Monday, October 29, 2007

Halloween vs Bonfire Night


It is traditional at this time of year that I should have a moan about the way that Halloween is replacing Bonfire Night. Creeping Americanisation and all that.

But an article in the Guardian this morning casts a new light on this phenomenon. Sarah Churchwell writes:
There is a great deal of resentment toward "American cultural imports", the myriad ways in which we are contaminating your demi-paradise with our corrupt practices. I hate to break it to you, but in the case of Halloween, you are the ones bastardising our culture. If your version is a violent, threatening and ugly spree across the month of October, don't blame America, blame yourselves.

2 comments:

Tristan said...

That's true.

Halloween in the US is usually a great community occasion. A town will hold the celebration on the same day (sometimes the nearest Saturday) and those who take part make great effort to decorate their houses and hallways.

If you don't want to take part you just switch off your porch light and people know not to go there.

Anonymous said...

Never had a problem with Halloween in the UK, my family have always made an effort & had a great evening.
Agree with the last poster, you know the score, if you don't agree then go out or switch the light off,
Christmas...now that's scarey