Easter celebrations

Easter is an event in the Christian liturgical calendar. Every nation has its history, Easter traditions and recipes

by R. T.

Easter is an event in the Christian liturgical calendar, marking the resurrection of Christ three days after the Crucifixion. Easter is closely linked to the Hebrew Pesach or Pesah, that lasts eight days (seven in Israel) and recalls the liberation of the Israelites and their exodus from Egypt.

In Italy, Easter traditions differ from region to region. From North to South there are processions, sacred rites and popular celebrations. In Florence, Easter Sunday is celebrated with the lighting of a sacred fire and “lo scoppio del carro”, a historical cart pulled by garlanded white oxen, escorted by armed men, musicians and flag wavers. At Enna, as in much of Sicily, religious ceremonies and folk celebrations are held throughout the Holy Week. Processions of different confraternities in medieval costume towards the cathedral are of special interest. In the Italian culinary tradition, the Easter lamb is never absent, eggs are given and cakes in the form of doves abound.

The Spanish Easter tradition, especially that of Barcelona, places emphasis on Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem and was received with palm and olive fronds. People decorate their doors and windows with palms and palmons to protect the house from witches and evil spirits. In Catalonia, an Easter cake known as Mona, decorated with chocolate eggs, feathers and a chocolate figure that may be a character from a fable, is traditionally given by godfathers.

In England, Easter Thursday is an important day dedicated to charity. At Westminster Abbey in London, bags of money are given to the poor. On Easter Friday, the ancient tradition of cakes that protect against fire continues. At Preston, coloured eggs are rolled on the green or along the road until the shells are completely broken. Hot-cross buns are also baked on this day.

Easter bonfires are a living tradition, especially in northern Germany. On Easter Sunday, families breakfast together. The parents hide Easter baskets with sweets, eggs and small gifts. Eggs, hand painted with traditional designs, are exchanged by friends. For children, the symbol of Easter is a rabbit that hides eggs in the garden the previous night. On Easter Sunday the children go looking for eggs hidden by their parents in the garden or in the house.

Northern countries celebrate Easter as the coming of spring. Well known games include rolling eggs down a hill to see whose goes furthest without breaking. Another skill is to hold a hard-boiled egg in the hand and try to break that of the adversary. In these countries eggs also have other meanings. Eggs left in the four corners of a field, in ploughed furrows, help ensure a good harvest.

Christian orthodox countries celebrate all souls’ day on the Friday after Easter. Some still dye eggs red and place them on the graves as a wish for a happy afterlife. This tradition is linked to a legend in which Maria used to delight baby Jesus with coloured eggs. When she returned to the tomb on Easter Monday, she found it open with red eggs at the entrance.

Greek Orthodox traditions include taking home a candle lit in church. Easter specialities include cakes, Easter bread, coloured eggs and Marghiritsa, an Easter soup made with lamb.

In Russia, Easter is celebrated with a procession around the cathedral of Sargorsk, the city where the Pope of Russia resides. On Easter Sunday families unite and organize picnics on the grave of a relative. In the evening they prepare a banquet with many types of meats, fish and mushrooms.