Halloween

HALLOWEEN

When I lived in France in the 1990’s, Halloween was not really celebrated by the French.

They saw it as a strange sort of festival, and didn’t really “get” it. However, it has gained in popularity and many a sorcière (witch) can now be seen on the boulevards of Paris and beyond! It has its origins in the pagan festival (la fête païenne) of Samhain, which is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, or the “darker half” of the year. It is celebrated on the 31^st day of October, and has captured the marketing minds of France.

Festival of Halloween

Although the festival of Halloween is very popular in Ireland, (l’Irlande) Scotland (l’Écosse) and Wales (au Pays de Galles), it has really only become prevalent in other European countries, in the last 10-15 years. A lot of people mistakenly believe that it is an American festival, but this is due to the fact that so many Irish people settled in America, after the great famine of 1845-1847 (La Grande famine). The word Halloween is believed to have come from the Scottish “Allhallow-even” which means the eve of All Saints’ Day, traditionally celebrated on the 1^st of November every year. As far back as the 8^th and 9^th century, the Catholic church introduced La Toussaint or All Saints’ Day to counteract the popularity of the pagan festival.

Halloween Night

On Halloween night, children disguise themselves (Se déguiser) in frightening costumes (des costumes effrayants) and roam the local towns and villages, looking for sweets! If you are unwillingly to give a treat, you can be sure of a trick! Once back home, the little monsters, witches and vampires tuck into their treats, and listen to scary stories or play Halloween games, such as bobbing for apples. Although years ago, children received monkey nuts and fruit, it is more likely nowadays that they receive chocolate, crisps and sweets!

BÊTISES OU FRIANDISES

• La Toussaint – All Saints’ Day
• Trick or Treat – Bêtises ou Friandises
• Une araignée – A Spider
• Une Toile d’Araignée – A Spider’s Web
• Un balai – A Broom
• A Coffin – Un cercueil
• Un déguisement – A Disguise
• A Costume – Un costume 
• Un squelette – A Skeleton
• A Bat – Un chauve-Souris 
• Une fée – A Fairy
• Un diable – A Devil
• A Black Cat – Un chat noir 
• Un chapeau – A Hat
• Une citrouille – A Pumpkin
• Un fantôme – A Ghost
• A Vampire – Un vampire 
• Un pirate – A Pirate
• A Monster – Un monstre 
• Un épouvantail – A Scarecrow
• Une sorcière – A Witch
• Une maison hantée – A Haunted House
• Un cimetière –  A Cemetery

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