Halloween Made In Belgium

In Belgium, Halloween connects with the day before the catholic festivities "All Saints Day".

Indeed in our country, November 1st and November 2nd are respectively "All Saints Day" and "Day of the Dead".

We thus always spend this period seriously, cleaning the tombs of our ancestors and parents and it is also, for some of us, the opportunity to meet members of our families who we did not see for some time.

A few years ago, we discovered an American holiday: Halloween. Since it occurs in the night from October 31st to November 1st, it overlaps our "All Saints Day".

Halloween's festivities began in great cities such as Brussels, Liege, etc. Small cities followed and villages have now also their Halloween parade.

Belgians citizens are organized. They decorate their houses, stores, bars, restaurants: "Jack-o'-lantern" at the window, garlands, false cobwebs, and persons are masked as wizards and witches.

Some schools organize a Halloween night before the "All Saints Day" holiday.

In certain communes, tank and masked people parades pacing the streets before scattering to go to knock at their neighbours doors screaming the famous "Trick or Treats" sentence.

Our fellow citizens are not accustomed yet to this new "tradition" and they do not always have the necessary material to satisfy the wizards and witches. Some of them even do not open their door. But as a whole we can say that our little wizards return rather satisfied with what they received.

I live in a small village somewhere in the country and last year I saw a torchlight Halloween procession. It was beautiful! I am waiting for Halloween day, hoping this kind of procession will still take place this year and wishing our children will receive tons of candies once again.

However, there are two small deceptions: Halloween was Europeanized and since Belgians always make things the best they can our little wizards beg candies during all the "All Saints" week: before, during and after the Halloween day ;-)

Then, the (re-)birth of this feast in our catholic countries would tend to laicize our community and we are losing the religious festivities significance.

While waiting the October 31st recreation I wish you a Happy Halloween.

About the author:
I'm an European history and tarot cards passionate; crazy about Halloween and always looking for the best and most creative Halloween ideas to help you make the most of your Halloween party.

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