Scandinavian Halloween - Scandinavian Festival & Culture of Junction City, Oregon

Scandinavian &nbsp Halloween &nbsp traditions

It is odd to think that America has had such an influence on Scandinavia. Coming from a town settled by a dense population of Scandinavians we are often honoring our heritage and acknowledging how we have been influenced by Scandinavian culture. It seems that the tables have turned when it comes to the modern traditions of Halloween. Though, the holiday itself may be rooted in traditions from long ago.

Sweden

Since the 1990’s the Sweden has adopted Halloween as a holiday. Children and teens can be seen dressed in costumes enjoying parties filled with candy and sweet treats. Most trick-or-treating is indoors often set up through business, or planned areas, but teens can be seen running the streets with lanterns, employing joyful terror throughout the neighborhoods. The North American custom of pumpkin carving, which has led to an increase in pumpkin farming in Sweden. However, Alla Helgons Dag (All Saints Day) runs from October 31^st to November 6^th and marks the begging of autumn break. The Swedes have honored this time since the World Wars. During this holiday many families take the time to light candles and remember those who have passed away.

Norway

Norway, like Sweden was late to the game in celebrating Halloween. It wasn’t until the last few decades that this holiday and the fun traditions took hold, but the Norwegians committed fully and have one of the most playful traditions. This tradition called lommelykt i høstmørket is a festive game of hide-n-seek meets treasure hunt played in the dark with flashlights. Like other countries, on October 31^st children’s laughter can be heard, and the words “knask eller knep” (trick-or-treat) during festive games, though door to door trick-or-treating is not as common as it is in the States. A holiday of candy and carved pumpkins may have found its way into Norway, but the proud country was sure to put its personal spin on the celebrations. The more somber holiday, All Saints Day, is more prevalently observed in Norway.

Denmark

Halloween in Denmark has been slow to catch on. You may find some element like pumpkins and occasional Halloween traditions depending on the region. However, Demark has its own holidays that share commonalities with Halloween. Fastelavn, which is a holiday celebrated in the spring. It is held on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. The children celebrate Fastelavn by dressing up and going door to door saying, “Slik eller Ballade,” which translates “candy or trouble”. If the children do not get what they ask for they can be heard singing a song of warning before they create mischief. Though, this tradition is more like Halloween and celebrated in the spring. In November, Danes celebrate All Saints Day. Like in Sweden and Norway, family’s light candles and take this time to reflect on those who have passed on.

Finland

You may find a private Halloween party in Finland with masks, sweets and a spooky story or two though it’s not a popular holiday. All Saints Day is more commonly observed in Finland. Prior to Halloween, the Finnish were celebrating the holiday of Kekri, which does not have an exact date of celebration. The time of Kekri was set by the farming schedule and would often line up with the end or harvest. This holiday aligns with All Saints Day where Fins would light candles and honor their dead. During the time of Kekri, which has been celebrated since ancient times, people would often wear formal clothes, gather around a bonfire with friend and family, sharing myths and legends and even invite their dead to the festivities. As industry has taken hold in Finland and the farming society has lessened so had the custom of Kekri, though it can still be found in rural parts of Finland.

Iceland

Like other Nordic countries, Iceland has fallen to the temptation of candy and the fun of dressing up. You may find an occasional Halloween party in the modern cities of Iceland. But many Icelanders have been resistant to the commercial holiday of Halloween. Since the 12^th century Iceland has been celebrating Veturnætur, also known as Winter Nights, which is held in October. This three-day festival is held from Thursday to Saturday has been such an integral part of society that in the early times the traditions were not written down. This festival marked the beginning of winter and new beginnings. The custom likely involved the slaughtering of animals and feasting. This aligns in modern day times as herbivores such as beef and lamb are often still butchered in this season, but less celebrated throughout society. This season was also popular for weddings in Iceland as it was marked for new beginnings.