Halloween: the Horror came from the USA to Germany

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In the United States, it has long been the custom for some years, Halloween is also celebrated in Germany

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For older Semester, it is an obscure, from the USA of imported custom. For children, young people and, in the meantime, more and more adults, a new occasion to celebrate. On Halloween, people dress up, in the meantime, also in Germany. Children go from house to house and demand with the saying "Trick or Treat" gifts.

the Halloween Originated in Ireland. It took a long time, Halloween has its roots in an ancient Celtic harvest ceremony, is the science of today, from a purely Christian origin: Therefore the Name of "All Hallows' Eve" - the evening is all saints. It was shortened it into "Halloween". About emigrant Irish brought the custom in the 19th century. Century in the USA. There, the so typical for Halloween pumpkin, then came into the game, and it was the custom that children go from house to house asking for candy - threaten or strike.

Halloween: Everything started quite harmless to

is The custom now spilled over to Germany. Halloween showed up in this country, reinforced by the end of the 90s, as Walter Grünzweig, Professor of American studies at the University of Dortmund, explained. It started out harmless: journals and magazines, published first short articles about the new phenomenon. Then Halloween like an avalanche over the Land, rolling green industry says in an interview with the star. More and more pubs and confectionery manufacturers have adjusted to this Trend. The mass celebrates Halloween in Germany, but only since the new Millennium.

But how exactly it came to be that this American custom was so popular in Germany? The "specialist group of the carnival in the German Association of the toy industry (DVSI)" does the claim to have Halloween single-handedly brought it to Germany. The group was created after 1991 because of the Gulf war, the carnival was cancelled, which brought the costume manufacturers of brutal losses. In order to create new occasions, started the group in 1994 a campaign for the introduction of the American Practice. In a press statement from 2009 States: "spurred by the Publicity of the specialist group for carnival in the German Association of the toy industry was laid in the beginning of the 90s, the Foundation stone for a new Tradition in Germany: Halloween."

The campaign was apparently successful: According to the "expert group on carnival" were implemented in the year 2009 with Halloween-articles of almost 30 million euros. For the confectionery industry, the horror is solid, according to the Federal Association of the third most Betlike important event of the year after Christmas and Easter. And also the Event catering is jumped on the train, and with Halloween parties for full houses.

Societal need for new customs

A new tradition, initiated solely by a small interest group - is that possible? Gunther Hirschfelder, a Professor of Comparative cultural studies at the University of Regensburg, explores the theme of Halloween for a long time. The "expert group on the carnival" he is not come yet. He sees the reason for the success, especially in the social need for new customs. "Man as a social being is longing for traditions, the structure of his life," says Hirschfelder. Halloween fill a cultural vacuum that was created in the 90s: Christian holidays would lose for a long time already, the importance that globalization contributes to Dwindling of regional traditions. In this gap Valentine's day, mother's day, major sporting events and Halloween pushing. All of these celebrations have, in the opinion of the cultural scientist have one thing in common: they are non-binding, are supposed to be fun, and there is a commercial interest.

The American scholar the green branch, there is a further gap that was filled by Halloween: Between the summer holidays and carnival had previously given no cause for a celebration. But why Halloween and not another custom established? Hirschfelder explains this with the advent of private television in the mid-80s: The private channels would have further strengthened Hollywood movies shown that have previously been in the public program, not a Chance horror shockers such as "Halloween", for example. As a result, the German with this Feast had become familiar. New customs are nowadays mediated primarily by television or the Internet.

development of the sacred to the seasonal symbolism

The clear symbolism is another reason for the quick success of Halloween: The pumpkin is a strong character that everyone immediately thinks of Halloween. And: It fits in the development of society, which goes from the sacred to the seasonal symbolism. Many of the storefronts and apartments are decorated in autumn leaves and pumpkins.

it is Only against this Background of to be understood in the resounding success of the Gruselfests. The toy industry may have with your "expert group on carnival" this tendency, considers Gunther Hirschfelder even possible. It would have been in the history of ever: In the ' 20s, such as the Association of German flowers business owners, on the mother's day in Germany Ehret with posters "the mother".

Who is always, ultimately, for the introduction of responsible - Germany is celebrating Halloween this year with spooky parties and hollowed-out pumpkins. The Nice thing is: Who does not want to participate, do not need to. It is recommended, however, to have on Tuesday plenty of Sweet in the house. Otherwise it could be Acidic.

Date Of Update: 31 October 2018, 19:00