Poo-like dessert and other Easter traditions

From egg-hiding, -breaking and -eating to something that looks like it already went through your digestive system – Easter traditions from around Europe come in a delightfully broad variety.

Easter, originally a Christian celebration, is largely embraced by believers and non-believers alike. It started already last week with Palm Sunday – a commemoration of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. The Holy Week then follows Jesus' last days from the Last Supper to the Crucifixion and culminates in the Resurrection.

While still quite a religious holiday especially in the Catholic countries of Southern Europe, many people enjoy the more secular forms of Easter celebration, namely eggs and large quantities of food!

The many lives of an egg

The egg – the symbol of new life and therefore cleverly applied into representing resurrection – is a keystone in Easter traditions. It is painted, hidden by the Easter Bunny, rolled down a hill, hit against other eggs and finally, eaten.

There seem to be two disciplines when it comes to decorating eggs: some prefer to cook theirs hard and eat them afterwards; others empty them by making a hole with a needle and blowing. The rest are picky and prefer theirs to be of chocolate or covered in gems à la Fabergé.

Another curious Easter tradition is wetting – that is, throwing water on somebody. In some villages in Romania, boys take a bucket of water, go to the house of an unmarried girl, and if they find her sleeping, throw the water on her. She is naturally flattered, as this suggests that she will marry soon, and gives them the most beautifully decorated egg in return.

Eat until your stomach explodes

Following a 40-day fast, or simply when hungry, Easter celebrators are often treated to lavish amounts of food.

Many Easter Sunday meals include lamb – representing again Jesus, who himself was a "Lamb of God". It is also believed that the Devil will never take the form of a lamb, therefore it should be safe to eat.

Many countries have a tradition of Easter breads as well: the Portuguese decorate their folar with nothing less than whole eggs, while the Russians take pieces of kulich to their dead relatives in the cemeteries – accompanied naturally by a shot of vodka.

Once stomachs are full, it is time for dessert. A Finnish delicacy is a sticky, brown paste called mämmi. While it resembles something that comes out of your rear end, it is quite close to dark beer in taste. Covered by a thick layer of sugar and soaked in full-fat cream, it will reward diners with an enjoyable, round taste – presuming you dare to try it!

To sum it all up, Easter means five free days for us to throw water, eat well, and maybe even start getting rid of all the kilos gained from excessive eating of chocolate eggs.

The Communications Sub-Committee would like to wish you all a very relaxing Easter!

Taru Itäniemi,

DG EAC

How do YOU celebrate Easter? Let us know by using the comments form below!

PS. Before you jam the thread with your queries, mämmi can be found in Rue du Luxembourg 20 ;)