Tomorrow is October 31st, 2011- A day with a connotation to Death and Spirits... celebrated in various ways in many countries...
Just to give you an idea, here are a few:
Mexico and the Hispanic communities in the US have "El Dia de los Muertos", a ritual to mock death.
France has la Toussaint, All Saints' Day, when people take flowers to the graves of dead relatives. It is also done all over Europe and the US...
But October 31st is also... Hallowe'en !!!!!!
Hallowe'en is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, (Samhain signifies "summer's end") when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts.
Nowadays, Hallowe'en evolved into a secular, community-based event, characterized by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. Many communities around the world started marking the night of the holiday... (After all, it is also a profitable business...)
Hallowe'en does not exist in Israel. Some say that "Purim" is the equivalent... but without the trick-or-treat part.
Purim is a day where children go to school all excited and dressed up. It is one of the most joyous and fun holidays in the Jewish calendar. It commemorates a time when the Jews living in Persia were saved from extermination. Parades and parties everywhere... candies too, of course...
Purim usually takes place in March... so until it arrives, Sofi Hagirafa is having a virtual Hallowe'en, just for the fun of it because Hallowe'en is fun!,
And for fun facts about this night,do not be frightened... ;)
Sophie The Giraffe in Israel wishes Happy Halloween
to those of you who celebrate it !
And see you again at Purim!
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