In Europe, Halloween is primarily the feast of the dead. With the famous “trick or treat” but not only. Depending on the country this maY differ. First of all, Halloween has its origins with the Celts, around 600 years BC and not from the United States. The night before November 1st is known as the Night of the Death God (Samain). This is the night when ghosts visit the living. So following the emigration of the Irish and Scottish to North America in the 19th century, the festival moved there. Originating from an English expressiOn “All Hallow’s Eve” which means “the eve of the feast of all saints”.

“The Night of the Nutcracker” in England,

Halloween was once called “Nutcracker Night” or “Apple Crisp Night” in England. This is dUe because English families gathered around the fire would tell stories while eating hazelnuts and apples. On this day, the poor were given cakes called “spirit cakes”.

“Gaelic Oíche Shamhna”, Ireland

Known as the Gaelic Oíche Shamhna, it literally means late summer night. Celebrated for centuries, on Halloween night children and adults dress up as evil creatures, bonfires are lit and fireworks are set off across the land. If we started digging pumpkins “Jack’O’Lantern”, we owe it to the legend of an old Irishman. It was the name of an Irishman, too miserly and too drunk, who did not deserve paradise and whom the devil did not want either, who therefore Found himself condemned to wander the earth. Since the pumpkins are too heavy, they are no longer carried at arm’s length, like the weight that weighed on Jack O’Lantern.

Beets rather than pumpkins, in Flanders

In Flanders, on the occasiOn of Saint-Martin, children indeed dig beets and drill holes in them to represent a grimacing face lit by a candle placed inside the beet.

La Rommelbootzennaat, in France

In France, Halloween is not celebrated so mUch. But in Lorraine, the Rommelbootzennaat (night of the grimacing beetroots in Francique Lorrain) comes from an old Celtic festival. This tradition has been maintained in German-speaking Lorraine. On All Saints’ Eve, children carve grimacing heads out of beets, vegetables and the like. Placed on window sills, wells, cemetery walls or at crossroads to scare passers-by.

The 800 skulls in the Cathedral of Otranto, Italy.

Tutti i Santi, November 1, is an important religious holiday when families visit cemeteries and leave fresh flowers on the graves of loved ones. They do the same during “the day of the dead”, when the deceased are honored and chilDren often receive gifts.

Transylvania, Romania

If we talk to you about Halloween, we cannot forget the most faMous Count “Count Dracula”. In the footsteps of the most terrifying vampire in history. In one of the regions of Romania, Transylvania is home to many castles, some of which are said to be haunted. Dracula’s Castle. This tour is a must if you come to Romania for Halloween. Don’t miss the Halloween party at HunEdoara Castle or the Halloween Masquerade Ball at Bran Castle (from Dracula). This place learned some vestiges of the first Halloween parties.