Bur­ning wishes

Russians take their New Year wishes very seriously. Right before midnight of December 31, we articulate our wishes, quickly put them down on a piece of paper and burn it. Then we sweep the ashes into a glass of champagne and drink it. You have to finish it before the clock strikes 12. Usually we check with the chimes on the Kremlin's Spasskaya tower — the stream is conducted annually on every local TV channel just after president's New Year speech.

Thus, we have only 40 seconds to get the job done.

Making wishes in three simple steps

Step 1:Write down the wish

Write down the wish
5 seconds

Step 2:Burn the note

Burn the note
25 seconds

Step 3:Put the ashes into a glass of champagne and drink it

Put the ashes into a glass of champagne and drink it
10 seconds

What kind of paper can be burned in such a limited time?

Horizontal position

Tissue
Paper
Postcard

At an angle of 45 degrees

Tissue
Paper
Postcard

How big a piece of paper for New Year’s wishes could be?

The note burns faster when rotated by 45 degrees 😊

So wish mindfully!