All Saints' Day is a significant religious holiday in Hungary that is celebrated on the 1st of November each year. The holiday, known as Mindenszentek in Hungarian, is an opportunity for Hungarians to honor all the saints of the church, both known and unknown. The day is marked by various religious and cultural customs with entire families gathering to reflect and remember their loved ones.
One of the important traditions associated with All Saints' Day in Hungary is the visitation of cemeteries. Families come together to clean and decorate the graves of their departed family members with flowers, especially chrysanthemums, and candles. With thousands of candles lighting up the cemeteries, it presents a spectacular sight at night that symbolizes the remembrance of souls who have passed away.
Even though All Saints' Day is primarily a religious holiday, it is also a public holiday in Hungary. This gives an opportunity for many people to spend the day on family gatherings and grave visits. It's worth noting that All Saints' Day is not only a day of mourning and remembrance but also a day of reunion and celebration of life, where people share memories and stories about their loved ones, infusing the day with warmth and love.