Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble! From
ghoulies and ghosties and long leggety beasties and things that go
bump in the night, Good Lord, deliver us! The Scots describe perfectly
all our hidden fears which are brought to the surface when we (laughingly?)venture out on the night of ghosties.
It is an ancient feast whose name comes from Hallow E’en or All Hallows Eve, the night before November 1st, All Saints Day, which is still an important religious festivity in Italy and has been so since the Roman era. The date has been changed several times over the centuries, but the modern version is significantly followed on November 2nd by the Feast of the Dead.
The American version of Halloween Day comes from the ancient Druid
fire festival called Samhain or the Feast of the Sun, celebrated by the Celts in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. It was the feast of the gods, faeries, witches and the dead. Most of today’s festivities are therefore remnants of ancient religious beliefs and rituals. Halloween
has only recently been introduced in Italy, but is rapidly growing in popularity.
Many discos and private clubs, as well as restaurants, organise parties, dancing, meals and games and try to recreate the somewhat gruesome atmosphere required by this festivity. It has also taken on a sort of Carnival-like aspect thanks to a rigorous use of wildly imaginative costumes, makeup wigs and masks.
Possibly Italian creativity will end up beating the American celebration at its own game, but, who knows!
Keep your eyes skinned for Halloween events in the city, there will be plenty going on in all the night spots and restaurants, so you need not feel you are missing too much of what is going on at home!
[Susan Glasspool]

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