Halloween in France
There was an attempt ten years or so ago to introduce the French to Halloween. It met at first with some success, born out of curiosity, but now the only signs of the holiday in Paris are EuroDisney posters in the metro, and elaborate decorations in the windows of a few high-end chocolatiers.
Why did Halloween flop in France? I believe it goes to the origins of the holiday itself. The name is a contraction of All Hallows' Even, the Eve of All Saints' Day. And in the Catholic calendar, All Saints' Day, the Toussaint, immediately precedes, and is associated with the Day of the Dead, when families go pray on the tombs of their ancestors. I will post on the Toussaint later this week.
In France, this is a time to remember departed loved ones, not gorge on candy or have fun with scary costumes. This is in my opinion the true reason why Halloween couldn't succeed in France: it was deeply anticlimactic.
Does it mean you can't find pumpkins in France? Certainly you can. My grocery store has plenty of them, but they are not suitable for jacks o'lanterns: they are sold by the slice, to make soup. A very easy recipe: dice the flesh, boil with some potatoes and an onion. Add salt and spices to taste. Blend when cooked. Light, delicious, and the color is gorgeous.
Why did Halloween flop in France? I believe it goes to the origins of the holiday itself. The name is a contraction of All Hallows' Even, the Eve of All Saints' Day. And in the Catholic calendar, All Saints' Day, the Toussaint, immediately precedes, and is associated with the Day of the Dead, when families go pray on the tombs of their ancestors. I will post on the Toussaint later this week.In France, this is a time to remember departed loved ones, not gorge on candy or have fun with scary costumes. This is in my opinion the true reason why Halloween couldn't succeed in France: it was deeply anticlimactic.
Does it mean you can't find pumpkins in France? Certainly you can. My grocery store has plenty of them, but they are not suitable for jacks o'lanterns: they are sold by the slice, to make soup. A very easy recipe: dice the flesh, boil with some potatoes and an onion. Add salt and spices to taste. Blend when cooked. Light, delicious, and the color is gorgeous.
That soup sounds wonderful.
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It is, Elena! And so simple to make.
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I wish it would die that death here as well. I truly hate it.
I grammar school the nuns used it for us to dress like our patron saint.
I rather prefer that.
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I don't hate Halloween but, as a mother, the candy aspect worries me. All those cavities in the making! When my son was younger I would always throw away much of it on the sly. I remember a Cher movie (Mermaids?) where she gave trick-or-treaters travel-size tubes of toothpaste instead of sweets. Great idea.
And another great idea was to have the kids dress as their patron saints!
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My brother was born on Halloween so needless to say we had great parties.
The soup sounds fantastic & I'll have to agree with Catherine- the chocolatiers windows in Paris were simply gorgeous! We were in Paris last year this time & found the displays at Patrick Roger Chocolatier (108, blvd Saint-Germain 6e) was simply stunning. With an autumn garden theme with chocolates made in carrots & squashes.
I just appreciate the arts that holidays produce.
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I will have to check out Patrick Roger, Felio!
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Last year La Mere du Famille went all out with quite sophisticated choco molds of elegant witches and cats etc.
This must be a Chardin painting is it not?
Lovely...
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Looks like Chardin, doesn't it? But no, this is an illustre inconnu by the name of Francois Bonvin. Terribly tough to find a good still life with pumpkins in France...
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