Easter in European countries

Spain The Easter Week, known in Spain as Semana Santa, begins with the Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) and end with Lunes de Pascua (Easter Monday).On Palm Sunday, people go to mass in the morning and children carry palm leaves to be blessed by the priest.On Palm Sunday most churches organize a parade to mark the arrival of Christ into Jerusalem.On Easter Sunday, in Almaden de la Plata near Seville, rag and straw effigies of famous people are placed at different locations of the village. These dolls are finally torn apart and the pieces thrown into the air. In Castilblanco de los Arroyos, they place similar dummies in the streets which are later set on fire. The dolls are known as ‘Judas dolls’.The feast of Easter Sunday on Spain is also special. On this day, godfather presents his godchild with a cake known as ‘La Mona’. These are generally traditional pan shape found in various shapes from simple round or oval to Disney characters, toys and anything else. Another popular Spanish Easter dish r is the torrijas. It is a lovely blend of slices of warm bread soaked in milk, sugar and egg, then fried in olive oil. They are served along with wine, syrup, honey, sugar or cinnamon for extra touch of festivities.

Russia Orthodox churches in Russia have an inner sanctuary away from the reach of worshipers, and only to the access of the priest. On this day, the door is closed till midnight but at the stroke of midnight, the priest opens the door and comes out saying "Christ is risen! Christ is risen! Christ is risen!" and after hours of silent anticipation, the worshippers rely back “He is risen indeed!" Another interesting Easter ritual in Russia is the Easter egg decoration. Easter egg decoration is an important part Easter traditions in Russia. The predominant color for egg dyeing in Russia is red. The red dye is chosen because it symbolizes the blood of Christ. Furthermore, people crack the eggs open using nails, in order to remind themselves again of the death of Christ. Another integral aspect of Easter celebrations in Russia is the family Easter dinner which is a community affair at the Church itself. The Easter dinner is a sumptuous feast, in which the entire congregation celebrates together. Russian people traditionally bake Easter cakes, known as "kulich," and make curd paskha and bring it to church along with them and asked the priest to bless it before they share it together in the community celebrations.

Germany Germany is regarded the birthplace of modern day Easter icons such as Easter bunny and Easter tree. German kids were told of an "Easter bunny" (Osterhase) that hid eggs and chocolates for children to find on Easter Sunday. German immigrants to America - particularly Pennsylvania - brought the tradition with them and spread it to a wider public. Today, Easter eggs are exchanged as presents in Germany. The tradition of egg tree is also popular in Germany. Easter tree, another symbol associated with the celebration of the festival in Germany, is embellished beautifully with hollowed eggs, which are dyed and hung with colorful ribbon, throughout the Holy Week. Another unique custom associated with the celebration of Easter in Germany is the "Easter fire". For the fire, all Christmas trees are collected and burned in a special place, making a huge bonfire, clearing away the last signs of the winter and preparing for the spring. The bonfire welcomes the bountiful spring and bids goodbye to the chilly winter.

Czech Republic On Easter, people in Czech Republic eat lip smacking delicacies that are prepared especially for the festival. Usually, traditional Czech Republic recipes are made for the ceremonious occasion. Czechs eat a type of coffee bread called 'Babovka'. 'Mazanec' is another special Easter food, which is a yeast-raised cake filled with almonds, raisins and citron. A cross is cut into the top of the cake, just before it goes into the oven. Easter gingerbread, Easter Ram Cake, Judas Cake, 'God’s Mercy' (a type of doughnut sprinkled with sugar) are some of the traditional recipes, which should not be missed, when you are celebrating Easter in Czech Republic.Decoration of Easter eggs is one of the popular traditions associated with the celebration of the festival in Czech Republic. Hand-painted or decorated eggs (kraslice) are the most recognizable symbol of Easter in the European nation. Different materials including bee's wax, straw, watercolors, onion peels, stickers are used to decorate the eggs. As a part of the traditions, young girls decorate Easter eggs to give them as presents to boys, on Easter Monday.

Bulgarian Easter is one of the most significant holidays in the Bulgarian calendar. Starting with Palm Sunday, the holy week leads up to the Great Day. In the country, the festival is popularly known as "Velikden", which literally means 'the faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ'. Easter traditions in Bulgaria are a derivative of the Eastern Orthodox Church rituals. In tune with worldwide Orthodox traditions, bright red colored eggs and Easter breads known as "kolache" or "kozunak" are the prominent symbols of Easter in Bulgaria. At midnight on the Saturday before Easter Sunday, people in Bulgaria gather at church, with red painted eggs and bread. The Bulgarian 'good luck crack' is a unique Easter tradition in Bulgaria. Eggs are cracked after the midnight service and over the next few days, during the festive season of Easter. On Easter, the eggs are cracked before lunch. The egg that is cracked on the wall of the church is the first egg that people eat after the long fast of Lent. People take turns in tapping their eggs against the eggs of others, and the person who ends up with the last unbroken egg is believed to have a year of good luck. He/she is considered as the most successful, healthy and happy person for the rest of the year.

Italy Most of the Italian population is a follower of Christianity so all of the Christian festivals like Christmas, Easter and Good Friday are observed here in almost all the families. Easter, one of the major festivals of Christians is also held in high regard in the country and celebrated with great gusto. As this day is celebrated in order to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus’ after crucifixion, this day is considered to be very holy and auspicious. Though you may miss the Easter bunny in the Easter celebrations of Italy, there are many other rituals that will keep your pre-occupied in the Easter celebrations at Italy. Most of the Italian population is a follower of Christianity so all of the Christian festivals like Christmas, Easter and Good Friday are observed here in almost all the families. Easter, one of the major festivals of Christians is also held in high regard in the country and celebrated with great gusto. As this day is celebrated in order to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus’ after crucifixion, this day is considered to be very holy and auspicious. Though you may miss the Easter bunny in the Easter celebrations of Italy, there are many other rituals that will keep your pre-occupied in the Easter celebrations at Italy. The Easter dinner is usually a feast arranged with special delicacies. The most important dish is Agnellino, roasted baby lamb. Eggs feature prominently in the day's dishes, in both soups such as Brodetto Pasquale, a broth-based Easter soup thickened with eggs, and various kinds of breads, both sweet and savory. Pannetone and Colomba (dove shaped) breads are also given as gifts. Hollow chocolate eggs that usually contain something surprising inside are also presented to near and dear ones. Gifts exchange in various other forms is also popular in Italy. The Easter dinner is usually a feast arranged with special delicacies. The most important dish is Agnellino, roasted baby lamb. Eggs feature prominently in the day's dishes, in both soups such as Brodetto Pasquale, a broth-based Easter soup thickened with eggs, and various kinds of breads, both sweet and savory. Pannetone and Colomba (dove shaped) breads are also given as gifts. Hollow chocolate eggs that usually contain something surprising inside are also presented to near and dear ones. Gifts exchange in various other forms is also popular in Italy.

Poland Easter is one of the major Christian festivals celebrated in order to commemorate the holy resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion The "blessing basket" is one of the unique Easter traditions in Poland. The blessing basket is prepared the Saturday before Easter Sunday. The basket, stashed with colored eggs, bread, cake, salt, paper and white colored sausages, is taken to the church to have it blessed. This tradition stems from the belief that the Great Lent, which is the forty day fast before Easter, is not over until the basket has been blessed. Hence it is called the Blessing Basket. The family breakfast on Easter Sunday morning is an important part of Polish Easter celebration. On the breakfast table, each of the participants wishes the others of the family good luck and happiness. The table is decorated with green leaves and a sugar lamb may be placed as a centre-pieceserved.. A piece of egg with salt and pepper, sanctified by priest, is a vital item on this occasion. Another traditional ritual is Dyngus or Smingus Dyngus, celebrated on the first Monday after Easter. On this day boys roam around the neighborhood to sprinkle girls with water or perfume.

Thank you for the attention András Mór, Tamás Papp and Patrik Szekér