Have you ever heard about Easter in the Czech Republic? Some people find its traditions
strange or even bizarre, and in this article, you will find out why.
Easter celebrations date back to the 2nd century. In the Czech Republic, Easter is a
combination of pagan, Jewish, and Christian traditions. Easter traditions are held mostly in
villages, but they are quite popular in towns as well. The traditions vary in different regions of
the country.
The week before Easter is called the Holy Week, and the first important day is Ash
Wednesday. Then there is Green Thursday. On this day, people should eat something green,
such as spinach, to stay healthy throughout the year. Another option is going to the pub,
where you can get a special kind of beer - it is coloured green specifically for the holidays.
Good Friday is a day of mourning over the death of Jesus Christ and also a day dedicated to
strict fasting.
Holy Saturday is dedicated to cleaning and preparing for Easter Sunday. People put Easter
decorations on their tables, bake beránek (ram cake), or mazanec (cross bun).
Easter Monday is known for the folk tradition of whipping girls and women with
homemade pomlázka to keep them young and healthy. Boys and men make pomlázka from
willow branches and then walk door to door around the village. Girls then usually give them
colorful ribbons to decorate the pomlázka's top. Girls and women also give them hand-painted
eggs or shots of alcohol (usually homemade slivovice).
Easter eggs (kraslice in Czech) are the most famous symbol of Easter. They can be decorated
in many ways, depending on family or regional tradition. Different materials and techniques
are used, for example beeswax, onion peels, watercolors or picture stickers, and much more,
as there are no limits to creativity.
The spiritual dimension of Easter in the Catholic tradition is also vital in the Czech Republic.
But not all people celebrating Easter are catholic.
If you celebrate Easter, how do you and your family spend the holidays?
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