While decorating Easter eggs, collecting candy from the Easter bunny and gathering with family and friends, you might wonder how Easter is celebrated elsewhere. And since Saxion has an international community full of students from all over the world, I decided to ask them about their Easter traditions.
Hi all! Before jumping into the topic of Easter, could you shortly introduce yourself?
Yanislav: ''Sure! I’m Yanislav, (Yani for short), 2nd year International Human Resource Management Student (IHRM) from Bulgaria.”
Timothy: “Hi there! My name is Timothy Iborg, a current third year at Saxion, studying International Human Resource Management. I have a rather unique national background, as I am half Indonesian from my mother’s side as well as half German from my father’s side. I was born in Germany till I was 6, from which I moved to Indonesia and practically grew up there.”
Valentin: “And I am Valentin, 21 years old, 2nd year Tourism Management student from Bulgaria.''
Tell me, how do you celebrate Easter?
Yanislav: “So, we celebrate it by painting eggs, make a ‘Kozunak’ and egg tapping.”
Valentin: ''That's right! There are many way people around the world celebrate Easter but for Bulgarians eggs, “kozunak” and lam are 3 main elements that must be present on the table. Nowadays, there are many changes from the usual way of celebration but painting the eggs on Thursday, having “kozunak” or lam on the table, going to church and wearing new clothes are attributes which haven’t changed. After going to church, the whole family gathers around the table and celebrates by eating and drinking.”
That sounds lovely! I used to march with my music club during Easter. We are not a marching band except with easter. We then play easter music while guiding the crowd of children in the march around my village. The kids usually get something sweet to eat during the walk and we walk through elderly homes to entertain them. And how about you Timothy?
Timothy: “The Easter holiday has always been a very relaxing time for me, since as I celebrate in both the religious and holiday side of it, it was always in a very peaceful and therapeutic occurrence.
Early in the morning, me and my mom would get ready to head to church, attending the morning easter sermon and use the subsequent time to greet my neighbors and friends. Another major activity that was prevalent in my childhood was painting eggs with my mother. This was always a therapeutic experience, sitting down in the living room with the easter sun shining brightly, calmy painting eggs into fun colors and patterns. My mom was always a very artistic person, so she would decorate the house with our painted eggs as well as other ornaments to really set off the easter atmosphere. Lastly, me and my mother would sit down again and write letters to our family members both in Germany and Indonesia, as well as our friends. We would use nice colored paper and envelopes, making fun decorations then drive to the post office to drop them off.”
What is the meaning behind celebrating Easter in your culture?
Yanislav: “Well, the meaning behind celebrating Easter in Bulgaria is that this holiday aims to strengthen the spiritual connection and respect among the family.”
Valentin: “Indeed. The main meaning of Easter for Bulgarians is that Jesus proves to be son of god as he resurrects 3 day after being killed. It is a holiday where you spend your time with your family and just have a nice and calm day.”
Timothy: ''That's the same for us!''
In the Netherlands, the meaning is usually religious too. But I think it is much more than that as it is a way to spend time with your family and do something fun! I’m not religious yet I still celebrate easter. From religion there are more explanation as to why the kids march and stuff, but I personally do not know them. And what about Easter customs?
Yanislav: “In Bulgaria, there are several traditions for Easter. The first one is the painting of eggs using different colours and ways. The first egg should be red and with it, the parents rub the cheeks and foreheads of the children of the house for health and happiness during the year. Another tradition is the ‘Kozunak’ which is a typical Easter bread made by an old woman in a special way. On the day of Easter, after the church ritual, on lunch or dinner, there is an egg tapping. It is believed that the last person with no broken egg will be healthy, during the whole year.”
Valentin: ''The Bulgarian egg custom for us is that the meaning of the red egg is that if there is a guest in the house you should give him the red egg so the fortune never leaves your house.”
Bulgarian eggs with the red egg for fortune.
And what is traditional Easter food in your culture, beside eggs obviously?
Timothy: “Coming home I would be greeted to a particular smell from the kitchen, freshly baked bread that my dad has been baking. This is where the German side of my family intertwines, with my dad baking German Hefezopf, a traditional yeast bread that has been braided, giving this beautiful and rustic pattern. I have many joyous memories of eating it fresh with butter, while my parents sip on their coffee.”
Thanks a lot! It was very interesting to learn more about the different Easter traditions you all have. Happy Easter!
Yanislav and Valentin: Chestit Velikden!
Timothy: Frohe Ostern!
