It feels as though traditions abound this time of year. In the US, children dress up in costumes and hold up bags at strangers’ doors to be filled with candy at Halloween. In Mexico. they celebrate Día de Muertos.

A similar (albeit much more solemn) tradition to Day of the Dead takes place in Poland on the first of November, and it’s known as All Saints Day.

All Saints Day (Wszystkich Świętych) began in 4th century Poland as a pagan holiday called Dziady. It was believed that the souls of forefathers would return to earth to visit family members, so people would be on their best behavior out of respect to these otherworldly visitors. They would also bake rolls or small loaves of bread which they brought to the gravesites in order to “feed the souls.” In addition, they would light fires along roads and at homes to guide the spirits to their abodes.

The tradition continues in modern day Poland, and it’s an important holiday when shops and services are closed. Poles travel to cemeteries in their hometowns to visit their relatives who have passed on. They begin by sweeping away debris and cleaning the gravestones several days before the actual holiday. Then, on November 1, families bring votive candles and flowers to decorate the graves. Here they will share stories and memories of their loved one, and one might find a local priest holding a short Mass in the cemetery. Afterward, they gather back together at home over a meal.

Imagine stepping into a graveyard after dark, where you are surrounded by a sea of chrysanthemums in all colors and lit votives decorating grave sites. Multiply this many times over, and the country is filled with millions of glowing candles that might stay lit for a week! What a sight that must be.

What traditions do you celebrate at this time of year?