Halloween Around The World

This Halloween thing that started in the British Isles but has been promoted so much in modern times by the U.S. (particularly by all those Halloween slasher films and kiddy films) that it's becoming a world holiday. This is mostly due to the fact that is is fun to pretend and because there are no definite expectations for celebrating or not celebrating Halloween (kids can be rough on cranky old men and old ladies who refuse to hand out treats on Halloween night). The fact that adults have stolen Halloween from the kids must mean something.  Now, other nations are changing the holiday to fit themselves.  Here are some of the places relatively new to Halloween, and the traditions followed in each. Most traditions involved remembering the dead.

-In Austria, some people will leave bread, water and a lighted lamp on the table before retiring on Halloween night. It doesn't sound like much fun, but then, when is the last time an Austrian had fun. When Hitler occupied Austria the fun bubble must have burst.
- In Belgium they light candles in memory of dead relatives. Most of us don't want to be reminded of crazy uncle Joe or Greta the aunt who used to always bring that awful Jell-O salad for Sunday dinners.
-In China, the Halloween festival is known as Teng Chieh. Food and water are placed in front of photographs of family members who have departed while bonfires and lanterns are lit in order to light the paths of the spirits as they travel the earth on Halloween night. Worshippers in Buddhist temples fashion "boats of the law" from paper, some of which are very large, which are then burned in the evening hours. The purpose of this custom is twofold: as a remembrance of the dead and in order to free the spirits of the "pretas" in order that they might ascend to heaven. 

-In Czechoslovakia, chairs are placed by the fireside on Halloween night. There is one chair for each living family member and one for each family member's spirit.
-In France, unlike most nations of the world, Halloween is not celebrated by the French in order to honor the dead and departed ancestors. It is regarded as an "American" holiday in France. And we all know those French Americans and all ideas foreign. I hope Dracula visits France this Halloween and sucks them all dry.
-In Germany, the people put away their knives on Halloween night. The reason for this is because they do not want to risk harm to or from the returning spirits. Hmmmm Maybe they are just hiding those old Nazi relics they seem to love so much.
-In Hong Kong Halloween is known as "Yue Lan" (Festival of the Hungry Ghosts) and is a time when it is believed that spirits roam the world for twenty four hours. Some people burn pictures of fruit or money at this time, believing these images would reach the spirit world and bring comfort to the ghosts. I wonder how they can afford to see all those Kung Fu movies if they burn their money
- Japan has no idea what Halloween is about. But being the masters of copy and improve, they imitate it to every degree, costumes, parties, trick or treat included. I suspect Halloween is most fun in Japan. This proves the old adage that those socialist Swedes will do anything for a day off.
-In Sweden, Halloween is known as "Alla Helgons Day" and is celebrated from October 31 until November 6. This All Hanons Day gives everyone a short working day on the 31st. I suspect this proves the old adage that those lazy socialist Swedes will do anything for a day off work.

May your Halloween be more exciting that it will be for people in these countries.