EASTER IN HUNGARY

The Hungarians call Lent the Great Fast. During Lent it was forbidden to eat any meat. Therefore the day before Ash Wednesday is called the Meat Abandoning Tuesday.

On Palm Sunday, it was customary to bless the various flowers of the season. In fact, the flowers are still mentioned after the prayer of blessing. Thus, the name Flower Sunday i i i is used in Hungary.

Good Friday was spent in total fast almost all over the country. By the time Good Friday had arrived the house was clean, the baking completed and the eggs decorated.

Holy Saturday was - still is - the day of blessing of the food. In a food basket smoked ham, red eggs [=decorated eggs] and salt, in some places also wine is taken to the church to be blessed. This food will be eaten after the resurrection ceremonies Holy Saturday was - still is - the day of blessing of the food. In a food basket smoked ham, red eggs [=decorated eggs] and salt, in some places also wine is taken to the church to be blessed. This food will be eaten after the resurrection ceremonies

Easter is referred to as the Festival of Meat. On this day meat can be eaten again after the long fast(40days). Easter is referred to as the Festival of Meat. On this day meat can be eaten again after the long fast(40days).

Hungarian children exchange decorated eggs as a token of their friendship at Easter. Hungarian men often decorate and present eggs themselves - gifts that the girls would treasure for many years. Hungarian children exchange decorated eggs as a token of their friendship at Easter. Hungarian men often decorate and present eggs themselves - gifts that the girls would treasure for many years.

Easter Monday (Dousing Day, Water Plunge Monday) is the main reason for which eggs are decorated in Hungary. Boys surprise the girls by dousing them thoroughly with bottles of water. Easter Monday (Dousing Day, Water Plunge Monday) is the main reason for which eggs are decorated in Hungary. Boys surprise the girls by dousing them thoroughly with bottles of water.

It was expected that the girls accept this all well and reward their tormentors with decorated eggs, bread and a glass of brandy/wine - or all three. The dousing was supposed to make of them good future wives with many children. It was expected that the girls accept this all well and reward their tormentors with decorated eggs, bread and a glass of brandy/wine - or all three. The dousing was supposed to make of them good future wives with many children.

Mostly every village had its own egg-decorating artist, an old woman who had done the work all her life. Who were not very skilled couldn’t get the decorated egg from her. Mostly every village had its own egg-decorating artist, an old woman who had done the work all her life. Who were not very skilled couldn’t get the decorated egg from her.

At Easter we wish one another: HAPPY EASTER AND MANY RED EGGS!