2023’s problems and peeves go up in smoke on ‘Good Riddance Day’
- Event at Times Square in New York City asked people to write down what they wanted to leave in the old year and light it on fire
- Some sought to get past anger issues and bad relationships, while others hoped for more humanity in 2024
Magician Devonte Rosero burns notes written by people in Times Square in New York City on December 28, 2023. The burning was part of an event called Good Riddance Day, where people wrote their frustrations or problems on slips of paper that were then burned, symbolising hope for a better year ahead. Photo: APOne person wanted to get past anger issues. Others sought to turn the page on medical bills, work stress, insecurities, taxes, regrets, bad habits, bad hair days, Covid-19, worrying about what other people think, and “all negativity of 2023.”
People hoping to shed those and other problems converged on New York City’s Times Square on Thursday for “Good Riddance Day,” a promotional pre-New Year’s Eve event that offers a chance to, at least symbolically, cast away burdens, peeves and bad memories.
“The whole world is going through this. There’s lots of people going through bad experiences. Wars, inflation, life has been rough. I’m just hoping for 2024 to just give everyone a break from those terrible things,” Angel Villaneuva, from the US state of Washington, said after watching his problems – bad relationships and negative energy and experiences – go up in smoke.
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Previous iterations of “Good Riddance Day” have involved shredders and a dumpster. But this year, Magician Devonte Rosero took a grill lighter to pieces of paper on which Villaneuva and others had written down what they wanted to put behind them.
For Carol Vera, that’s fast food and unhealthy snacks, now that she’s learned she has high cholesterol levels. But on a broader level, the New Yorker is sad about conflict around the world.
“We should be focusing on humanity, instead of fighting with each other,” Vera said.
Natasha Naheir was keen to be done with college applications, school, bad hair and make-up days, and fake friends. Naheir, who was visiting from North Carolina, is excited for 2024: “There’s a lot we can improve from this year,” she said.
Despite all the troubles of 2023, Villaneuva is optimistic, too.
“Some people might think it’s too good to be true to be hopeful or to wish for something, but I like to stay hopeful and positive,” he said.