Discovering Haloween's unexpected popularity in my conservative neighborhood
As a man approaching 50, I never experienced Halloween in my youth. Raised in a Polish family leaving in Africa, partly in Western pop culture, I've been pleased to see this holiday gaining popularity in Poland. However, my country isn't always the most open-minded. In Catholic circles, there's a prevailing view that Halloween is a pagan holiday, with some even claiming it has satanic undertones.
Living near a housing estate of single-family homes, my older children have occasionally raised the idea of trick-or-treating. This year, when my younger child expressed interest, I volunteered to be his guardian for the evening. As we set out late in the evening to meet his primary school friend, we were joined by my middle child, forming a small group. We made our way to the neighborhood of single-family homes, and what followed surprised me greatly. Going from house to house, I couldn't help but be amazed. I had always perceived my area as more conservative and less open to such cultural imports. Clearly, I was mistaken. Even more surprising was the discovery of a house further in the estate whose residents begin preparing for Halloween a full month in advance. The crowd gathered at their entrance resembled more of a rock concert than a Halloween celebration. I certainly hadn't expected this.
This experience served as a reminder that we never stop learning. My preconceptions about my community's attitudes towards Halloween were completely upended, showing that even in seemingly traditional areas, new customs can take root and flourish.