All Saint's Day

This week I noticed a pretty big difference between Sweden and America, and that difference is how we celebrate Halloween. Halloween to me is October 31^st, celebrating the seasons of fall and the spirits that come with it, acknowledging the deceased and their spirits, dressing up, trick or treating, candy, scary looking food, and scary movies. Even though Swedes do (kind of) celebrate Halloween, this was not a traditional holiday in Sweden until the 1990’s. I asked a few Swedes if they were celebrating Halloween, and all of them replied with “When’s that?”  In Sweden, the major focus this time of year is a traditional holiday called All Saint’s Day.

This weekend I went up to Varberg to join Ivar and his family with celebrating his 19^th birthday. On the night of his birthday we went to the cemetery to visit deceased relatives. At first I didn’t understand why we were going there that night, but I soon learned that we were going to honor them due to the special holiday of All Saint’s Day. As we walked through the graveyard I noticed that many graves had pine branches covering them and candles lit. It was a very beautiful display! But there is more meaning behind the decorations from what I just saw on the surface of course. I looked All Saint’s Day up online and I found that,

 “From the 11th century, 2 November was dedicated to all the dead, of whatever standing, and was called All Souls’ Day. It was widely observed by the populace, with requiems and bell-ringing, but was abolished with the arrival of the Reformation. In 1772, All Saints’ Day was moved to the first Sunday in November and in 1953 to the Saturday between 31 October and 6 November.

In olden days, graves were decorated at Christmas time, when small candle-lit Christmas trees were placed on the graves of young children. In the 20th century, however, people began putting lighted candles on the graves of the departed on All Saints’ Day. This custom originated with wealthy families in towns and cities. But after the Second World War, it spread throughout the country, beginning in the Stockholm region. Churches also began holding services of light to mark the day.” (Agneta)

I also chuckled when I read this:

“In southern Sweden, outdoor work is nearing completion, while in the north, All Saints' Day marks the first day of winter and the traditional start of the alpine ski season.” (Tidholm)

Here is the website that I looked up to find exact facts about All Saint's Day:

http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Lifestyle/Traditions/Celebrating-the-Swedish-way/All-Saints-Day/

I really enjoyed being able to experience this holiday, and it is something that I wish to bring home with me as a new tradition for my family. This almost reminded me of Dia De Los Muertos in the Hispanic culture, but less of a party and more simply paying respects towards the deceased. 

Tidholm, Po, and Agneta Lilja. "All Saints' Day." SWEDEN.SE - The Official Gateway to Sweden — Features, Facts, Music, Film. The Swedish Institute, 2004. Web. 06 Nov. 2011. <http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Lifestyle/Traditions/Celebrating-the-Swedish-way/All-Saints-Day/>.