In the West, Halloween is an incredibly popular holiday eagerly awaited by both children and adults. In recent years, more people in Poland have also started celebrating it. However, celebrating this foreign holiday is met with criticism from the Church. Priests argue that dressing up in strange costumes before All Saints' Day not only disrespects Polish culture but also strikes at Christian traditions and holiness. Many Catholics emphasize the paradox of dressing up as monsters one day and then celebrating All Saints' Day the next. While some see it as a great opportunity for fun, others view it as the work of the devil. There are as many opinions as there are people. Here’s what some of our readers think:
"I don't go to church, and I don't listen to priests, but I also have a very neutral attitude toward Halloween. I'm not interested in either October 31st or November 1st. I'll just stay home with my family and play games" - one user commented under a post on our Facebook page.
"Like Halloween? Go ahead, have fun, and don't worry about the priests - they won't live your life for you"
Halloween continues to stir emotions. Under one of the articles shared on Gazeta.pl's Facebook profile, a lively debate broke out among parents. Many criticized the fact that schools are getting involved with this Western holiday, which is becoming increasingly celebrated in Polish families.
- "The Church can do its penance, but they should leave others alone";
- "We should remember the dead and honor them, and memories can be both sad and joyful";
- "Everyone should do as they please. Like Halloween? Go ahead, have fun, and don't worry about the priests-they won't live your life for you",
- "I celebrate Halloween with my kids, and I think it's a great event!"
- these are just some of the comments.
There were also comments supporting the priests' views:
- "This isn't our holiday, and anyway, what kind of holiday is it?";
- "A satanic holiday";
- "The priests are right. We shouldn't scare children!";
- "My kids don't like this holiday, and we won’t be celebrating it"
- wrote other users.
One mother admitted that Halloween is a great opportunity for community bonding. "We live in a neighborhood with many American neighbors, and kids from all around come to visit us," she revealed. Another reader added, "Our church hosts an All Saints' ball!".
One in Five Poles Over 60 Wants to Celebrate Halloween
According to Rzeczpospolita, representatives of supermarkets have noticed a significant rise in the holiday's popularity. They’ve observed a growing demand for Halloween-related products. "We can’t afford not to offer this to our customers. It’s not a major sales category, but it helps build customer loyalty," a manager from a major retail chain told Rz.
Halloween is the second most popular Western holiday after Valentine's Day to take root in Poland, and it's gaining more popularity every year. As it turns out, even one in eight Poles plans to spend more than 100 PLN to celebrate it. Who celebrates this American holiday? Mostly people aged 15 to 24, usually from larger cities. But not just them - according to a Kantar Public survey for Wonga, one in five Poles over 60 also wants to get in on the spooky fun.
