跨文化的饗宴  萬聖節活動 Halloween - Small Country's Tradition

from Irish pagan, and later Christian traditions. As the Irish migrated from their tiny island, this holiday became celebrated in the USA. There, it evolved, and through globalization has spread to most parts of the world. It met the same fate as many other old celebrations. The main meaning was ribbed out, and all that is left is a shell reinforced by commercial interests serving people's entertainment.

        Now, that is a pretty gloomy view even from the Halloween perspective.

Let me sweeten it up a bit with some positive aspects. Yes, in general, I do not like people being lured into celebrating foreign holidays. It leads to the disruption of nations' own traditions and to turning originally meaningful customs into empty charades. At the same time, however, it gives people from very different backgrounds a chance to share a similar experience.

        Despite all the education and access to information about other cultures, we still tend to get divided by differences. In an ideal case, these differences should trigger curiosity, learning, exploring, respect, and tolerance, but that requires a lot of effort from all involved. Truly, it can be exhausting. After all,

encountering very different cultural aspects can feel like your own core values are under attack. In such times, a common experience and non-conflicting topic can bring a pleasant break from tensions. Seeing that we share something with people from the other side of the globe can help us relax and establish a common ground for developing understanding, collaboration, and friendship.

        We can look at Halloween as something foreign and intrusive but we can also see it as something that can help us unite rather than distance ourselves from each other.

        And, one more thought. This holiday came from Ireland, an island not much bigger than Taiwan, yet it is celebrated around most of the world. Even small countries can make a significant impact on the global community.

Therefore, Taiwan, do not look down on yourself. Keep your head up high! Feel free to celebrate Halloween; just remember that you, too, have a lot to offer to the rest of the world.

Halloween around the World

白緒承，李凱翔

       In Mexico, people build a personal altar with Sugar Skulls, marigolds, and the deceased's favorite doods.  They take these items to the cemetery to pay homage to the deceased.  The origin comes from the Aztec Culture. They believe that death is not the end of life, but only the beginning of the next life.

Hence, the soul never dies.  For Mexicans, in addition to letting go of death, it is also a tribute to life.

李柏叡，彭鉑鈞

        Every country has its own unique cultural traditions, and Halloween, which is eagerly awaited, also has different styles in various places.  In Ireland, there is a special cake called Barmback.  It is a sweet fruit cake that contains some items like rings or coins, symbolizing what the future holds.

        Additionally, one of the most famous activities in Ireland during Halloween is "Apple Bobbing."  This game dates back to Roman times.  On Halloween, unmarried young people float apples in water or hang them from trees, trying to bite into them.  The frist person who succeeds is said to be the one who will get married soon.

林宜謙，許芷寧

       Guatemala is a country located in North America, bounded to the north and west by Mexico.   Festival de Barriletes Gigantes is held by them at the beginning of November to honor the Day of the Dead.   Handmade kites can be seen soaring all over their country on that day.  The kite flying practice is believed to drive away evil spirits and to serve as a beacon to guide the souls back home.  Another saying is that it's a way of communicating with the dead in heaven.  Compared to Taiwan's Qingming Festival, Guatemala's Day of the Dead has more colors and music.  In Guatemala, people also go to cemeteries on this day to pay homage to the death.  In addition to cleaning, they decorate the cemetery  with colorful colors.

白緒承，李凱翔

       In France, people celebrate All Saint's Day to experience the joy of those who put Christ at the center of their lives and to live in the hope of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The way the French celebrate Halloween is different from other countries.  They usually choose to go to the cemetery to lay chrysanthemums and sweep the graves of their ancestors, just like the Qingming Festival in Chinese society.

黃睿婕，蘇貽

       In Australia, they celebrate Halloween by holding an event named “Ghostly Wildlife Night.”  This event not only allows people to enjoy Halloween festivities but also raises awareness about local conservation efforts.  In this event, they walk in the forest at night, learning about local wildlife.  This helps them potentially spot kangaroos, koalas, and possums in their natural nighttime walks.

馮威皓，林聖哲

      In Scotland, during Halloween, Scortish couples throw hazelnuts into the fire.  If they burn quietly, it predicts a happy union.  If they hiss and crackle, it predicts a troubled future.  Hazelnuts are burned on Halloween because it is widely believed among Scots that the fruit of the hazel tree provides knowledge and wisdom.