Italy, a country deeply rooted in family and religious traditions, has recently witnessed a significant shift in its cultural landscape. Halloween, once foreign to local shores, has gradually weaved into the hearts and traditions of new generations. As November 1st marks the so-called ‘Ponte dei morti,’ a bank holiday honoring the deceased, Italians are increasingly anticipating the celebration on the night of October 31st.

For some, these narratives provide the perfect fodder for raising an accusatory eyebrow at Halloween and its Celtic origins. Remarkably, though, we unearth comparable customs in the southern regions of Italy, where residents do something similar to carving pumpkins and illuminating them with flickering candles to dispel malevolent spirits.