In both Ireland and Scotland it was a belief that this physical world and the supernatural world were closest during this time, so magical things can happen. To ward off spirits the Gaels would light massive bonfires. In the Western Isles they would hold a festival of the fairies, souls of the dead flying through the air. Even with all the pagan roots Christianity still had a considerable impact on Halloween. This was the time of the year when Christians honored saints and prayed for the recently dead that were still traveling to heaven.
Christmas traditions in Europe Christmas The origin and the name given to this celebration are different depending on the country. For exemple, for the French word Noël definitely comes from the Latin word natalis(birth). The masses of Christ, held by English evangelists in December, gave birth to the English word "Christmas". "The Holy Night" is translated in German as Weihnacht.Taking place in the last few days of December, this holiday is not celebrated in the same way in every country. There are many symbols attached to this holiday in Europe, and each country has kept its own identity and traditions, while enriching them with influences form various other sources.
Halloween vs. Christmas Countries all over the world have their own traditions where people come together for a sole purpose, to celebrate. Despite the big cultural differences, there are certain holidays that are celebrated in the same way in different if not, in all parts of the world. At the end of each year Halloween and Christmas are celebrated in a huge way. Even though they are both celebrations where people come together to eat, drink and party, they still have their differences. During Halloween and Christmas people tend to get dressed up for the occasion.
Samhain dates back to the ancient Celts who lived 2,000 years ago. “On the night of October 31 they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth (“Halloween”). Samhain, the Pagan holiday, in on November 1st but their celebrations did and still do start at sunset on October 31st. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes and danced around the bonfire. In addition to celebrations and dance, it was believed that the thin veil between the physical world and the other world provided extra energy for communications between the living and the dead.
THE TWELFTH NIGHT Twelfth night is a name commonly given to the Christian Feast of the Epiphany, which is celebrated on the 6th of January and which commemorates the coming of the Magi- the 3 wise men to where Christ was born. They brought with them the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, which were appropriate for an infant king. Winter festivals Almost all societies and cultures find it necessary to have some kind of holiday in the middle of winter. The ancient Romans used to hold an annual ‘Saturnalia’ for about a week in the middle of December. During this period all forms of public order were suspended, the law courts and schools were closed, trading ceased and no criminals were executed.
[35][36] It was held on or about 31 October – 1 November and kindred festivals were held at the same time of year by the Brittonic Celts; for example Calan Gaeaf (in Wales), Kalan Gwav (in Cornwall) and Kalan Goañv (in Brittany). Samhain and Calan Gaeaf are mentioned in some of the earliest Irish and Welsh literature. The names have been used by historians to refer to Celtic Halloween customs up until the 19th century,[37] and are still the Gaelic and Welsh names for Halloween. Snap-Apple Night, painted by Daniel Maclise in 1833, shows people feasting and playing divination games on Halloween in Ireland. Samhain/Calan Gaeaf marked the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter or the 'darker half' of the year.
Thus, the festival is now 17 days when the first Sunday is October 2 and 18 days when it is October 1. In 2010, the festival lasted until the first Monday in October, to mark the 200-year anniversary of the event. The festival is held in an area named the Theresienwiese (field, or meadow, of Therese), often called Wiesn for short, located near Munich's center. Only beer which is brewed within the city limits of Munich is allowed to be served in this festival. Upon
During the hot dry summers fire would frequently happen. Actually the Haydn house itself was on fire three times. One in 1813, 1833, and 1899 but was always carefully restored to its original form. Haydn is one of three boys, Michael (who is also a well known composer himself), and Johann Evangelist (a tenor in the church choir of the Esterhazy Court). His father, Mathais, was a wheelwright who played the harp, and his mother Maria, was a cook for count Karl Anton Harrach.
Some such surroundings include the parades, the drinking aspect of the holiday, public schools, and how everyone celebrates as Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day has primarily been a religious event. “Until the 1970’s, pubs were required by law to close on March 17th.” (Religion Facts). After all, the day is set aside to celebrate the death of a saint. “In Dublin, it is a weeklong event called St. Patrick’s Festival.” (Religion Facts).
Christmas means, to most people today, a chance to eat, party and give gifts. The word Christmas comes from the Old English phrase ‘Cristes Maesse’ which means the mass of Christ. The most popular explanation for Christmas is that it celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The first record of the celebration was in Rome in AD360 but it wasn’t until AD440 that the Christian Church made the date of the celebration the 25th of December. However some other people believe that Christmas is not a celebration of Christ as even though Historians doe believe he was born on the 25th they are unsure of which month and it is likely it is a summer month.