budapestbug:While the end of October is typified by witches and ghouls, magic and the walking dead,
budapestbug:While the end of October is typified by witches and ghouls, magic and the walking dead, costumes and – of course – numerous parties, it’s still very much a Western experience. While Eastern European countries are increasingly indulging themselves with a bit of gore and horror on October 31st, All Saints’ Day or ‘day of the dead’ is a far more important date. In Hungary, 1st November is a national holiday, giving the workforce the opportunity to be with family while they remember those that have passed. This means lighting a candle on or around family graves, followed by a moment of silence. As such you’ll spot a number or colourful and ornate candleholders placed throughout the country’s graveyards. An old superstition said that the person whose candle is extinguished first will be the next to die. Additionally the graves are tidied and cleaned, flowers may be laid and church bells ring out. In some parts of the country the light is left on while the family attends church, giving the spirits of the dead an opportunity to look around the home while no one is there. There’s even a saying: ‘Míg a harang szól, a halottak otthon vannak’ – or, ‘while the bell sounds, the dead are at home’. -- source link
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