October in Charlotte is when autumn kicks into high gear. Pumpkin patches emerge everywhere and candy sales soar. Halloween festivities are a given in the United States. While the holiday’s origins stem from Celtic cultural and Christian religious traditions, if you grew up here, chances are pretty good most of that got buried under mounds of candy and your ghost costume. Each of us has our own memories and either love or hate the holiday.
So what about other countries?
A quick look at http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Halloween-Around-the-World/ highlights comparable celebrations around the world. Explore Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico, the bonfire tradition commemorating a British traitor on Guy Fawkes Day in Great Britain, and the Japanese tradition of lighting candles to guide the spirits of their ancestors to where they were born.
A glance at http://studenttravel.about.com/od/coolevents/ss/halloween.htm suggests some not-to-miss parties around the world during this time. Whether you’re in Ireland, France or Thailand, there’s a celebration worth attending!
For more information on festivals commemorating the dead around the world, check out: http://nerdygaga.com/937/weird-halloween-celebrations.
Have a safe Halloween!
October 29, 2010
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