9ο Δημοτικό Σχολείο Χαλκίδας Γιάννης Σκαρίμπας

In Slovakia tradition plays a significant role in the life of people since it preserves the unique heritage of their religious past. Easter celebrations constitute the cornerstone of the Slavic tradition and the focal point of the culture. Easter is the most significant Christian holiday. Easter was established as a holiday in the second century. Sunday was chosen by the council of Nicea as the day of celebration since it is the day of the week on which Jesus rose from the dead. It is the Sunday that follows the first full moon after the spring equinox (between March 21 and April 25). Therefore it is a moveable holiday and its date changes every year. This year (2015) Easter was celebrated in Slovakia on April 5.

Preparations for Easter

In Slovakia people start preparing for Easter days before the celebration. Extensive grocery shopping and baking pastries and cookies are part of the preparations in order for them to be ready for the big feast.

Easter Menu

The Easter menu in Slovakia is always festive. People eat potato salad with mayonnaise, cooked ham, cold cuts, and sandwiches on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.  Cookies and pastries are part of the Easter menu as well.

Religious and cultural celebrations

Religious and cultural celebrations take place on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

Good Friday commemorates the death of Jesus Christ. People visit the churches on this day. It is a state holiday in Slovakia. However, stores and supermarkets are usually open.

On Easter (White) Saturday, celebrations begin after dusk. Holy liturgies begin with the blessing of fire and lighting the Easter Paschal candle. This symbolises the resurrection of Jesus. A reading from the Old Testament accompanied by organ music and bells follows. At the end of the masses, the celebration of the resurrection begins. This recommences on Easter Sunday. A very important clerical ceremony is the untying of the bell and its first ringing.

Easter Sunday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is considered the culmination of the entire Easter week and its holidays in Slovakia. It is the end of the period of Lent.

Easter Monday is also connected with the custom of bathing or soaking girls with water and ‘whipping’ them with a willow whip. The symbols of this day are water, the colour green and decorated eggs which are exchanged in return for the ‘whipping’.

Special Slovak Easter Traditions

• Water pouring which is called “Oblievacka”  is a typical Easter Monday custom in Slovakia. The character of oblievacka slightly varies from region to region. On this day men visit their female relatives and friends and pour water on them or spray them with perfume, and whip them gently with special whips made of braided willow rods. According to tradition, pouring water on women will guarantee their beauty and good health throughout the year. During this tradition men may sing songs and play the accordion. Then women reward men with sweets, fruit, money, or painted Easter eggs. Recently this custom has not been as intense as it used to be in the past decades.

• There are many kinds of Easter eggs in Slovakia. They are called ‘kraslice’ and are quite popular in Slovak tradition. Kraslice are painted, dyed, or otherwise decorated blown eggs. The most beautiful are those eggs with small holes on the surface. Many decorate kraslice at home or buy them at market or at the craft store. These elegantly decorated eggs make great gifts for families and friends.

• On Easter Sunday, when returning from church in the morning, people walked around their house in order to ensure a good harvest. Before Easter dinner, an egg was also divided among all family members to remind them not to forget each other and to stick together. Another folk tradition was rubbing cattle with the lard from Easter dinner in order to protect them from snakebites