Jack-o'-lantern

That classic American phenomenon, Halloween, is becoming more and more popular in Croatia with an array of events now dedicated to the spooky occasion.

As American as apple pie, Halloween is generally perceived as a truly American invention, and often blamed as an invasion of American culture spreading rapidly across the world. 

It used to be that families got together to carve pumpkins with their kids. But times are changing, meaning less time and more demands as far as pumpkins are concerned. That’s why Halloween is big business for artist Marc Evan, co-founder of Maniac Pumpkin Carvers with fellow artist Chris Soria, and another 10 carvers.

Greeks who scoff at Halloween, saying it has nothing to do with the traditional Greek way of life, should think again. While much of the Western world enjoys the festivities associated with the ghoulish festival, Greece is actually the place where celebrations in honor of the dead had begun.