Easter: A Journey Through Quirky European Traditions
Easter, the time when bunnies reign supreme and chocolate becomes a legitimate breakfast choice. But did you know that beyond the chocolate eggs and fluffy rabbits, each country (and city) has its own unique spin on this egg-cellent holiday? Let's take a journey around the old continent to discover the quirkiest Easter traditions from Athens to Stockholm and some places in between.
SPAIN
In Spain, Easter and the week preceding it, known as Semana Santa or Holy Week, is one of the most significant and widely celebrated religious events of the year. Semana Santa is marked by elaborate processions that take place throughout the week, particularly in cities with rich religious traditions such as Seville, Granada, and Malaga. These processions feature ornately decorated floats (pasos) depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ or images of the Virgin Mary. Participants, including penitents wearing traditional robes and hoods, march through the streets accompanied by bands playing somber music. In addition to processions, Semana Santa is also celebrated with traditional music and dance performances, including flamenco, which holds cultural significance in many parts of Spain.
Like in many Catholic countries, food plays a central role in Semana Santa celebrations. Typical Easter foods in Spain include torrijas (similar to French toast), rosquillas (ring-shaped pastries), and hornazo (a savory meat-filled pastry). These dishes vary by region, with each area having its own culinary traditions.
To welcome spring, Valencia celebrates the Fallas festival on 19 March. Gigantic papier-mâché figures are paraded through the streets and then set ablaze in a fiery spectacle. Talk about lighting up the night sky! Shortly after, both Valencia and Madrid turn Easter into a theatrical extravaganza with their own take on Semana Santa.
However, for the biggest and most extravagant Semana Santa, head to Seville, Granada and/or Cadiz. The festivities consist of intricately decorated floats depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ are paraded through the streets followed by the scent of incense. Participants, including penitents wearing traditional robes and hoods, march through the streets accompanied by bands playing somber music. It's like stepping back in time to biblical Jerusalem!
Semana Santa
PORTUGAL
In many towns and cities across Portugal, particularly in regions with strong Catholic traditions such as Braga, Porto, and Lisbon, elaborate processions are held during Holy Week. These processions often feature statues depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ, carried through the streets in solemn marches accompanied by prayers and hymns. Lisbon celebrates Easter with the Festa do Espírito Santo, or Festival of the Holy Spirit, where colorful processions, traditional music, and feasting abound. Families open their homes to share food and hospitality with neighbors and strangers alike, embodying the spirit of community and generosity.
Like in other Catholic countries, many Portuguese observe the Lenten season leading up to Easter by fasting or abstaining from certain foods, particularly meat, on Good Friday. Traditional Lenten dishes such as bacalhau (salted cod) and caldo verde (a traditional soup made with greens and potatoes) are commonly consumed during this time.
Easter in Portugal is a time for feasting with family and friends. Traditional Easter meals often include roasted lamb or goat, folar (a sweet bread traditionally flavored with anise and containing whole eggs baked into the dough), and other regional specialties. Desserts may include pão-de-ló (a sponge cake) and various sweets made with almonds and eggs.
ITALY
Easter holds significant religious importance for Italians, particularly those who identify as Catholics. Church services, including Masses and processions, are held throughout Holy Week, leading up to Easter Sunday, to commemorate the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In many cities and towns across Italy, especially in regions with strong Catholic traditions such as Rome, Florence, and Sicily, elaborate processions take place during Holy Week. These processions often feature statues depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ, carried through the streets by religious confraternities in solemn marches accompanied by prayers, hymns, and incense.
Easter in Italy is a time for feasting with family and friends, with traditional foods varying by region. One common Easter dish is agnello al forno (roast lamb), symbolizing the Lamb of God. Other traditional dishes may include torta Pasqualina (a savory Easter pie), Colomba di Pasqua and carciofi alla romana.
Move over, chocolate eggs: in Milan, it's all about the Colomba di Pasqua, a dove-shaped Easter cake made with candied fruit and almonds. It's so delicious, you'll be cooing like a contented bird. When in Rome, do as the Romans do—and that means indulging in a traditional Easter breakfast of carciofi alla romana (Roman-style artichokes), Colomba di Pasqua (that dove-shaped cake we mentioned earlier) and hard-boiled eggs. Bellissimo! For its part, Florence celebrates Easter with the Scoppio del Carro, or Explosion of the Cart, where a cart filled with fireworks is ignited outside the Duomo.
Colomba di Pasqua
FRANCE
In France, Easter, known as Pâques in French, is celebrated with a mix of religious observances and secular traditions. The Easter Bunny is not as prominent as it is in some other countries. Instead, the focus is on the Cloches de Pâques (Easter bells). Check them out in one of France’s beautiful cities and towns, say Marseille or Annecy. According to tradition, church bells remain silent from Maundy Thursday until Easter Sunday, when they ring out joyously to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Children are told that the bells have flown to Rome to see the Pope and return with chocolate eggs, which they then find hidden around their homes or gardens.
Easter in France is also a time for feasting with family and friends. Traditional Easter meals vary by region but often include lamb, which symbolizes the sacrificial lamb of God in Christian tradition. Other common dishes include roasted chicken, ham, asparagus, and various spring vegetables. Desserts may include Easter-themed cakes, pastries, and chocolates.
GREECE
In Greece, Easter is the most significant religious holiday of the year, celebrated with deeply rooted traditions and customs. The week leading up to Easter, known as Holy Week or Megali Evdomada (Μεγάλη Εβδομάδα) in Greek, is marked by special church services, including the liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Many Greeks attend church services throughout Holy Week, which culminates in the midnight Easter vigil on Holy Saturday.
The midnight Resurrection service on Holy Saturday is the highlight of Greek Easter celebrations. Churches are adorned with flowers and candles, and at midnight, the Resurrection is announced with the striking of bells and the chanting of Christos Anesti (Χριστὸς ἀνέστη, "Christ is risen"). People then share the holy light from the church's candle, symbolizing the resurrection of Christ.
Following the midnight Resurrection service, families return home to enjoy a festive Easter meal, known as the Paschal feast. Traditional foods include roasted lamb or goat, tsoureki (sweet Easter bread), dyed eggs (often red to symbolize the blood of Christ), and other special dishes. In Athens in particular, Easter Sunday is spent preparing and devouring a whole lamb. Give it a try!
CROATIA
In Croatia, Easter, known as Uskrs in Croatian, is a significant religious holiday celebrated with various traditions and customs. Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter Sunday, is marked by solemn observances and rituals in Croatia. This includes the reading of the Passion of Christ, processions, and the veneration of the Cross on Good Friday.
Easter in Croatia is celebrated with festive meals shared with family and friends. Traditional Easter dishes often include roast lamb, ham, sausages, and various regional specialties. Bread, cakes, and pastries are also an essential part of the Easter feast.
On Easter Sunday morning, it is common for Croatians to bring baskets filled with food to church to be blessed by the priest. These baskets typically contain Easter eggs, bread, ham, sausages, cheese, and other traditional foods. The blessed food is then shared with family members during the Easter breakfast. And if you happen to stroll through any Croatian city or town (such as Zagreb or Split) on Easter morn, don't be shocked by the sight of folks lugging these treasure troves of tasty treats. It's just how they roll in Croatia, turning breakfast into a blessed affair.
AUSTRIA
In Austria, Easter holds significant religious importance for many Austrians, particularly those who identify as Christians. Church services, including Easter Sunday Mass and special liturgical services throughout Holy Week, are attended by those who observe the Christian faith.
In the weeks leading up to Easter, Vienna and many other cities and towns in Austria host Easter markets (Ostermärkte) where vendors sell a variety of Easter-related goods, crafts, and decorations. These markets often feature traditional foods, handmade crafts, and Easter-themed gifts.
Easter in Austria is typically celebrated with festive meals shared with family and friends. Traditional Easter dishes may include roast lamb, ham, sausages, and various side dishes such as potato salad, green salads, and bread.
HUNGARY
In the weeks leading up to Easter, many towns and cities in Hungary host Easter markets ("Húsvéti vásár" in Hungarian) where vendors sell a variety of Easter-related goods, crafts, and decorations. These markets often feature traditional foods, handmade crafts, and Easter-themed gifts.
Easter in Hungary is celebrated with festive meals shared with family and friends. Traditional Easter dishes may include ham, roast lamb, sausages, and various side dishes such as stuffed peppers, potatoes, and salads. Desserts may include sweet breads, cakes, and pastries, such as the traditional Easter bread known as kalács. Try it out in Budapest!
Easter Monday, known as Húsvéthétfő in Hungarian, is a public holiday in Hungary and has a very peculiar tradition associated with it. Traditionally, it is a day for family gatherings and outdoor activities. One popular custom is the tradition of sprinkling or watering, where young men playfully sprinkle water or perfume on young women as a symbol of fertility, rejuvenation, and good luck for the coming year. In return, women often give decorated eggs or sweets to the men.
CZECHIA
Easter in Czechia is celebrated with festive meals shared with family and friends. Traditional Easter dishes may include roast lamb, roast duck, smoked meats, and various side dishes such as potato salad, sauerkraut, and dumplings. Desserts may include sweet breads, cakes, and pastries, such as the traditional Easter bread known as mazanec.
Easter Monday, known as Velikonoční pondělí in Czech, is a public holiday in the Czech Republic. In Prague and the rest of the country, it means whipping. Yes, you heard that correctly. Boys playfully whip girls with handmade whips called pomlázka (a decorated willow branch as a symbol of fertility, rejuvenation, and good health for the coming year). In return, women often give decorated eggs, sweets, or a kiss to the men.
(As I'm sure many of you might agree, I have my doubts about this tradition, but hey, who am I to rain on Czech parades? Visit Prague for its countless other charms instead :)).
DENMARK
Easter in Denmark is celebrated with festive meals shared with family and friends. Traditional Easter dishes may include roast lamb, ham, eggs, potatoes, and various side dishes. Try some of these in one of Copenhagen’s fabulous restaurants.
In some parts of Denmark, particularly in rural areas, Easter is celebrated with bonfires (påskeløb) lit on Easter Saturday night. These bonfires symbolize the end of winter and the arrival of spring, and they are often accompanied by singing, dancing, and socializing.
But Easter isn't just about eggs and bunnies—it's about witches too! Children dress up as witches and go door to door, trading handmade Easter decorations for candy. Watch out, Hogwarts, Denmark's got some serious competition… Well, the tradition is actually Swedish, so keep on reading.
SWEDEN
One unique Easter tradition in Sweden is the celebration of Easter witches (påskkärringar). Children dress up as witches and go door to door, handing out drawings and cards in exchange for candy, similar to Halloween. This tradition has its roots in old folklore and is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck for the coming year.
Easter is celebrated with festive meals shared with family and friends. Traditional Easter dishes may include herring, salmon, meatballs, potatoes, and various side dishes. Desserts may include semla (a sweet bun filled with almond paste and whipped cream) and other Easter-themed sweets. Also, Easter is all about Påskmust, a traditional soda that tastes like a cross between root beer and cola. It's like liquid Easter in a bottle - check it out on your visit to Stockholm.
From the fiery festivities of Stockholm to the fragrant feasts of Cadiz, Easter traditions around the world offer a kaleidoscope of cultural delights and quirky customs. So whether you're cracking eggs in Copenhagen or parading through the streets of Florence, one thing's for sure - Easter is a time to celebrate, indulge, and embrace the unique traditions that make each city shine bright like a beautifully decorated egg. So hop to it, and let the Easter adventures begin! Make sure you share your comments below and … Happy Easter!
