All Hallows Eve is celebrated on November 1st in the Czech Republic as a day to remember loved ones who have passed. Halloween is also becoming increasingly popular. Both have the potential to bring people in a community together, as some of our grantees have shown.
n Skvorec, the local Neighborhood Association has created a new Halloween tradition. They invite locals to set up spooky displays in front of their house or at any location in the village. Some of the haunted creations included, for example, hawks, witches, an executioner with a hanged man and the ghostly White Lady (notorious for haunting Czech castles). The members of the Association created a map of the displays that was available both as a download on their website and as a printout at the village square. At each spooky display, there was a small task for children to complete. Lots of residents turned out – in fact it seemed that the entire village was out in the streets! At the end they handed out tea, cake and balloons to the participants.
A Yurt in Jahodova
The Tasmánek Club in Jahodova near Rychnov nad Kněžnou organizes activities for children. The members run a “forest clubhouse”, which they built by themselves on a grassy site on a hill. The idea to build a clubhouse came from the landowners, who wanted to make some meaningful use of the site. They offered it to Tasmánek for a very small rental fee. Within 3 years, Tasmánek Club members installed a yurt imported directly from Mongolia with original handmade decorations and built flower beds, a campfire circle and a guinea pig shelter with a maze. Thanks to Via Foundation and our donors, they were able to purchase two essential items – composting toilets and photovoltaic panels – both of which are important since the property is secluded and has no utility connections. In addition to the forest club for children, they also organize events for the public. In October, they held an autumn festival with a bonfire and pumpkin carving.
Keeping trees cozy
The PermaNet Association, located in Růžďka near Vsetín in Moravia, brings together people interested in permaculture and sustainable living. The association’s members have been providing educational events for the public for more than 20 years. They now carry out many of their events in the Prales garden, which they created out of a long-neglected and unused site.
One of their recent projects involved building an interpretative trail. The grand opening of the trail last year was attended by local residents and as well as curious people from the broader region. Most of the visitors said they were excited about the idea of having community events in Růžďka, especially in the lovely forested area. Based on this feedback from the community, the PermaNet Association decided to build a shelter for events in the Prales garden. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. In the meantime, the association is organizing outdoor events, such as the Arbor Day celebration, where we took these photos.
