Halloween

(明報)2010年10月28日 星期四 05:10

【明報專訊】When the TV is flooded with commercials about haunted houses and scary movies, you know Halloween is soon to come. Halloween, which falls on October 31, is one of the oldest and most popular festivals. It is said that, on Halloween, the gap between the living and the dead dissolves and the dead may take lives. That day, to protect themselves, people honour and remember the dead.
Common Halloween activities include trick-or-treat, going out in costumes and visiting haunted houses. Nevertheless, every country has its peculiar way of celebrating Halloween..

In the US, Halloween represents religious and pagan beliefs, rituals and traditions. Though it is believed that Halloween originated in the US, it was brought to America in the 1840s by Irish immigrants who fled from famine (饑荒). Halloween celebrations officially began in the US in 1920. During the festival, people pay tribute to departed souls. Americans believe that, on Halloween, souls would come to this world to visit their living relatives.

Trick-or-treat is popular with American kids, who usually dress up in fancy costumes and "threaten" to do house owners mischief unless they give them sweets. Another popular activity is having masquerades (化裝舞會).
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In Germany, costume parties are common on Halloween. Kids have fun by going from house to house to ask for candies and snacks. Halloween is characterised by an annual pumpkin fest in Austria called Kuribisfest. It is a celebration with parties and parades.

Stories about witches contribute much to the atmosphere of Halloween in Germany. It is believed that the Harz is a place where witches were worshipped as forest goddesses in the 18th century. Witches were subsequently condemned as evil creatures.