The festival of Halloween has ancient pagan origins, which on the night of October 31 celebrates the recurrence of Samhain, 'November' in the Celtic language when, according to the tradition of the peoples of the North, winter and the end of the harvest were celebrated with bonfires, masks and carved pumpkins or turnips.
Starting from the eighth century, the tradition joined the Christian tradition that paid homage to the dead: evil spirits entered the villages to frighten the inhabitants, who disguised themselves to make themselves unrecognizable. Today, the festival has turned into dramatic parades and disguises that mock and exorcise fear and, in the United States, into the ritual of trick-or-treat. Here are the most spectacular festivals and venues around the world.
In Celtic Ireland, where it all began, the evocative Púca Festival (pucafestival.com), inspired by the ancient celebrations of Samhain, is staged. It is held annually in County Meath and neighbouring Louth, bringing up to date in a creative and engaging way the characteristic elements of the Celtic festival: fire, music and dance, handicrafts and harvests. To celebrate Ireland as the birthplace of Halloween, Púca's events include a spectacular re-enactment of the symbolic lighting of the Samhain fire, live music and performances, light installations, a farmers' market, themed tours and workshops.
In Romania, a visit to Bran Castle, Dracula's dark and terrifying manor, is a must. Its enchanted-looking towers, long haunted corridors, and dark halls are the ideal place to celebrate Halloween. The story goes that Prince Vlad Tepes, known as Dracula, was only locked up in the castle for a few days, but the terrifying structure became a terrible vampire mansion in the imagination of writer Bram Stoker. Today, the castle preserves the history of the rulers of the Kingdom of Romania who chose it as their official residence, although one room still houses a portrait and the legend of the prince with the eyes of fire. A few kilometers away, the medieval town of Brasov is famous for the largest Gothic church in the country, the Black Church, and the narrowest street in Europe, the Rope Road. It was in the hills that Vlad tortured his enemies tied to wooden poles, leaving them for days as a warning for future attacks. Follow the cemetery-lined road to Sighisoara, where Vlad's birthplace is now an inn.
In Edinburgh you can walk along the charming Royal Mile, the historic road that connects the Castle (edinburghcastle.scot), perched on an extinct volcano, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Scotland's capital, known as one of Europe's most haunted cities, is the ideal destination this time of celebration for Hallowween. Mercat Tours offers walking tours that unveil sinister stories of the city's dark past; City of the Dead Tours takes the bravest to some of Edinburgh's most haunted sites, including Covenanter Prison.
Mexico celebrates the 'Dia de Muertos', a festival that has its roots in pre-Columbian culture. The celebration of the Mexican indigenous people for their ancestors has merged over the centuries with Spanish Catholic culture, giving life to a festival where religion and spirituality address the theme of the afterlife and the mystery of death in a natural and playful way.or, with a background of joy that becomes a celebration of life itself. Among painted skulls in the shape of sugar sweets, colorful altars and skeletons with colorful clothes, you can perceive a form of simple continuity between life and death that soothes the soul. Being in the middle of the Dia de Muertos celebrations is undoubtedly a way to immerse yourself in the authenticity of the place: great parties take place in Mexico City, in the southern part of the country and in the Yucatan Peninsula. With kibotours.com it is possible to combine guided itineraries in search of Mexican traditions and seaside stays on the wonderful Riviera Maya.
The program of Halloween celebrations in New York is rich including parades, themed shows, potion lessons, tours of spooky cemeteries and the inevitable ritual of trick-or-treat, trick or treat. The most famous parade is the Village Halloween Parade, on October 31, from 7 pm to 11 pm, between 6th Avenue and Canal Street to 15th Street. To get in the mood, it's a good idea to visit Gravesend Inn, the most high-tech haunted house in the city, created by students from the New York City College of Technology. Lights, sounds, ghost pirates, and other characters will scare visitors young and old. For witches and warlocks, don't miss 'The Cauldron', a laboratory of magic potions in the form of cocktails in two locations: a historic one on Stone Street, where a costume party will also be organized on the 28th evening, and one just inaugurated a few steps from the Flatiron. Lorely's haunted beer garden is also trendy, with drink specials and pumpkin beer. Finally, it's the right time for a trip to the Green-Wood Cementery in Brooklyn: located next to Prospect Park, it organizes a range of events, from night visits to the catacombs to the Día de los Muertos parade. Info: nyctourism.com
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