Halloween and All Saints in Saragossa
Halloween has become increasingly popular in many parts of the world, including Saragossa. Halloween Night is the most terrifying. They go out to the street to play trick or treat and children and not so children dress up as witches, ghosts or characters from horror movies.
The next day we celebrate All Saints’ Day where deceased loved ones are honored, cemeteries are visited and flowers are placed on the graves.
And in our bakery we also celebrate with the most terrifying cakes and desserts in the city.
What is the origin of Halloween?
The celebration was born in Celtic culture and is traditionally celebrated in countries such as Canada, the United States, Ireland or the United Kingdom.
This tradition has reached Spain and Saragossa and now we celebrate Halloween Night and All Saints’ Day.
Halloween has its roots in an ancient Celtic holiday called Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”). Samhain marked the end of summer and the beginning of winter in the Celtic calendar, and it was believed that during this time of year, the barrier between the world of the living and the world of the dead became thin. The spirits of the dead were thought to return to Earth in search of living bodies to possess.
With the arrival of Christianity, the Catholic Church attempted to Christianize existing pagan holidays, and Samhain was transformed into All Saints’ Day, also known as All Saints’ Day, celebrated on November 1. The night before All Hallows’ Day became All Hallows’ Eve, known as All Hallows’ Eve. Over time, “All Hallows’ Eve” was shortened and became Halloween.
Over the centuries, Halloween has become a popular celebration in several countries, especially in the United States, where it has become a festive and commercial holiday with costumes, decorations, and candy. Despite its pagan roots, the modern version of Halloween is a primarily secular and cultural holiday.
Why do we dress up on Halloween?
The tradition of dressing up on Halloween has roots in ancient Celtic and European celebrations, especially a practice called “guising.” During Samhain, the Celtic holiday that marked the end of summer and the beginning of winter, the spirits of the dead were believed to return to Earth. People dressed up in animal skins and masks to scare away these evil spirits. It was also believed that by wearing costumes, people could blend in with spirits and avoid being possessed by them.
With the Christianization of pagan holidays, especially with the transformation of Samhain into Halloween, the tradition of guising adapted and evolved. In the Middle Ages in Europe, people used to go door to door on All Hallows’ Eve (which later became Halloween), asking for food and candy in exchange for praying for the souls of the dead in homes. of the donors. This practice was called “souling.” Trick-or-treaters often carried images of saints and dressed up to represent the spirits of the dead.
Why are pumpkins typical for Halloween?
The tradition of carved pumpkins with spooky faces, known as “Jack-o’-lanterns,” comes from an Irish legend about a man named Jack, who tricked the devil and was condemned to wander the Earth forever with a burning coal inside. of a hollow turnip to light his way. When the Irish came to America, they discovered that pumpkins were plentiful and easier to carve, so they began using pumpkins instead of turnips.
Trick or treat
The tradition of trick-or-treating as we know it today became popular in the United States in the 20th century. The idea was for the children to dress up and go door to door asking for candy. If they were not given candy, the children might play a prank or trick. This tradition has spread to many parts of the world and has become an integral part of Halloween celebrations.
How is All Saints’ Day celebrated in Saragossa?
All Saints’ Day is a Christian holiday celebrated on November 1. It is a day on which the Catholic Church honors all the saints, all the people who have achieved holiness and communion with God in heaven.
In Saragossa, Spain, All Saints’ Day (November 1) is a nationwide holiday. During this date, people honor their deceased loved ones by visiting cemeteries and placing flowers on graves. Cemeteries in Saragossa, as in many other parts of Spain, are often especially busy on this day, as families gather to remember their deceased and pay tribute to their graves.
Families often bring fresh flowers, especially chrysanthemums, to the graves of their loved ones. Churches also often hold special services in honor of All Saints.
It is a deep-rooted tradition in Spain, and Saragossa is no exception, to dedicate this day to the memory of deceased loved ones and spend time with family to honor and remember those who have passed away.
How is Halloween celebrated?
Halloween is celebrated in various ways in different parts of the world, but in its traditional form, especially in English-speaking countries, people dress up as famous people, monsters, witches, ghosts and other spooky beings.
Homes and businesses are decorated with Halloween themes, including pumpkins, spider webs, skeletons, bats and other scary objects.
The children dress up and go door to door asking for candy. Traditionally, if the owner of the house does not give them treats, the children may play a little prank or trick on them (hence the name “trick-or-treating”).
They also watch horror movies or themed series to get into the spirit of the season.
Costume parades, pumpkin festivals, and fireworks displays are held in some cities.
Halloween-themed sweets and desserts, such as ghost-shaped cookies, “blood” punch, and other spooky sweets, are also made or purchased.
How is Halloween celebrated in Saragossa?
The city offers a varied offering for Halloween, activities prior to the All Saints’ festivity that are distributed throughout venues, party halls or neighborhoods of the city.
Amusement Park on Halloween
The Saragossa Amusement Park celebrates the Halloween party by transforming the venue into the scene of the scariest party of the year in Saragossa with activities such as:
Spooky Circus, Face Painting, Halloween “The Origin”, and Bye–bye Halloween with a monster parade before the park closes.
Halloween at the Saragossa Aquarium
The Saragossa Aquarium will have various activities for the whole family. The galleries of the enclosure are filled with tombs, pumpkins and spider webs, animation of actors with face paint and terrifying big heads.
Halloween in Puerto Venecia
In Puerto Venecia they celebrate Halloween with decoration and activities for all audiences: such as the Terror Passage, Zombie Invasion, Zombie Kids or the Great Trick or Treat
Aragonia
In Aragonia there will be the Haunted House and there will be monstrous workshops.
Church of Saint Paul
From grave to grave in San Pablo
In the Church of San, the guided tour “From tomb to tomb” tours the church in the Gancho neighborhood, discovering tombstones, tombs and tombs. During the visit you will learn the history of some of our ancestors and ancient rites and customs related to death.
Night Parties
Many bars, nightclubs and entertainment venues host Halloween parties. Events often include costumes, themed music and contests.
Terrific cakes and desserts
In our bakery we also celebrate Halloween with Cakes and Cakes decorated with ghosts, tombs, bloody eyes or terrifying pumpkins.
Cakes to celebrate Halloween
Frankenstein cake inspired by one of our favorite horror characters made with spinach and lemon sponge cake, covered and filled with cream cheese and decorated with chocolate Frankenstein.
Terrific Cake made with a tender carrot cake that combines with the aroma of cinnamon and the freshness of the cream cheese, and decorated with chocolate pumpkins.
Creepy and bloody cake made with two layers of tender chocolate sponge cake filled with cream and raspberry jam, and topped with cream and cherries in syrup.
And the favorite of the season: Wednesday Addams Cake. Our Red Velvet decorated with chocolate bats is inspired by Wednesday Addams and his dark personality.
They will also be available in your favorite pastel format.
And as always, also gluten-free!
