On October 31st, WHU students gathered on the Meiyuan basketball court in celebration of Halloween—one of the most influential and major festivals in western society.
The celebration lasted the entire weekend. Organized by the WHU Shakespeare Drama Club, the celebration was an absolute enjoyment for everyone present.Under the dark cloak of night, hundreds of carved pumpkin lanterns cast their warm orange light into the first whisper of winter in the air. With the chilly night wind howling,students dressed in full costumes and makeup as wizards, vampires, and even zombies, greeted each other with the traditional phrase“Trick or Treat”. Participating in various games such as Out! Out! Brief Candle and Candy Toss, together they shared a memorable time. As time went on, strangers became friends. Even without the garish light of day, the bleakness of a cold night could be dispelled by hospitality and cordiality.
The next day, a concert gala was held by the WHU Association of Art and Culture. At the gala, a beautiful melody lingered in the air, filling every corner with the gaiety of festive mood. In the audience, students and teachers, regardless of their ages, genders and nationalities, gathered together, cheering and applauding together like closest friends. For them, instead of just a western festival, Halloween has become a day for enjoyment and happiness for all.
Critics used to question people’s increasing fascination toward Western festivals. Consideration of those activities, and participation in these festivals,has always been seen as anaction of betrayal or the obliteration of our own traditional culture. However, this is not the truth. We love Halloween, not because we are obsessed with some exotic culture, but because it encourages us to alter or change the monotonous pattern of our lives; because it stirs and releases the most absurd parts of our imagination, allowing us to be weird, to be frightened and above all, to be ourselves; because behind the costume, our wildest flight of fancy are hidden.
(Edited by Editing Group, Gretchen & Sijia)
