Easter
First Sunday of the full moon after the spring solstice
Easter is both a joyous holiday in the early spring and a very important church holiday. Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday of the full moon after the spring solstice. The holidays end a 40-day fast that began on New Year's Eve.
The creation of the world from an egg is an ancient belief of the northern peoples, which is also reflected in the Estonian Song of Creation. The custom of painting eggs dates back to the distant past, but colored holiday eggs have gained worldwide popularity in Estonia since the 19th century. Initially, eggs were painted using natural ingredients: with onion peels (brown, dark, yellow), birch leaves (light yellow), madara (red), coffee (brown).
In addition to boiled eggs, the festive table includes food from other available ingredients that are accessible in the early spring: sweet curd with egg, curd pies, bread, egg butter, veal steak, and pork. Meat dishes were prepared with pleasure, as it was the first opportunity to eat meat after a long break. For 19th century Estonians, meat was an "exclusive" product, so holidays accompanied by meat were so special.
In Estonia and German-speaking countries, the Easter bunny hides eggs or chocolate eggs at night (in the garden/house/apartment, etc.). Children are looking for them in the morning.
Easter is both a joyous holiday in the early spring and a very important church holiday. Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday of the full moon after the spring solstice. The holidays end a 40-day fast that began on New Year's Eve.
The creation of the world from an egg is an ancient belief of the northern peoples, which is also reflected in the Estonian Song of Creation. The custom of painting eggs dates back to the distant past, but colored holiday eggs have gained worldwide popularity in Estonia since the 19th century. Initially, eggs were painted using natural ingredients: with onion peels (brown, dark, yellow), birch leaves (light yellow), madara (red), coffee (brown).
In addition to boiled eggs, the festive table includes food from other available ingredients that are accessible in the early spring: sweet curd with egg, curd pies, bread, egg butter, veal steak, and pork. Meat dishes were prepared with pleasure, as it was the first opportunity to eat meat after a long break. For 19th century Estonians, meat was an "exclusive" product, so holidays accompanied by meat were so special.
In Estonia and German-speaking countries, the Easter bunny hides eggs or chocolate eggs at night (in the garden/house/apartment, etc.). Children are looking for them in the morning.
Photo credit: Commons Wikimedia; author: Jan Kamenicek
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Photo credit: Commons Wikimedia, author: Tadeáš Gregor
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Authors:
Karl Margus Haud
Dima Papushin
Elsi Paas
Anna Poobus
Maimu Sisask
Simona Stenberg
ELU projekt
2022
Karl Margus Haud
Dima Papushin
Elsi Paas
Anna Poobus
Maimu Sisask
Simona Stenberg
ELU projekt
2022