Silent Night As Madrid Marks New Year

The traditional New Year’s celebrations in Madrid were quieter this year.

With many restaurants still closed, the doce uvas de la suerte of grapes and cava were consumed alone or in small groups of no more than 6 people.

The Puerta del Sol was closed to the few revellers from 9.30pm and Nacho Cano took centre stage to sing one song; “Un año más,” just before the clock on the Real Casa de Correos struck midnight.

The classic hit was sung to an empty Puerta del Sol in tribute to the more than 50,000 victims of the Covid-19 pandemic in Spain.

The rest of the capital was quieter still as families took to zoom and the telephone to wish loved ones a happy new year.

The police reported less than 50% less callouts than in 2019 with 951 police interventions which included dispersing 185 gatherings of more than the permited 6 people.

In addition police broke up 52 brawls and removed customers from two bars that had exceeded the maximum capacity under the covid regulations.

Madrid´s medical emergency services SAMUR also reported a quiet night with 109 callouts compared to over 200 last year.

The fire brigade were called out 27 times across the capital compared to 50 on New Years 2019 including 3 burning recycle containers,  4 kitchen fires and one person trapped in a broken down lift.