learn the Italian language with Italian culture

Although only recently having become popular, Halloween in Italy today is a big deal. Shops are full of plastic zucche (pumpkins) and scope (broomsticks) for doting parents to give to their children. When night falls, youngsters will travestirsi (dress up) in costumes of streghe (witches), fantasmi (ghosts) and pipistrelli (bats), either to go out asking for dolcetto o scherzetto (’sweet or joke’ - trick or treat) or to head off for a night on the town at a festa di halloween (Halloween party) or casa infestata (haunted house).

A more traditional celebration at this time of year, but on a similar theme, is that of Ogni Santi (All Saints Day) which takes place on November 1st and is a ponte (’bridge’ - bank holiday). As the name suggests, all the saints of the Chiesa Cattolica (Catholic Church) are celebrated on this day.
The following day, November 2nd, is il Giorno dei Morti (the day of the dead) when people visit the cimitero (cemetary) to rendere omaggio (pay their respects) to their loved ones. Supermarkets are full of crisantemi (chrysanthemums) as these are the usual flower to leave on the tomba (grave).