Before discussing if Halloween should or should not be imported to and celebrated in Italy, I find it useful to tell something about its origins.
Halloween grew out of the rituals of Celts celebrating a new year, and out of Medieval prayer rituals of Europeans. The word 'Halloween' comes from a contracted corruption of 'All Hallows Eve', the 1 st of November, 'All Hollows Day' (or 'All Saints Day')( 'The History and customs of Halloween'). Irish and Scottish immigrants carried versions of the traditions to North America in the nineteenth century. As regards customs, people dress up during this day: the Celts thought they had to protect themselves from ghosts and goblins; 'one story says that, on that day, the disembodied spirits of all those who had died throughout the preceding year would come back in search of living bodies to possess for the next year (History and customs of Halloween). Another way to scare evil spirits is to use pumpkins, originally called 'Jack-o-lantern' : Irish people used turnips to create them, but when they went to live in America they couldn't find enough turnips and for this reason they started to use pumpkins instead. Other typical customs are: Trick or treating, bobbing for apples and telling stories about ghosts.
In my opinion, there is no reasons to stop the importation to and the celebration of Halloween in Italy. The only thing that I don't accept is the business created around this event; I mean, shop windows are all dressed with fancy dresses, pumkins, everything which can scare during the night of this day. Furthermore, discos are open, pubs usually organize parties... don't you think that instead of celebrating Halloween people search for profits? Of course this has become the problem of every celebration, for instance the same thing happens at Christmas. I think that many people who celebrate Halloween don't know the reason and the origin of this event, they only know that they have to dress up following the models suggested by media. To conclude I would say that Halloween is a nice event, but it should be celebrated together with its cultural traditions and not imported just to make good profits.
Halloween grew out of the rituals of Celts celebrating a new year, and out of Medieval prayer rituals of Europeans. The word 'Halloween' comes from a contracted corruption of 'All Hallows Eve', the 1 st of November, 'All Hollows Day' (or 'All Saints Day')( 'The History and customs of Halloween'). Irish and Scottish immigrants carried versions of the traditions to North America in the nineteenth century. As regards customs, people dress up during this day: the Celts thought they had to protect themselves from ghosts and goblins; 'one story says that, on that day, the disembodied spirits of all those who had died throughout the preceding year would come back in search of living bodies to possess for the next year (History and customs of Halloween). Another way to scare evil spirits is to use pumpkins, originally called 'Jack-o-lantern' : Irish people used turnips to create them, but when they went to live in America they couldn't find enough turnips and for this reason they started to use pumpkins instead. Other typical customs are: Trick or treating, bobbing for apples and telling stories about ghosts.
In my opinion, there is no reasons to stop the importation to and the celebration of Halloween in Italy. The only thing that I don't accept is the business created around this event; I mean, shop windows are all dressed with fancy dresses, pumkins, everything which can scare during the night of this day. Furthermore, discos are open, pubs usually organize parties... don't you think that instead of celebrating Halloween people search for profits? Of course this has become the problem of every celebration, for instance the same thing happens at Christmas. I think that many people who celebrate Halloween don't know the reason and the origin of this event, they only know that they have to dress up following the models suggested by media. To conclude I would say that Halloween is a nice event, but it should be celebrated together with its cultural traditions and not imported just to make good profits.
See you soon,
Elisa
3 comments:
Hallo Elisa, How are things? I've read your post. I think we all should be aware of what we are celebrating. Anyway the most important thing is the meaning we give to our happy moments. Let's take Christmas: it is an Assyrian festivity imported by the Romans mainly for political reasons. But I bet you would surely have another idea of Christmas, don't you? Ok, See u!!!
Hi elisa,the stuff u wrote about the origin of Halloween is interesting...well...u're right, people who celebrate this feats do not know anything about it. I think we should consider Halloween like a Carnival.See u around,cheers
Hi Elisa, sorry to disturb you, would u be so kind as to tell me your nickname on delicious so that I can add u to my network?
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