Every October 31st is Halloween Day, a holiday that gained popularity and massiveness in the United States, but its beginnings date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhaincelebrated more than 2,000 years.
The celts They believed that during that night the veil between the living and the dead was smaller, allowing the spirits will return to the world of mortals. To protect themselves, they lit bonfires and they used costumesa tradition that evolved and became the symbol and essence of this festival.
All Hallows’ Eve or eve of All Saintsarrived in the 19th century to the USA and it did not take long for it to become a commercial celebration, of pure costumes, decorations and games like the famous “trick or treat”. But how did it become popular in the porteño culture and it became a key date in the agenda of people and businesses?
halloween consolidated itself as one of the main North American festivities, and expanded its cultural influence globally through its films, television, music, and many dominant industries that fueled this phenomenon.
How Halloween came to dominate American customs
The main influence is due to the great emigration of the Irish in 1840 due to the Great Famine, where they brought their traditions and customs with them. However, it was not until the beginning of the 20th century which began to become popular in the United States, until it became a characteristic symbol.
Between 1920s and 1930s the famous “Trick or treat“(treat or trick), in order for families to entertain young people and keep them away from evil. After World War II and with economic growth, the “boom“and popularity gained strength in the media and the companieswhich contributed to expanding this practice.
Marketing and the impact of pop culture
The key part for the expansion of Halloween in the north american culture were the media, but especially the cinema and the television. Horror movies like “halloween“John Carpenter or the Program”It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” by Bill Melendez, helped introduce the holiday to younger generations.
The horror moviesthe classic nights of suspense, the characters of vampires, zombies and monsters, became icons of pop culture, and the entertainment industry promoted the dark, captivating and mysterious side of halloweenturning October 31 into a date and cultural reference throughout the country.
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The phenomenon that popularized Buenos Aires culture
Far from resonating with the Argentine traditionsHalloween began to be present in our country in the 90’s decadedriven mainly by the globalization and with it the rise and diffusion of American culture.
The fascination of people when watching content, from movies and series, that showed characters dressing up, asking for candy, decorating pumpkins and generating terror, caused these actions to begin to take place. replicate in homes, schools, parties and businesses.
In Buenos Airesthe festival was reinterpreted to local customs, where in neighborhoods like Palermo, Saint Elmo, Belgrano and so on, it is common to find bars, restaurants or simply spaces where they decide to join this date as a business and attraction opportunity.
The fundamental role of social networks
In recent times, the social networks They were the most important thing to finish popularizing and establishing Halloween in Buenos Aires culture. Platforms like instagram and TikTokpromoted and went viral content of costume ideas, decorations and recipes, encouraging more people to join the celebration.
The platforms invited spread the spirit of this day with makeup inspirations, games, bars to go out to celebrate, horror movies and complete plans to get together to honor the celebration. This accumulation contributed to normalize and expand this holiday in Buenos Aires cultural calendar, as a long-awaited and anticipated event to have fun.
Source: Ambito
