All Saint’s Day {Mindenszentek Napja}

Although there are an increasing number of costume parties and events for children, Hungarians don’t really celebrate Halloween. And Halloween just isn’t Halloween without the trick-or-treating. Hungarians do celebrate All Saint’s Day, which is a way for them to honor their deceased loved ones. On November 1st, and the days leading up to it, they go to the cemeteries where their relatives are buried, clean the area surrounding the graves, plant flowers, and light candles. Some families will travel to several cemeteries around the country, if necessary, to be sure that the graves of their relatives are tended to.

Last night we went to Kerepesi Cemetery—a beautiful cemetery where many of the most famous Hungarians are buried—where there were swarms of people, crossing guards to direct the pedestrians, and many vendors selling flowers and candles. Gábor noted that he hated this day when as a child his parents piled the whole family into the car, hauled them to Budapest to visit the cemetery, and then on to Jászberény for another cemetery. Once they arrived at the family graves, they took out their shovels and rakes, tended the graves, and always noted how the deceased “deserved to have lived better lives.” I can see how it wouldn’t be too much for for a child, but with the burning candles, full moon, and vases of flowers everywhere, it was a gorgeous sight.

See more photos on our flickr page.

–Carolyn