Halloween @ AUBG

Fall delivers much excitement for the long-awaited Halloween celebration.

 

The origins of the tradition are richer than many people realize - conceptualized in Celtic times, "All-Hallow’s day," comes around in the 1550s. Even though Halloween has European origins, the date October 31 is significant mostly in the USA.

 

Halloween has become extremely popular among younger people overseas, while others are skeptic. Why?

 

Oltiona Rama, a first year student, spoke about Halloween in Kosovo. "I am going to be honest, no, it is not that popular, but I think everyone is aware of what Halloween is," said the freshman. According to Oltiona the older community within Kosovo dislikes the holiday. 

 

She pointed out two main reasons for that: religion and culture.

"Kosovo is 95 percent Muslim. We don't really celebrate Halloween, it is not allowed in a way."

Oltiona also told me about how on June 1, children's day, kids dress up. Distinctively from Halloween though, in Kosovo the youngsters transform into fairies, animals or something wholesome. That celebrates not only the innocence and happiness of childhood but also purity.

 

When asked whether she was excited to experience Halloween here at AUBG she said it is something she is definitely looking forward to. 

 

Despite the fact that she grew up in a society that does not really accept it, Oltiona has a positive attitude towards Halloween. "For people who want to celebrate it I think it should be more accepted, because you don't have to care what other people do."

 

Sophia Morris, also a first year student here at our university, has lived in the United States all her life. She grew up in a half-Bulgarian, half-Jamaican household. 

 

Growing up, she celebrated Halloween like the majority of kids in America but her mother was never really a fan of it. "My mom is the Bulgarian one, so she always told me that she never really celebrated it here and she actually hates Halloween for the most part." Despite that, the spooky holiday is one of Sophia’s favorites, she adds.

 

"For me I feel it has always been kind of a commercial holiday. The way that I have experienced it my entire life has always just been fun, commercial type like Valentine's Day. What you do on this day - you dress up."

 

Sophia also does not consider Halloween as a significant aspect of her culture, but is surprised to see the difference between Bulgaria and the States during this time of year. "It feels weird like not seeing people as excited about it as I get."

 

The invisible barrier between cultures was once again torn by the annual "Midterms or Monsters" party at AUBG, where students from different countries gathered and danced the monsters away.

 

 

Edited by: Vasil Paskov & David Mitov