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What is the origin of Halloween and which ancient Celtic festival is often associated with it?

Halloween has the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Samhain was celebrated by the Celts over 2,000 years ago in what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France. It marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that on the night of October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, allowing spirits to roam the earth.

To ward off these roaming spirits, people lit bonfires and wore costumes to disguise themselves. When Christianity spread to these regions, November 1st became All Saints' Day, and the night before, October 31st, became All Hallows' Eve, eventually evolving into Halloween as we know it today, with a mix of Celtic and Christian traditions.

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Madlēna Živual, Paula Rudzīte  Birze, Anna Hvoinska.

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Madlēna Živual, Paula Rudzīte  Birze, Anna Hvoinska.

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Costumes and disguises in early Halloween celebrations had historical significance rooted in ancient traditions. The practice can be traced back to the Celtic festival of Samhain, where people believed that on the night of October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, and spirits roamed the earth. To ward off these roaming spirits, people would dress up in costumes and light bonfires.

Later, during the Middle Ages, a tradition called "souling" emerged in Britain and Ireland, where poor people would go door-to-door, offering prayers for the dead in exchange for food. They often wore costumes made of old clothes and masks. This tradition eventually evolved into what we now know as trick-or-treating.

In the United States, Halloween costumes became popular in the early 20th century, and the practice of dressing up in costumes became an integral part of Halloween celebrations. Today, costumes continue to be a significant aspect of Halloween, allowing people to express creativity and embrace the festive spirit.

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The practice of trick-or-treating has its roots in ancient Celtic and Christian traditions.

1. Celtic Origins: Halloween itself originated from the Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated around November 1st. During Samhain, people believed that the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, and they would dress in costumes and light bonfires to ward off evil spirits.

2. Christian Influence: In the 9th century, the Christian church established All Saints' Day on November 1st and All Souls' Day on November 2nd to honor saints and the deceased. The night before became known as All Hallows' Eve, which eventually evolved into Halloween.

3. Trick-or-Treating Emerges: Trick-or-treating in its early form involved "souling" in England and "guising" in Scotland, where children and poor people would go door to door, offering prayers or songs in exchange for food or money. It was a way to remember the dead and seek charity.

4. Transition to Modern Trick-or-Treating: In North America, the tradition of trick-or-treating as we know it today began in the early 20th century. It gained popularity in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s and spread to other countries.

5. Evolution: Over time, trick-or-treating evolved into children dressing in costumes and going door to door, asking for candy with the phrase "Trick or treat!" The emphasis shifted from religious aspects to a community event where kids collect candy.

Today, trick-or-treating is a significant part of Halloween celebrations in many countries, providing children with the opportunity to dress up, have fun, and collect sweets while neighbors interact and share in the festive spirit.

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Why do people not celebrate Halloween in Latvia?

Halloween is not widely celebrated in Latvia because it is not part of the country's traditional culture, and there are religious, historical, and seasonal factors that have contributed to this. However, there is some interest in Halloween among certain groups and urban areas.