In Germany Halloween has only become a thing in recent years and primarily in the cities. Here in the rural areas I am sure that many of the older people have never heard of trick or treat.
One Holiday to rule them all
In fact, here in Germany it’s probably more of a combination of different events and holidays that preexisted here: On November 1th, All Saints Day is celebrated as a holiday, especially in catholic regions. Similar to the Mexican Days of the Dead (which are important to Lina’s girlfrind Junika!), the deceased are remembered here. Traditionally grave lights are lit on this day in cemeteries. If you are not afraid (like us =) ), on this day it is a really wonderful experience to go to the cemetery in the dark. There you can see a sea of lights shining in peacefully quietness (Hey! That’s a term I’ve already used in the last post =)).
Then on November 11th, there are lantern parades in honor of the church’s Saint Martin. And on the following days we used to go from door to door with the lanterns and singing songs for sweets … at least when we were children.
And finally there is carnival at the beginning of the year, when young and old dress up to cast out the winter.
We ourselves have been celebrating Halloween for quite some time now as a kind of harvest festival (a bit like Thanksgiving) with a gruesome touch.
I can even remember when we were kids our mom used to carve lanterns out of sugar beets for this cause, which we always thought was awesome.
Happy Halloween
Whatever the occasion and the days that followed, remembering your dead, thanking nature for a fruitful harvest, and being able to dress up in a beautiful spooky way is a great thing – at least from my and Lina’s perspective! =)
Credits
Outfit, shoes, broom and scarecrow: everything selfmade!
Special thanks to our Mom who sewed Luise’s dress 30 years ago
and to CFF Druck for the print on Lina’s shirt. =D