New Year

As we begin a  New Year, I thought it would be fun to look at New Year traditions in books. In Book of Madness and Cures, Gabriella describes the traditions in Venice which involve huge bonfires in which everyone tosses old things into the fire.

This practice is discontinued but it was celebrated in Renaissance Venice. 

I sort of like the idea of literally tossing out the old--old furniture, old love letters--but it is sort of fire hazard today.