On Monday, many people were out until late celebrating Halloween, knowing that they would be off from work on Tuesday. But what is celebrated today in Belgium, and what shops and services are open?
Tuesday 1 November marks All Saints' Day, which is recognised as an official public holiday in Belgium. The day is also known as All Hallows Day or the Feast of All Saints and is celebrated by the Western church. The holiday always falls on the first day of November.
The day follows All Saints' Eve on 31 October (a Monday this year), alternatively known as All Hallows Eve or Halloween, the traditional start to the three-day period of remembrance of the dead.
Who is remembered and what are today's traditions?
According to official celebrations, 1 November marks the day to commemorate the "communion of saints," made up of men and women who have placed their hope in Jesus Christ through baptism.
On this day, people who believe that the deceased go to Heaven but continue to be strongly bound to those who remain on Earth celebrate all known saint figures and martyrs, but also their lesser-known beloved ones who led others to a life of faith and who have since passed away.
On All Saints' Day, people put down Credit: Belga/ Nicolas Maeterlinck
The main practice of people commemorating the dead today is attending Mass, where the saints are remembered in the Eucharist. In Belgium, observers attend church but most importantly they visit cemeteries to lay chrysanthemums and candles on the graves of their deceased loved ones.
On Wednesday (2 November), the "Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed" (All Souls’ Day) is celebrated, when the Church remembers and prays for the faithful departed. On this day, religious people pray, particularly, for all the souls in purgatory.
What is open today?
Throughout these three days of celebration, many people in Belgium, especially those working in public services, have several days off. Others make the so-called bridge when the holiday falls after the weekend, as was the case this year.
As All Saints' Day is a public holiday, most shops are closed, however, some AD and Proxy Delhaize shops, as well as smaller Albert Heijn and Carrefour shops will remain open but with limited opening hours (usually similar to Sunday opening hours).
Most clothing and shoe shops are closed on 1 November, but some stores choose to stay open, such as Maasmechelen Village, for example. Meanwhile, many amusement parks and zoos will remain open, but will likely do so at a later hour and close sooner.
Government offices, from town and city halls to the Centres for Social Services libraries, are also closed. These also make the bridge, and take 2 November off, meaning many services will be closed for five days in a row this year, until Wednesday 2 November.
Related News
Post offices will also make the bridge, meaning they are closed on Monday 31 October as well as 1 November. There will be no postal or newspaper delivery on 1 November.
Meanwhile, all banks will be closed on 1 November, but customers will still be able to access their electronic banking services and visit self-banking payment terminals and banknote dispensers.
Police services remain accessible at all times, even on public holidays, though district offices are closed, meaning they are not available for administrative matters. Those needing urgent police assistance should call the emergency number 112.
