Welcoming Spring - Traditions in Europe
Bulgarian Martenitsa
In Bulgaria every spring, every Bulgarian can be seen wearing a small
red-and-white token made of yarn. This is a martenitsa, and it is
belongs to an ancient tradition that might be more than 6000 years old.
On March 1 every year Bulgarians approach friends and family members
with the greeting “Chestita Baba Marta” (roughly translated as
“Blessings of Grandmother March”) and with each greeting they give a
martenitsa. The recipient then must wear the martenitsa until the first
stork of the spring is sighted (or until they see the blossom on a tree
or until the end of March – depending on where in Bulgaria they happen
to live).
At that time, the take off the martenitsa and hang it on the branch of a tree – or any living plant – as a gift to Mother Nature. Almost any time of year, you can spot these small red-and-white tokens still hanging from trees in public parks throughout Bulgaria.
Martenitsas can be of many different forms – from very complex to very simple. There are two basic types, however, the kind that is pinned to one’s shirt collar (and is often in the form of a tiny human being) and the kind that is worn around the wrist.
There are a number of folk stories told about the martenitsa, but many scholars report that it is most likely a modern holdover of an ancient Thracian summer fertility ritual. The white and red were ancient colours for the male and female respectively, and the fusion of the two was considered a strong magical force for fertility in all of nature.
The tradition of the martenitsa is strictly limited to Bulgaria and to a few areas immediately around the Bulgarian borders. These locations represent the central area controlled by the many tribes of Thrace from 4000 B.C.E. until the arrival of Slavic peoples in the early centuries of the Common Era.
At that time, the take off the martenitsa and hang it on the branch of a tree – or any living plant – as a gift to Mother Nature. Almost any time of year, you can spot these small red-and-white tokens still hanging from trees in public parks throughout Bulgaria.
Martenitsas can be of many different forms – from very complex to very simple. There are two basic types, however, the kind that is pinned to one’s shirt collar (and is often in the form of a tiny human being) and the kind that is worn around the wrist.
There are a number of folk stories told about the martenitsa, but many scholars report that it is most likely a modern holdover of an ancient Thracian summer fertility ritual. The white and red were ancient colours for the male and female respectively, and the fusion of the two was considered a strong magical force for fertility in all of nature.
The tradition of the martenitsa is strictly limited to Bulgaria and to a few areas immediately around the Bulgarian borders. These locations represent the central area controlled by the many tribes of Thrace from 4000 B.C.E. until the arrival of Slavic peoples in the early centuries of the Common Era.
Nevruz Celebration in Turkey
The word Nevruz is of Persian origin and is a combination of the
words “ nev” (new) and “ruz” (day), meaning new day. According to the
old Persian calendar, it is the first day of the year and regarded as
the start of spring, when the sun enters the house of Aries.
The sun gives more light and heat to the southern hemisphere until March 21, after which this applies to the northern hemisphere instead. That is why March 21 is a day to celebrate for people living in the northern hemisphere as the symbol of awakening and creation.
According to Persian mythology, God created the world, man and the sun on this day. Kiyumers, the legendary Persian ruler, declared this day to be a festival when he ascends the throne. Jemshid, the symbol of magnificence in Persia , also ascended the throne on this day. In addition, Jem, the seventh grandson of the Prophet Adam, came to Azerbaijan on March 21 and declared it to be a day of celebration.
Nevruz, which goes by various names such as Nevruz-i Sultan, Sultan Nevruz, Navrız and Mart dokuzu in Anatolia, is celebrated differently in different regions. It is also a ceremony for abundance in regions where people generally work in agriculture. It also has a faith-related significance in Alawite-Bektashi communities.
In Alawite-Bektashi communities, Nevruz is the birthday of Ali, and also the day when Ali and Fatma married. In addition, it is the day the Prophet Mohammad designated Ali as his caliph after his return from the Farewell Hadj. On the morning of this day, people drink milk after the guide has read prayers. They read poems called Nevruziye, nefes (a poem read by dervishes) and Mevlit (a religious poem and prayer chanted either in memory of a dead person or to mark a special religious occasion) in memory of Ali. They visit graves with pastries that have been prepared earlier and eat these there.
Nevruz, which every society celebrates in forms peculiar to itself, still exists with traditional celebrations in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tatarstan, the Uygur region, Anatolia and the Balkans.
The sun gives more light and heat to the southern hemisphere until March 21, after which this applies to the northern hemisphere instead. That is why March 21 is a day to celebrate for people living in the northern hemisphere as the symbol of awakening and creation.
According to Persian mythology, God created the world, man and the sun on this day. Kiyumers, the legendary Persian ruler, declared this day to be a festival when he ascends the throne. Jemshid, the symbol of magnificence in Persia , also ascended the throne on this day. In addition, Jem, the seventh grandson of the Prophet Adam, came to Azerbaijan on March 21 and declared it to be a day of celebration.
Nevruz, which goes by various names such as Nevruz-i Sultan, Sultan Nevruz, Navrız and Mart dokuzu in Anatolia, is celebrated differently in different regions. It is also a ceremony for abundance in regions where people generally work in agriculture. It also has a faith-related significance in Alawite-Bektashi communities.
In Alawite-Bektashi communities, Nevruz is the birthday of Ali, and also the day when Ali and Fatma married. In addition, it is the day the Prophet Mohammad designated Ali as his caliph after his return from the Farewell Hadj. On the morning of this day, people drink milk after the guide has read prayers. They read poems called Nevruziye, nefes (a poem read by dervishes) and Mevlit (a religious poem and prayer chanted either in memory of a dead person or to mark a special religious occasion) in memory of Ali. They visit graves with pastries that have been prepared earlier and eat these there.
Nevruz, which every society celebrates in forms peculiar to itself, still exists with traditional celebrations in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tatarstan, the Uygur region, Anatolia and the Balkans.
Estonian Spring Traditions
Paastumaarjapäev or Lady Day,
where old customs are performed on the basis of old Estonian folk customs,
where songs are sung and those rituals are performed which Estonian women did years
and years ago in the past. And this bond, when you sing old traditional songs and
undergo the rituals, makes you really feel that you are an Estonian. (Estonian Female)
More than Easter Estonians have traditionally celebrated a spring. There is a day near Easter called Paastumaarjapäev (the Day of Virgin Mary and Fast) which is a women’s day. Women and girls go together to swim in a spring in the sunrise – it will make them fresh and good-looking for rest of the year. After they dance and sing and dance traditional round dances. It used to be the only day when men stayed at home and took care of the house and children. Women colored their cheeks with a herb “naistepuna” (“women’s red”) and went to tavern to have some red liqueur. Celebrating spring contains more or less fertilizing rituals. As we have to do a lot of work to making something grow, these rituals have an important place in our traditions. It is not only necessary for getting a good harvest from your field but also having a lot of children who will work in your farm.
where old customs are performed on the basis of old Estonian folk customs,
where songs are sung and those rituals are performed which Estonian women did years
and years ago in the past. And this bond, when you sing old traditional songs and
undergo the rituals, makes you really feel that you are an Estonian. (Estonian Female)
More than Easter Estonians have traditionally celebrated a spring. There is a day near Easter called Paastumaarjapäev (the Day of Virgin Mary and Fast) which is a women’s day. Women and girls go together to swim in a spring in the sunrise – it will make them fresh and good-looking for rest of the year. After they dance and sing and dance traditional round dances. It used to be the only day when men stayed at home and took care of the house and children. Women colored their cheeks with a herb “naistepuna” (“women’s red”) and went to tavern to have some red liqueur. Celebrating spring contains more or less fertilizing rituals. As we have to do a lot of work to making something grow, these rituals have an important place in our traditions. It is not only necessary for getting a good harvest from your field but also having a lot of children who will work in your farm.
Czech traditional Easter food
Easter board represents the joy from coming spring and
new life season, good health, harvest, satisfaction and happiness. Food symbolizes at basic story of Christian belief,
dead and rebirth of Jesus Christ. Do you know what is good to prepare for Green
Thursday, Big Friday, and White Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday and why?
Green Thursday remains last God’s dinner and Judas betray. There is the fact that spring already begun, there are flowers, leaves, nature is becoming green, and our body needs vitamins. It is necessary to eat green food / spinach, herbs, cabbage, pea soap…. Thursday is good day for warm cake calls „jidasky“ with honey for breakfast. The cake remains Judas rope that he used for committing suicide to please Jesus on the other word to forgive him.
Green Thursday remains last God’s dinner and Judas betray. There is the fact that spring already begun, there are flowers, leaves, nature is becoming green, and our body needs vitamins. It is necessary to eat green food / spinach, herbs, cabbage, pea soap…. Thursday is good day for warm cake calls „jidasky“ with honey for breakfast. The cake remains Judas rope that he used for committing suicide to please Jesus on the other word to forgive him.
Recipe “Jidášky”
Ingredients
80 ounces of flour, 12.5 ounces of butter or vegetable oil, 10 ounces sugar, 2 egg yolks, 1 cube (42 grams) yeast, about 1 / 2 liter of milk, half a teaspoon of salt.
Recipe Preparation
In yeast, a little sugar and flour, milk and a warm yeast prop. When the yeast will come ready to pour it into sieved flour mixed with salt. Add the warm melted oil and warm milk and prop stiffer dough aside in a warm place to rise. Dough roller to divide into parts and roll each cylinder of a diameter of 1-1.5 cm. Cut into long pieces about 15 -20 cm, pieces of news production into a spiral, both ends toward the middle, each end of the other party, etc. Put on a greased baking tray and let rise. Before baking, brush with the melted butter and roast tones. Deleting the cooled honey, honey or other sweet spreads.
Recipe Rating: Quantity: 6 persons, Preparation time: 120 miutes, Difficulty: everybody can
80 ounces of flour, 12.5 ounces of butter or vegetable oil, 10 ounces sugar, 2 egg yolks, 1 cube (42 grams) yeast, about 1 / 2 liter of milk, half a teaspoon of salt.
Recipe Preparation
In yeast, a little sugar and flour, milk and a warm yeast prop. When the yeast will come ready to pour it into sieved flour mixed with salt. Add the warm melted oil and warm milk and prop stiffer dough aside in a warm place to rise. Dough roller to divide into parts and roll each cylinder of a diameter of 1-1.5 cm. Cut into long pieces about 15 -20 cm, pieces of news production into a spiral, both ends toward the middle, each end of the other party, etc. Put on a greased baking tray and let rise. Before baking, brush with the melted butter and roast tones. Deleting the cooled honey, honey or other sweet spreads.
Recipe Rating: Quantity: 6 persons, Preparation time: 120 miutes, Difficulty: everybody can
Easter Traditions in Lithuania
“Velykos”
= Easter
The word for Easter, Velykos, has
been borrowed from Byelorussian and means "important day." The word
is very accurate because Easter was the year's most solemn festival in
Lithuania. On this holiday the Christian elements (the Resurrection of Christ)
merges with pagan Lithuanian traditions, the rebirth of nature or its awakening
from winter's sleep.
Palm Sunday The Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday when the Christian world celebrates Jesus' noble entry into Jerusalem on the last Sunday before Easter. A lot of people go to church that day where they bring “verba”, special Palm Sunday bouquets made of dry flowers. They serve the same symbolic function as palm branches do in Southern countries.
Palm Sunday The Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday when the Christian world celebrates Jesus' noble entry into Jerusalem on the last Sunday before Easter. A lot of people go to church that day where they bring “verba”, special Palm Sunday bouquets made of dry flowers. They serve the same symbolic function as palm branches do in Southern countries.
Dyeing Techniques for Easter eggs
There were three main methods of egg decorating:
drawing designs with wax, scratching designs on dyed eggs and eggs painting
with natural products (onion peels). Numerous designs consisted of blossoms,
snakes, wheel and cog, stars, branches of rue, snowflakes and many others.
Easter & egg tradition in ancient Rome
The Leghorn chicken comes from Livorno.
Chickens, eggs and Italy go back a long way. Recipe books from ancient Roman daily life
use 'peafowl' eggs and ancient writings show that chickens were regularly used
in sacrifices.
Ever heard of the 'Leghorn' chicken?
It takes its name from Livorno, the part of Italy it originated from long before Christopher Columbus took it to America.
And long before Christianity adopted the egg as a part of Easter traditions, the ancient Romans believed that "omne vivum ex ovo" - all life comes from the egg - and it was commonly a symbol of new birth after the winter when everything has lain dormant.
There is some evidence that, even in ancient Roman culture eggs decorated with vegetable dyes using onion skins, beets and carrots were given as gifts during the spring festivals.
Ever heard of the 'Leghorn' chicken?
It takes its name from Livorno, the part of Italy it originated from long before Christopher Columbus took it to America.
And long before Christianity adopted the egg as a part of Easter traditions, the ancient Romans believed that "omne vivum ex ovo" - all life comes from the egg - and it was commonly a symbol of new birth after the winter when everything has lain dormant.
There is some evidence that, even in ancient Roman culture eggs decorated with vegetable dyes using onion skins, beets and carrots were given as gifts during the spring festivals.
Easter egg tradition in Italy : chocolate Easter eggs
As chocolate became increasingly popular in the early
20th Century, the skills of knowing how to color Easter eggs started to fade,
and chocolate eggs began to take the place of painted hens' eggs. Chocolate Easter eggs have now overtaken decorated eggs in Italy as the most
popular gift at Easter. Italians take everything chocolate very seriously -
and Easter eggs are no exception.
Chocolate eggs have become increasingly elaborate as manufacturers tempt people to buy their eggs. In every tiny village in Italy, every supermarket, shop window and market stall will have a huge variety of chocolate eggs in the days leading up to Easter Sunday.
They range from the tiny, solid milk chocolate to the massive, showy hollowed out eggs containing sometimes quite elaborate gifts. All of them will be wrapped in foil or, more commonly, cellophane; most will have at least decorative ribbon, often massive bows.
And, despite Italian engagement ring tradition being to give and receive a ring on Valentine's Day modern customs are beginning to use Easter eggs as a way of surprising a partner, the ring being hidden in the hollow egg.
Chocolate eggs have become increasingly elaborate as manufacturers tempt people to buy their eggs. In every tiny village in Italy, every supermarket, shop window and market stall will have a huge variety of chocolate eggs in the days leading up to Easter Sunday.
They range from the tiny, solid milk chocolate to the massive, showy hollowed out eggs containing sometimes quite elaborate gifts. All of them will be wrapped in foil or, more commonly, cellophane; most will have at least decorative ribbon, often massive bows.
And, despite Italian engagement ring tradition being to give and receive a ring on Valentine's Day modern customs are beginning to use Easter eggs as a way of surprising a partner, the ring being hidden in the hollow egg.