Dear readers,

I am writing this in the early hours of the morning as the mist settles on the rooftops of the blocks of flats here in Prague. It is the only time I can actually accomplish anything because everyone is asleep. It provides the oh-so-important headspace I don’t get during the day. It’s too noisy, and everybody demands a piece of me—my attention and answers to gazillions of questions.

Then ‘the quiet hour’ comes, and I can pay the bills, mark the essays, fill in forms for various authorities (Do you also feel that you need at least three PhDs to understand bureaucratic lingo? Why can’t they use plain language? Is it the same in every country, or can I consider moving somewhere where matters are more user-friendly?), or simply dream up new stories. The upcoming Halloween, or All Hallows’ Eve, or as we call it ‘All Souls’ Day,’ is a perfect opportunity to sit down with a hot cup of chocolate and tell each other spooky stories. After all, we humans love to be scared as long as the danger is not real.

Most of the world knows the American version of the holiday, but its origins are far more spiritual and older, going back to the times of the ancient Celts who once inhabited large parts of Europe. In many parts of Europe, people celebrate life and remember their ancestors by lighting candles in their memory.

Coincidentally, this year the originally European holiday falls on the same day as the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali.

So, when next week and the next edition of our magazine come along, enjoy a fabulous story by Frances Holland to mark the occasion. Wherever you are, and whatever belief or religion you follow, hold hands with your nearest and dearest and share stories.

I am writing this in the early hours of the morning as the mist settles on the rooftops of the blocks of

Keep smiling and keep writing,

Love,

Natalie