b'SEASONAL FEATUREAs the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, autumn brings a season of enchanting celebrations worldwide. In this issue of TheGuy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonre Night, is an annual commemoration on 5th November primarily in Great Networker, we would like toBritain. People all over the country light up bonres, enjoy reworks displays, and hold bonre parties. The night dates highlight the diverse cultures andback to 1605 when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested for guarding explosives placed beneath the House of Lords, intended to assassinate King James I. Celebrating the king\'s survival, people lit bonres around London. their celebrations during this magical time of theToday, egies of Guy Fawkes, often referred to as "Guys," are traditionally burned on bonres, symbolizing the failure of year.the plot. The festivities are accompanied by delicious seasonal treats such as toee apples, parkin cake, and roasted chestnuts. Communities come together to revel in the vibrant displays and their historical signicance.Ireland, the birthplace of Halloween, celebrates the ancient festival of Samhain, marking the end of the harvest Raise your steins and don your lederhosen! Oktoberfest in Munich is the world\'s largest beer festival,season and the beginning of winter. This mystical celebration dates back over 2,000 years and is rooted in Celtic where millions gather to enjoy traditional Bavarian music, hearty foods, and, of course, a wide variety oftraditions. Bonres blaze across the countryside, believed to ward o evil spirits and provide protection for the beers. It is a 1618-day celebration of fun, avour, and festivity, steeped in over 200 years of history. Youcoming year.can enjoy massive beer tents, each oering a unique atmosphere and selection of brews, alongside thrillingSamhain is considered a magical time when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest, allowing for a amusement rides and vibrant parades. Traditional attire, like dirndls and lederhosen, adds to the festivecloser connection with the spirit world. Ancestors are honoured with oerings of food and drink, and it is believed that spirit, creating a colourful and lively backdrop for this cultural extravaganza. Whether you\'re sampling pretzels,the spirits of loved ones return to visit their families. In modern Ireland, Samhain is celebrated with a blend of ancient bratwursts, or the famous roast chicken, Oktoberfest promises an unforgettable experience of Bavariancustoms and contemporary festivities, including Halloween-themed events in cities like Dublin and Derry, where haunted houses, hospitality and merriment. Prost!ghost tours, and reworks displays draw locals and tourists alike. Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali illuminates India with dazzling displays of lamps, reworks, andBarcelona\'s La Merc festival is a vibrant celebration of Catalan culture, featuring parades, human vibrant decorations. This ve-day festival, celebrated by millions across India and worldwide, marks the triumphtowers, reworks, and concerts. This week-long event, held in late September, honours the city\'s of light over darkness and good over evil. Homes, temples, and streets are adorned with rows of oil lamps called Diyas,patronsaint,OurLadyofMercy.ThefestivitieskickowiththetraditionalTocd\'Inici,a colourful rangoli designs, and strings of lights, creating a mesmerizing and festive atmosphere. Families come togetherceremonial drumroll signalling the start of the celebrations. The festival culminates in a grand to perform traditional prayers, exchange gifts, and share sumptuous feasts featuring an array of sweets and savoury dishes.parade, the Cavalcada de la Merc, featuring giant puppets, mythical creatures, and colourful Diwali also signies new beginnings and is often a time for cleaning and renovating homes, settling debts, and wearing newoats, bringing the streets alive with music, dance, and spectacular displays. La Merc truly clothes. The festival\'s joyous spirit is further enhanced by cultural performances, music, and dance, making Diwali a trulytransforms Barcelona into a citywide party, celebrating the rich heritage and vibrant spirit of enchanting and spiritually uplifting celebration for all who partake. All Saints\' Day, observed on November 1st, is a Christian solemnity that honours all saints, known and unknown, A day of feasting! Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated in October and November incelebrating their holiness and contributions to the faith. Across Eastern Europe, it involves attending church the United States, Canada, and unocially in countries like Brazil, Germany, and the Philippines.services, decorating graves with owers and candles, and reecting on the lives of saints and deceased loved ones.The day commemorates and celebrates the harvest and the many blessings of the past year. In many countries, this day is a public holiday, allowing families to come together in remembrance and prayer.Fun fact: the origins of Thanksgiving date back to 1621 when the Plymouth colonists from England and the NativeTraditions vary, with some regions holding processions or special masses, while others have communal gatherings at Americans shared an autumn harvest feast, marking one of the rst Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. Today, Thanksgiving is a time for familycemeteries where stories of the saints and departed loved ones are shared. The day serves as a poignant reminder of the and friends to gather and enjoy a bountiful meal, typically featuring roasted turkey, stung, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Thespiritual connection between the living and the departed, fostering a sense of unity and reverence within the Christian holiday also includes traditions such as watching parades, and football games and expressing gratitude for life\'s blessings. In addition to its historicalcommunity. signicance, Thanksgiving fosters a sense of community and togetherness, reminding people of the importance of giving thanks and sharing with others. The Networker Autumn 2024 15.'