Halloween 2019 is here already!

Even though it is the first half of October, Halloween is in the air. You can feel it, smell it, and see it.

When this special time of the year comes, we can divide the American families into two categories: the soft and the hard core. The first group has friendly Jack O’Lantern, ghosts, or scarecrows in their front yard.

Instead, the other group is definitely more ‘intense’. I recently found behind my neighborhood a huge crowd of zombies, spiders, skeletons, and scary clowns all rigorously moving. Mr. Mark’s fantasy did not miss anything, or anyone… He is a genial mind. His organization was pretty creepy!

In Italy, we celebrate the Saints Day & Death Day right after Halloween, so there must be somehow a connection to this. October might probably be a date when human and not are connected to each other.

Hallows’ Evening started as a pagan Celts of Britain and Ireland celebration for: Samhain on October 31 as the end of the season of the sun and the beginning of the season of darkness. It was believed that on this day the souls of the dead revisited their homes. Bonfires were lit to chase away evil spirits.

This year will fall on Thursday 31st, 2019. Halloween is an event celebrated now in most of the countries, also in Italy children dressed up, knock at neighbor’s door asking the famous question: “Trick or treat?” However, do we know where are the roots of this international event?

It is amazing to see how divergent histories, religions, and cultures may celebrate this dark event in such a respectful and proud way. This is why we are living in the USA.

Antonia L. Mosca