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October 31st • Folklore & Psychology

Halloween

From the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain to a multi-billion dollar global industry, Halloween is one of the world's most enduring celebrations. Every October 31st, we confront our deepest fears through costumes, horror movies, and ghost stories. Today, we look beyond the candy to debate the psychology of fear, the importance of folklore in modern society, and why humans are so fascinated by the supernatural. Why do we enjoy being scared?

A spooky pumpkin in a dark forest

Speaking Discussion

  • Why do you think humans enjoy being scared (e.g., watching horror movies or going on rollercoasters)? What is the science behind this safe fear?
  • Does your culture have an ancient festival or tradition related to the spirits of the dead? How does it compare to modern Halloween?
  • Why is folklore (ghost stories, urban legends) still so powerful in our modern, scientific world? Do we still need myths?
  • In your opinion, has Halloween become too commercialised? Do we lose the original spiritual meaning when everything is about candy and plastic?
  • If you were trapped in a haunted house for one night, which three items would you want to have with you? Why?
  • Do you believe that some things in this world simply cannot be explained by science? Or is everything eventually solvable?

Activity 1: The urban legend Pitch

The Task: You are a Folklore Expert. You need to invent a new urban legend for your city that will go viral.

What is the story, and what is the moral of the legend?

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Sentences

Complete the sentence and justify it in 20 seconds.

  • "The scariest thing in the world is..."
  • "I think ancient traditions are..."
  • "In my opinion, fear is..."