| Halloween was originally a pagan holiday celebrated | | | | Belgian people do not open their doors to |
| by Celtic people and born from the pagan holiday | | | | unknown persons - including children - and we are |
| "Samhain".Samhain is a holiday that celebrates the | | | | not welcomed to ask for candies. By the way, |
| dark season of the Celtic year. Gallic people also | | | | many children are fighting in the streets to steal |
| celebrated this holiday; which was called | | | | candy from others.French people think that this |
| "Samonios". Samonios has been replaced in Gallic | | | | holiday is too commercial and while this country |
| countries by Christian celebrations.Samhain was | | | | finally adopted Halloween in the late 1990s, it is |
| celebrated three days before and three days | | | | now less appreciated. There are very few children |
| after November 1st and the origin of there was | | | | ringing at the doors and asking for sweets.English |
| no carved pumpkin nor trick or treating. People | | | | people celebrate the Guy Fawkes Day on |
| had a lantern made out of a turnip. The | | | | November 5th and adopted many customs from |
| celebration was strictly observed by the whole | | | | Samhain. These festivities are marked by |
| society and gave the opportunity to every | | | | torchlight parades where children use masks |
| barbarian to eat, drink and have fun.Over the | | | | made from beets and pumpkins.Scottish people |
| centuries, continental Europe converted to | | | | practice their ancient pagan rites. Children wear |
| Christianity and abandoned Samonios in favour of | | | | costumes and cut scary faces into large |
| All Saints Day and Samhain became All Hallow's | | | | rutabagas and place a candle inside them. They |
| Eve.However, the Halloween that we currently | | | | receive candy when they provide a nice |
| celebrate has nothing in common with | | | | entertainment to their neighbours.Trick or treating |
| Samhain.Halloween and All Saints Day are still | | | | originated in Ireland, so as usual, Irish children in |
| interrelated because Halloween means "The Night | | | | disguise will enjoy the Halloween festivities, they |
| Before the Feast of All Saints" and "All Hallow's | | | | will carry lanterns cut into large rutabagas. Children |
| Day" is our Continental All Saints Day.All Hallow's | | | | will be received by their neighbours with sweets |
| Eve; which evolved during the Christianization of | | | | and Irish houses will be decorated with Halloween |
| European populations, was imported in America by | | | | lights.Spanish people enjoy each kind of holidays |
| European colonists and the current Halloween | | | | and parties. Their kids will then enjoy receiving |
| holiday was created by the Irish emigrants.In | | | | candies from their neighbours and adults will have |
| Belgium, two villages still celebrate Samonios | | | | the opportunity to have a Halloween party in each |
| (Samhain), born from All Saints Day, Grindin and | | | | and every club. Spanish people also organize many |
| Saint Gregory holidays. One of these villages is | | | | Halloween parades.Portugal does not celebrate |
| Gouy-Lez-Pieton. A friend of mine lives in Gouy | | | | Halloween; Portuguese people celebrate the Day |
| and when I talk about Halloween, she says: "We | | | | of the Dead by organizing feasts at the |
| did not replace Saint Nicholas holiday by Christmas | | | | cemetery.Some regions of Italy organize |
| so, we will not replace our All Saints Day and our | | | | Halloween Events and it seems that the Italian |
| Day Of The Dead by Halloween!" However, she | | | | children enjoy this holiday.Other European cities |
| agreed to organize a Halloween party with me | | | | and clubs organize commercial events for |
| next year.Here are some countries which | | | | Halloween (mainly for tourists), newspapers publish |
| celebrate Halloween:If some continental European | | | | articles dedicated to Halloween, but I am unsure |
| countries adopted Halloween, this has not been | | | | that people really practice Halloween. There are |
| without difficulty. Indeed, we consider this | | | | very few information about Halloween festivities |
| celebration being too "American Marketing" style. | | | | in Europe; especially Central and eastern Europe. |
| European people give more value to their culture | | | | They stick to their own All Saints Day and Day |
| and traditions than to commercial events.Belgian | | | | Of The Dead.Australia and New Zealand begin to |
| people celebrate Halloween since more than ten | | | | enjoy Halloween.USA, Canada, and Quebec: |
| years but Gouy-Lez-Pieton refuses to adopt it, | | | | Halloween is very much appreciated and I think |
| preferring to celebrate their own Samhain-style | | | | that only some worldwide disaster should prevent |
| holiday. Even if Belgian people organize a Day | | | | these people to celebrate Halloween.Since some |
| Before Christmas dinner, they still offer gifts to | | | | years, there is a growing interest on the part of |
| children on December 6th and not on December | | | | the Chinese population for western events: |
| 25th. So, I doubt that my country will replace All | | | | Chinese people enjoy Halloween parties. |
| Saints Day by Halloween.On the other hand, | | | | |