New Year’s Eve is often seen as not just the end of one year, but the beginning of another, offering people around the world the chance to reflect on the past and look forward to the future. This year was no different, with celebrations bursting forth across the globe and unique moments capturing the spirit of hope and reconciliation.
One standout event came from Brazilian muralist and designer Auxi Silveira. Known for her vibrant expressions of nature, Silveira took to Instagram on December 31 to share her latest artwork, which echoed her personal wishes for the upcoming year. The digital painting featured her vibrant portrayal of a bird, representing freedom and hope, with the text "Mais caminhos abertos, proteção e fartura" (More open paths, protection, and abundance) written below it. Silveira expressed her surprise as the post quickly went viral, reaching nearly three million people and garnering over 82,000 likes.
"I think the occasion of New Year helped this. It’s art with a message that's personal, yet many can relate to it," Silveira remarked, reflecting on how shared aspirations often resonate deeply with the collective spirit of the New Year. Her work, which she created using the Adobe Fresco software, highlights her connection to nature and personal narrative as she melds her art with her lifestyle aspirations.
Silveira’s goals for 2025 are ambitious. She intends to create more personal work rather than working primarily for brands, ensuring her artistic endeavors are aligned with her personal aspirations. This shift signals not only her desire for professional growth but also reflects her hope for broader paths of opportunity both personally and communally.
On the international stage, the New Year’s Eve celebrations had their own surprising moments. Kanye West, known for his unpredictable antics and past controversies with pop star Taylor Swift, showcased what seemed like newfound harmony during his New Year’s celebration held on the picturesque shores of the Maldives. During his DJ set, West delighted the audience by mixing Swift’s hit “Shake It Off” with his own track “Carnival.” This playful moment marked what could be interpreted as a significant step toward reconciliation between the two artists, who have had a rocky relationship since the infamous 2009 VMAS incident.
Videos from the event show audiences of all ages dancing alongside West, who seemed to be enjoying the festive atmosphere. One report noted, "Kanye surprised the audience during the New Year’s celebration by playing Swift's hit 'Shake It Off,' hinting at reconciliation," which perfectly encapsulated the spirit of New Year—a time for forgiveness and moving forward.
Meanwhile, back in Brazil, preparations for the Jogo Aberto New Year’s special were underway. Renata Fan and her team provided fans with behind-the-scenes glimpses of their production, showcasing the excitement and anticipation of the first broadcast of 2025. This program not only captured sports highlights but also celebrated the New Year, setting the tone for viewers eager to embrace the year ahead.
These stories create a rich fabric of New Year celebrations, each reflecting individual hopes, larger social dynamics, and the universal yearning for fresh starts. For Silveira, West, and television personalities alike, the New Year holds promise. And as Silveira poignantly noted, "Desejo que os caminhos estejam abertos, mas que também saibamos caminhar e abrir esses caminhos, porque eles não vêm sozinhos. Eles se abrem enquanto estivermos andando para frente e tentando," translated as, "I wish for the paths to be open, but we must also know how to walk and open these paths, as they do not come alone. They open as we walk forward and try."
The sentiment shared by these figures highlights the mixture of personal aspirations and public moments of unity, emphasizing the significance of individual and collective well-wishing as we move forward together throughout 2025 with renewed hope.