"Live life to the fullest, and focus on the positive." Matt Cameron
The Festival of Life was started as a reaction against Halloween. The foremost reason was to offer a fun alternative to Halloween where life can be celebrated in all its fullness. Globally uncertainty, fear and death surround us. With The Festival of Life, when we celebrate, we focus on the good, the positive and the abundance life has to offer. So join us and have fun for all the right reasons.
Over the last couple of years there has been a great increase in the celebration of Halloween in some areas of South Africa. Initially I did not make much of it, but ended up asking the question "What is Halloween all about?". I came across an interesting article on www.history.com that offers a summary of Halloween, it is worth a read.
I am a Christian and with my personally believes in mind I had to make a choice regarding my level of involvement with Halloween. It is not a festival I can celebrate... but I do like a good party! So in 2013 we kicked off with our first Festival of Life event (FOL). It offers an alternative to Halloween. The Festival of Life has its start in our personal believes and world view. Saying that we want to state that it is not a religious festival. We invite all people to join us in celebrating life. Please join us and celebrate the FOL this year on the 31st of October. Regards Estelle |
I am a Christian and mother of two living in Johannesburg, South Africa. I only became aware that there is much more to Halloween than the “trick or treat” we see on television, when my sister and her family moved to the USA and started telling us what happens beyond the dressing up and collecting sweets. I was shocked to learn that some families erect graves for every family member in their garden and hang skeletons and ghosts on their trees. I learnt Halloween is actually a celebration and glorification of death. But - who looks forward to dying? Who celebrates defeat? Who feels like having fun when you stare death in the face, considering the threat of global terrorism? Then why celebrate this?
Understandably many people are attracted to Halloween by the lure of getting together, dressing up, collecting sweets and having fun. Instead of telling my children and other people “do not celebrate Halloween” I would rather give them the opportunity have a celebration for the right reasons and based on the right principles. I was delighted to discover that a good friend of mine shares this sentiment with me and this is how “The Festival of Life” came about. We have put forward a concept that will enable us to celebrate everything associated with life and light and allow us to experience joy. Regards Nicola |
