IV. Переведите текст. Передайте его краткое содержание на английском языке. Special Celebrations

Halloween

Unlike many other holidays, Halloween has a very rich past. It dates back to the Druid festival of Samhain, Lord of the Dead and Prince of the Darkness. He, according to Celtic belief, gathered up the souls of all those who had died during the year to present them to Druid Heaven on October 31. The Sun god was present at the holiday and received thanks for the year's harvest.

The Druids called on supernatural forces to calm down the evil spirits, hence the tradition of masquerading and the symbols of Halloween — ghosts, witches, skeletons, black cats, devils, and bonfires. The custom of telling ghost stories on Halloween also comes from the Druids.

As Christianity replaced the pagan religions, the church made November 1 a special day to honor all saints (all hallows) and called it All Hallows' Day. The evening before, October 31, became All Hallows' Even — later shortened to Halloween. According to the pagan belief, all evil spirits gather on All Hallows' Eve to oppose the church and mock the All Saints celebration.

Halloween was not widely celebrated in America until immigrants from Ireland and Scotland arrived in 1840s. Today Halloween is mainly a children's holiday. Children wear ghost costumes, false faces, carry jack-o-lanterns made of pumpkins. In the evening of October 31, when it becomes dark, they go from door to door, ring the bell and shout: "Trick or Treat?" If the children do not get any treat— chocolates, candy, fruit, small coins — they are ready to play tricks.

While some youngsters are out playing pranks or collecting their booty, others are gathered for a party, enjoying themselves, telling ghost stories, popping corn, or playing different games. And there is always a candle burning inside a hollow pumpkin.

Сост.: Сайтимова Т.Н., Локтюшина Е.А., Панина С.А.

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