Halloween Around the World
Halloween is traditionally a time to pay homage to the dead. These days in Britain and America it is a night for fun and mischief. Some countries in Europe still believe in honouring lost spirits and celebrate All Hallows Eve. In Asia Halloween is a sacred festival which is often held in July or August. | | Austria
People leave bread, water and a lit lamp on their table on Halloween night, because it was once believed that leaving refreshments would welcome the dead back to earth. Belgium
Candles are lit on Halloween night in order to remember the dead. Canada
Since the arrival of Irish and Scottish immigrants in the 1880s, Canada celebrates Halloween in a similar fashion to the British. Jack-O’-Lanterns are carved and houses are decorated with pumpkins and corn sticks. |
France
Halloween is not celebrated by the French in order to honour their dead ancestors. Germany
Knives are put away on Halloween night, so that no harm will be caused to any returning spirits. Mexico, Latin America And Spain
Among Spanish-speaking nations, Halloween is known as "El Dia de los Muertos." It is a happy celebration in order to remember those loved ones who have died. The festival begins on Halloween and finishes on 2nd November. People believe that the dead return to their homes, and to honour them many families build alters and decorate them with flowers, sweets, water and dishes of the deceased favourite foods. Candles of incense are burned in order to help the departed find their way home. Family members also tidy the gravesites of the deceased and decorate them with flowers and wreaths. On 2nd November, family members of the deceased hold picnics at the gravesite so that they can reminisce. In Mexico during autumn, many Monarch butterflies can be seen in the oyamel fir trees, and it believed that these butterflies bore the spirits of dead ancestors. Sweden
Halloween is known as "Alla Helgons Dag" and is celebrated from October 31 until November 6. As with many other holidays, "Alla Helgons Dag" has an eve which is either celebrated or becomes a shortened working day. | 
