All Saints' Day in Catalonia

The All Saints' Day festival, celebrated on November 1st, is one of the most deeply rooted traditions in Catalonia. It has a religious origin, as the Catholic Church established this date to honor all the saints, both known and unknown. However, over time, the celebration has also acquired a strong popular and family component, linked to the remembrance of the deceased and autumn cuisine. The following day, November 2nd, is All Souls' Day, dedicated especially to the remembrance of the deceased and visits to cemeteries.

One of the most significant customs is precisely this visit to cemeteries. Families travel to the niches or graves of their loved ones, adorn them with flowers, especially chrysanthemums and roses, and spend a moment of contemplation. It is a way to keep memories alive and to convey to the youngest members of the family the importance of respect and memory. In many towns and cities, cemeteries are filled with light and color during these days, creating a solemn yet warm atmosphere.

The All Saints' Day festival is also strongly linked to gastronomy. The star product is chestnuts, toasted and served in paper bags, often accompanied by panellets and sweet potatoes. Panellets are small sweets, usually made of marzipan and covered with pine nuts, almonds, coconut, or chocolate. These sweets have an ancient origin, associated with funeral offerings, and today are considered a typical and essential delicacy of the day. Sweet wine or mistela (a type of wine) is also a must, and it perfectly accompanies the dessert.

Related to All Saints' Day is the Castañada, a popular festival usually held on the eve of All Saints' Day, October 31st. In the past, it was a collective autumn meal where families and friends gathered to eat chestnuts and drink sweet wine. Today, in many places, school and family gatherings are still held to share chestnuts and panellets, although the influence of Halloween has introduced new customs, especially among younger people.

On a cultural level, All Saints' Day combines tradition, spirituality, and conviviality. It represents a moment of pause within the calendar to remember those who have passed away and to enjoy the flavors and aromas of autumn. Despite social changes and new fashions, the day maintains its essence: family ties, respect for the deceased, and the survival of a popular cuisine that is part of Catalan identity.

It is also worth remembering that this holiday has ancient roots, partially derived from Celtic celebrations such as "Samhain", which marked the beginning of the darkest period of the year and symbolized the passage between the world of the living and the world of the dead.