A Polish Halloween

Introduction:

When you think about Halloween, what do you think about?  Dressing up as your favorite character?  Going around to your neighbor's house and asking for candy?  These are some of the ways Halloween is celebrated in the United States. 

In Poland, the holiday is very different.  It is celebrated on November 1st (or the day after Halloween) and is called All Saints' Day.  Instead of asking for candy, it is a day of remembering and celebrating family members.

What tradition did I learn about?:

All Saints' Day is celebrated in Poland instead of Halloween. The holiday happens on November 1st every year, During this time, families gather to celebrate and remember other familiy members who have passed away.  All stores and school are closed. Families often go to church.  Families also often buy flowers and candles, and they may visit other family member's graves.  By nightime, the graves are covered with flowers and candles. This makes it very beautiful and peaceful for the families who visit!

Why does the community have this tradition?:

The idea behind placing the candles on the graves is to help the people who have passed away find their way around in the dark.

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