Kekri is the traditional harvest and new year's festival of the Finns. The festivities also involved hospitality for the dead.
The word Kekri refers to the Karelian god which protects cattle. Another name for the festival was Köyri.
Many Kekri traditions and customs - such as the melting of tin, straw decorations, and familiar delicacies, such as rutabaga and potato casserole - have become part of Christmas and New Year's celebrations.
In the 19th century, Kekri was linked with All Saints' Day, a holiday dedicated to saints and the dead, celebrated on the first of November. Since 1955 All Saints' Day has been celebrated on the first Saturday of November.
The word Halloween evolved from All-hallows-even - the night before All Saints' Day.
Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic Samhain celebrations marking the new year. The pumpkin symbol was originally a turnip, which had been given by the Devil to a man named Jack to use as a lantern. When Irish immigrants brought the tradition to America, the turnip turned into a pumpkin.
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 30.10.2006
