How Halloween is celebrated in Russia: traditions, features and history of the celebration

It is celebrated in almost all countries of the world, and depending on the venue, this holiday has its own characteristics and traditions. As Halloween is celebrated in Russia, where did he come from Ireland, where he was initially considered a kind of fight against the dark forces? This question is now of interest to many Halloween fans, since recently some disputes have arisen in the Russian state about this.

history of the holiday

It turns out that earlier in Russia they also celebrated something like this triumph of the dark forces. Only it was called differently - - and fell on the first Monday after Trinity.

At this time, our ancestors also dressed up in masquerade costumes, someone was a goat, someone was a pig, the third one imagined himself in the form of a horse. This whole mummed parade had a musical accompaniment of balalaikas and button accordions. This procession was directed into the field, where they made several volleys into the air from a gun, and then threw the horse's head into a hole and buried it. Thus, the farewell to the spring took place.

Is Halloween being celebrated in Russia now? In modern society, there are conflicting opinions and views about this pagan celebration.

Nowadays, when this holiday returned back to the Slavic country, but under a different name, few know what date Halloween is celebrated in Russia. The date of its holding falls on the night of October 31 to November 1 and is already perceived simply as an excuse for fun and interesting pastime with friends, and not as some kind of ceremony.

The most active participation in entertainment events dedicated to the celebration of All Saints Day is taken by young people, visiting clubs and discos on this day, decorated according to the theme of the holiday. But this celebration has not yet gained such popularity in the Russian state as in America, and therefore, getting ready for this holiday, you need to know how Halloween is celebrated in Russia.

Places to celebrate

And finally, the long-awaited autumn day has come for the fans of the holiday. Where is Halloween celebrated in Russia and where is it better to go on this holiday? Night clubs are considered the most suitable place for this event. Decorators usually decorate their interiors in orange and black colors and use it as a traditional attribute of this holiday.

On this day, you can dress up in some interesting way, since the festive program will certainly include a competition for the "best carnival costume". There is also an opportunity to participate in various contests and sweepstakes dedicated to this event.

Traditions

On this night, it is customary to light lanterns in order to drive away evil forces and various spirits from their home in this way. A favorite pastime of kids is the creation of Jack the Lantern, which is obtained by carving faces out of pumpkins, where a candle is then placed. According to legend, the lantern received such a name in honor of a blacksmith who wandered around the earth with a lamp, since he was not taken to either hell or heaven.

These are generalizing traditions for all countries, but each of the states has its own. For example, in France, at midnight hour, bell-ringers walk the streets of the city, informing the people that they need to hide faster in their homes in order to avoid meeting the spirits. All Mexicans on this day bake bread that looks like a real skull. And in the United States, kids put on a variety of fancy dress and go to neighboring houses with the words: "A joke or a treat!" People everywhere decorate their homes in orange and black colors - these are the colors that are the hallmark of this event.

Why is Halloween celebrated in Russia? The answer to this question is very simple - in order to have a good fun from the heart and in the gray autumn weekdays to feel a little holiday without any gloomy subtext inherent in this celebration in some countries.

Features and decorations

Since Halloween has been celebrated in Russia only since 2010, not everyone is familiar with the necessary decorations and the correct decoration of the premises where the "Sabbath" will take place, timed to coincide with the celebration of All Saints Day. You need to prepare as many pumpkin lamps as possible and place them on each windowsill. Next to them, place a treat of meat and vegetables intended for the souls of departed ancestors. Since this night is still considered to be the time of honoring the memory of all the dead.

On the eve of the holiday itself, it is better to stock up on a large number of candles, since electricity is not particularly welcome during this celebration, and the room should be well lit so that evil spirits cannot get here.

You can decorate the room at your discretion, depending on what the theme of the party will be. If you plan to spend the night of the living dead, then it is better to equip the room as a crypt with bones scattered everywhere and painted skulls. In the event that a vampire sabbath will be held, then there should be glasses with tomato juice everywhere, and no mirrors.

Costumes

We figured out how Halloween is celebrated in Russia. But what to wear for this holiday? In the event that any themed party is being held, then you need to come in a certain outfit in order to match all guests according to the stated theme. When the competition for the best suit is held, everyone will be on an equal footing - no one will stand out.

If you plan to visit a club or a disco this night, then you can dream up and dress up as a pretty witch or sorcerer, vampire or vampire, devil, troll, demon, goblin and many other evil characters.

Dishes

The menu for "evil spirits" at the party should be dominated by red drinks. This can be tomato juice, red wine, or mulled wine. A favorite delicacy of all evil spirits is worms, which can be made from pate, chocolate or purchased in the store in the form of gummies.

A beautiful themed attribute and a delicious dish will turn out to be a hollow pumpkin filled with cottage cheese with sour cream and whipped cream, and you can also make a traditional pumpkin soup. Meat lovers can enjoy lightly fried steak or veal liver.

Fighting the holiday

In the current situation, it is not entirely clear lately whether it is possible to celebrate Halloween in Russia and whether it will be legal. In a recent statement by the Moscow Patriarchate, it was said that this holiday is not characteristic of the Russian spirit and is completely undesirable for Russian culture. expressed his opinion that such pagan rituals from childhood can acquaint a person with evil and teach him to present him with some kind of tribute, instead of rejecting it completely.

The Public Chamber of the Russian Federation is also in full solidarity with the church, whose members have come forward with an initiative to cancel the celebration of this event by law. That is why Halloween is not celebrated in Russia in some regions, such as Arkhangelsk, where this holiday is officially banned, and the deputies of St. Petersburg are seeking the same. Also, All Saints Day is strictly prohibited in all Muslim regions.

Halloween is a very ancient holiday that dates back to the times of the Celtic peoples.

In America, this event is very important, and its celebration can be equated with Christmas celebrations. During this period of time, the demand for sweets and various sweets is simply off scale. Stores, perhaps, can easily make a monthly plan in a day.

In European countries, the main attribute of this holiday is water and bread.

In fact, All Saints Day is very interesting for its traditions and peculiarities, and it is strange why Halloween is not celebrated in Russia according to all the rules, because it is a great way to get acquainted with the cultures of the English-speaking countries of the world.