The Mauritian diaspora from all over the world celebrate New Year’s Eve with joy. And this despite a small pinch in the heart of being far away from her loved ones. However, they praise the technology that allows them to exchange vows with loved ones.

Essam Limbajee from Dubai: “We will be in the desert to see the fireworks”

The New Year is celebrated with great fanfare in Dubai. The city in the United Arab Emirates will attempt a new record for fireworks displays. Essam Limbajee, 31, doesn’t want to miss this event. “On New Year’s Eve there is usually a lot of traffic. This Saturday we will be in the desert to admire the fireworks. That saves us traffic jams. I will be with my wife, Samirah Limbajee, and my daughter, Eilyana Limbajee, who is only three and a half months old. It will be his first New Year’s Eve,” says this Emirates airline Airport Services supervisor.

Essam Limbajee is also joined by a group of friends. Together they set up their tent, light a campfire and prepare the grill while waiting for the stroke of midnight. “I will call my family in Mauritius to tell each of them my wishes. I will have a pang in my heart because I will be far away from my loved ones. Luckily I’m not alone, because my wife and daughter are with me,” he says.

In addition, Essam Limbajee is also a part-time DJ. He will go out around 1am to entertain at a nightclub before resting at home. Lunch at a friend’s house is planned for January 1st and Essam Limbajee will join his friends for dinner on January 1st.

Canada’s Sandeep Custnea: ‘We’ll be together over fried chicken’

Last year Sandeep Custnea celebrated New Year’s Eve in Mauritius. This year he will be based in Canada, specifically in Edmonton, the capital of the province of Alberta. He has lived there for fifteen years. “At midnight (Mauritius time) I will call my 84 year old mother to wish her a Happy New Year. We will have a drink from a distance to share this moment of joy. Fortunately, social networks and technology make communication easier. We used to send greeting cards,” he says.

Around 8 p.m. in Edmonton, Sandeep Custnea will be sitting at the table at home with his wife and two children. “We will gather around a roast chicken, champagne and pastries, among other things. I will invite friends who are in a relationship to spend New Year’s Eve with us,” he says. At midnight they watch the fireworks that announce the new year, the sky is lit up. However, he points out that the misfires are prohibited unless the individuals make a request to the “fire department”.

Kajal Dhora from Dubai: “I’m remotely sharing a glass of champagne with my parents”

Kajal Dhora has been based in the United Arab Emirates since 2015. On the afternoon of December 31, she goes out with her friends. “We will start New Year’s Eve very early with a brunch. The meal lasts until dinner. Then I will go home. Like every year, I’ll be home at midnight to welcome the new year,” she said.

Kajal Dhora reports that Dubai is busy with the arrival of January 1st. Celebrities are present in pubs. “There’s ecstasy in the air on New Year’s Eve, especially since skyscrapers like Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab put on the best fireworks shows at midnight,” she said. Kajal Dhora has a special thought for her parents. Also, she’ll call you at midnight sharp. “I’ll have a glass of champagne with my parents from far away,” she concludes.

Luciano Azor from Luxembourg: “I celebrate New Year’s Eve twice”

Luciano Azor, 24, has lived in Luxembourg for three and a half years. This math professor admits that the New Year passes almost unnoticed. “National Day is celebrated with fervor every 23 June. On New Year’s Day, on the other hand, it is rather quiet, Luxembourg does not waste money to welcome the new year. However, people have fun. They buy their fireworks and gather in the capital for the countdown,” he says.

This Saturday, December 31st, he will have dinner with his best friends at the restaurant. “Even though I cook good food, I don’t like to cook that day,” he admits. He and his friends then go to a nightclub to have fun.

As every year, Luciano Azor will make a video call with his family. Taking into account the three-hour time difference, he will not make his call at 9 p.m. (Luxembourg time and midnight in Mauritius) but a little earlier, around 8:30 p.m. “It’s a tough and moving moment because I would have loved to share this moment with my family in Mauritius. Later I will celebrate with my friends. So I will celebrate the New Year twice,” he said.

Luciano Azor does not fail to wish all Mauritians a Happy New Year 2023. He has a special thought for those who are facing loneliness, poverty or health problems. “I carry her in my heart,” he concludes.