From the rather boisterous celebrations of early times to the somewhat more sedate, if informal, event of today, the Levée has evolved into an occasion to call upon representatives of the Sovereign, military, and municipal governments, to exchange New Year’s greetings and best wishes for the coming year, and to renew old acquaintances and meet new friends in a convivial atmosphere.
The quote above is from this Government House press release which includes an extensive history lesson on the origins of the New Year's Day levées. These celebrations are common around here but largeley unknown outside the Commonwealth. (Heck, even here where there are about a half dozen a lot of people don't know about them).
One year I managed to attend three levees -- along with tiny servings of food (soup, teacake, or appetizers) there's usually some form of alcoholic punch. They are however popular enough that one spends the bulk of one's time waiting in line.
1 comment:
I've never heard of a levée before. I guess we don't have them down here, or else they're called something else.
Sounds like it could be fun. Free alcoholic punch would make the wait worth the while, I think.
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