Halloween night in Siena: trick or treat?
Halloween: a festival with ancient Celtic roots
Halloween originated in ancient times, and not in America. Indeed, it is wrong to believe that the Americans invented this festival, as modern films and literature seem to imply. In fact, Halloween has its origins in the emerald isle of Ireland. It is based on an ancient Celtic celebration: Samhain, the Celtic New Year. Among the Celts, the ancient festival of Halloween served to exorcise fear of the spirit world and the land of the dead. On the night of October 31, the Celts came together in the woods or on the hills to light the “Sacred Fire” and gather round eating animal sacrifices. The Celts wore grotesque masks during the ritual and lit their way with lanterns made from hollowed-out onions. They filled them with embers taken from the “Sacred Fire”. The festivities continued for three long days, during which the Celts clothed themselves in skins taken from the sacrificial animals: intended to frighten and so to ward off any evil spirits. As time passed, the Irish adopted the custom of leaving food and milk outside their front doors during Samhain. This offering was intended as refreshment for the souls who came to visit their homes. Moreover, it persuaded the spirits not to play tricks on the living.
From Ireland to Italy: how we celebrate Halloween today
Halloween is not part of our cultural tradition, and yet we have fallen under its spell. It all started a bit quietly, but now Halloween is celebrated throughout Italy. So it is not unusual to encounter vampires, mummies or ghosts on the night of October 31. We have also adopted the traditional symbols of this festival, such as the undisputed star of Halloween: the pumpkin. In line with the Anglo-Saxon tradition linked to the story of Jack-o’-lantern, we also now illuminate our homes and shops with candles inside hollow pumpkins. However, the most amusing element, especially for children, is the custom of “trick-or-treat”, when youngsters, disguised as witches, skeletons or ghosts, knock on doors and ask: “Trick or treat?“. In fact, this is based on the traditional belief that the living would be able to dissuade the spirits from playing tricks by offering them food. Nowadays, Halloween parties are often held at nightspots in many Italian cities, as well as specially organised children’s events. The charming city of Siena is also an ideal place to spend a very memorable Halloween 2018. Indeed, on the scariest night of the year, the city offers a good variety of events for adults and children. Another reason to come and stay in one of the hotels in the Siena Inns group.