Halloween, has all but finished and, as the fireworks of
November 5th fade and the price of pumpkins drop, I’m left
speculating on this, one of our stranger festivals.
As a child there was no ‘trick or treat’, no fancy costumes
or parties, because Halloween melted under the greater English celebration of
Bonfire Night. ’Remember, remember the 5th of November. Gunpowder,
treason and plot!’ and all the excitement of saving for fireworks &
gathering round the communal bonfire put the carved turnip head lanterns to
shame.
I was reminded of how bizarre the celebration of November
the 5th actually was, a few years ago, whilst attending a village bonfire in
the UK, with a young French friend. “Tell me again why you celebrate not
killing a king, by burning an image of someone who was only a puppet in a conspiracy?”
Put like that it sounds completely different, but I felt sure she too must have
similar strange celebrations. “Quite possibly”, she replied, “but we killed our
royalty and if we did have such a celebration it would be with fine food &
wine”. Made my plastic cup of indifferent cider and over cooked sausage seem
rather insipid...point taken!
So it started me musing about the whole Halloween thing, why
it’s gotten so big and what now makes it a firm family favourite. I think it’s
something to do with dressing up, wearing masks and carving pumpkins that
appeals to our inner creative selves. When else would we encourage our children
to roam the streets (albeit with an adult) and knock on complete strangers
doors shouting ‘Trick or Treat’? Indeed a friend was taken with the concept of
Halloween she took her border collie with coat laden with treats round the neighbours’
houses to deliver the goodies, such a lovely idea and how delighted those
children must have been. Children like to be a bit frightened, look a bit scary
and maybe, as adults, we too like the excuse to join in. Maybe it’s this
ability to act out the powerful, scary or dark role that appeals; its escape
from the ordinary and we get to play out late!
Now teachers and, in particular primary teachers, know this
only too well and utilise any excuse to enliven children’s work with colour,
description or imagination. We can add up broomsticks, describe witches and print
with pumpkins, all in the name of education. And, if we are lucky we get to
join in and dress up, because any teacher worth their salt is in touch with
their childhood self.
At a friend’s school recently, the children were involved in
the work of a local artist who had completed a mural entitled ‘The Magical Tree’.
Children & staff were asked to dress up as something magical to create a
colourful fantasy around Halloween. Two staff members, suitably attired were
hurrying to join the fun when they were caught, mid sentence discussing their
relative costumes;
“Well look at us”, one said “Never thought I’d see it, the
drag queen bunny and the pregnant fairy!”
Now that’s an image to savour!
