Glad Påsk!

Happy Easter! Or as they say in Sweden, Glad Påsk!

I've mentioned a few times before how highly celebrated Spring is when it comes back around here to Sverige, and Easter is yet another extension of Swede's embracing this season.   

I honestly didn't expect Easter to be that big of a deal here in Sweden, or at least I didn't expect more of a difference from the typical candy-day and painted eggs. I was thoroughly and happily surprised that my predictions were wrong. 

I was riding the bus into town when I noticed several huge baskets that were spewing with color. I wasn't sure what they were but the beauty of it brought a smile to my face. Swedes certainly don't hesitate to bring out the light and the happiness from their holiday celebrations! As I got a closer look at these constructions of color, I soon found out that they were branches from trees or bushes decorated at the tip with different colors of feathers. I have done a little research as to where this bunch of feathery sticks idea came from- and there are several theories. Either it is meant to symbolize a broom that will wipe away winter, to symbolize a witch's broom and the feathers to induce flight, or more religiously symbolize the suffering of Jesus. 

Not only were there these massive collections of branches scattered across town, but smaller and simpler versions adorned almost every shop and home. 

One thing that is very new to me is that Swedes relate Easter with witches. I found this information about them on TIME Magazine's website-

"In Sweden and parts of Finland, a mini-Halloween takes place on either the Thursday or Saturday before Easter. Little girls dress up in rags and old clothes, too-big skirts and shawls and go door to door with a copper kettle looking for treats.

The tradition is said to come from the old belief that witches would fly to a German mountain the Thursday before Easter to cavort with Satan. On their way back, Swedes would light fires to scare them away, a practice honored today by the bonfires and fireworks across the land in the days leading up to Sunday."

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1889922_1890008_1889927,00.html #ixzz1rZoHF8TM

Unfortunately no little witches came and asked us for candy so I didn't get to experience this part of Easter- but I hear that is a common thing to happen here. 

Swedes have four days to celebrate Easter. Good Friday and all the way through until the Monday after Easter. Most Swedes have some kind of Easter dinner on Saturday- but this year my family decided to pick up the American tradition and have a nice Easter brunch with friends on Sunday. 

Our brunch had three courses; first we started off with the delicious homemade herring, cheese and hard bread, the deviled eggs that I made, and some schnapps, (I still can't get over how funny it is to have such strong liquor and drinking songs invited at the holiday tables!). 

Then we moved onto the main courses- we had a choice of either moose meat or salmon, potatoes, and several other mouth-watering dishes. Eventually our brunch concluded with a lemon pie and ice cream topped with a yellow Marshmellow Peep that I got from home. It was a very nice meal. 

The funny thing is that since the Monday after Easter is also considered part of the holiday weekend, many go out on the town on Sunday because they can rest all day Monday! Many were out in Helsingborg this year especially because our local soccer team had won a game. 

All and all, a Swedish Easter was a fun thing to experience. I'd have to say that all holidays abroad are especially unique and interesting- and I'm so happy that I'm able to experience this first-hand.