.
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