On Maunday Thursday, children dress up as witches and “go witching” to neighboring houses, where they exchange their homemade Easter letters with drawings and greetings for candy and small gifts. And this is what this post is about! Sweden is not a very religious country. Like any Swedish holiday or “fest”, food and drink plays a BIG part in the celebrations. When you open your house door and you find Swedish kids standing on your door mat, dressed like... Easter decoration. Påskris are made of birch twigs in an arrangement with colorful feathers. Swedes celebrate easter in March/April. I do remember the weeks before my arrival and the […], Hello hello! Houses, streets and shops are decorated with baby chickens, yellow Easter daffodils and branches decorated with feathers. This is probably due to the fact that Easter is seen more as a secular holiday instead of a religious one. When. But least you forget, this is Sweden. This is a series that we KI Ambassadors are doing where we write about different areas of Stockholm. The modern Swedish Easter table is filled with beautifully crafted Easter trees, påskris, påskgodis, and finely decorated paper eggs. A traditional Swedish Easter table will look like a “smorgasbord”, which is a Scandinavian word for a whole-day buffet with hot and cold dishes. Having said that, any location away from big cities is an ideal venue for Easter. Easter Sunday is a public holiday. Since I am living in Östermalm, it makes sense for […]. In the Bohuslan Coast, people used to celebrate by making huge bonfires. Easter holiday in Sweden starts on Maundy Thursday and concludes on the Easter Monday. Traditionally, people decorate their houses with colourful feathers and eggs and go for picnics and barbecues. You might be surprised to hear that easter is celebrated in Sweden, given that many are devout atheists. Home Calendar Holidays Sweden. You can also find bonfires to “scare the devil spirits”, specially in the southwest coast of Sweden. In Swedish, Easter is Påsk and this day, as many other celebrations, is full of food, family dinners and decoration. Sounds like Halloween, but nope! Swedes’ biggest candy day is Maunday Thursday. Apart from celebrating the Easter holiday, Swedes also mark the coming of spring. At Easter, Swedes decorate eggs and hang colored feathers on Easter branches in their … Here in Sweden, it also means the return of sunny days. Påskbord. However, most of them look forward to the long Easter weekend as an opportunity for family reunion or a vacation in the beaches. Tomorrow marks the first day of Påsklov (the Easter Holidays) here in Sweden. Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus' resurrection from death. Children dress up as “Easter witches” – wearing colored headscarves, and painting their cheeks brightly red – they go from house to house knocking on doors and asking for candies. However, most of them look forward to the long Easter weekend as an opportunity for family reunion or a vacation in the beaches. Sweden is not a very religious country. It's an hour of musical numbers in both Swedish and English and is very well-done. I know, it is somewhat confusing. 29 April, 2021, Hello hello! People get some days free of work. I had Snapchat during this Easter and many of you were extremely curious to know how this holiday is celebrated here, and if Snapchat was not enough, here I will explain everything I saw and experienced in a real Here in Sweden, it also means the return of sunny days. Another feature of Swedish Easter that I find curious is decorating your house with “Påskris”, which is commonly referred as the Swedish equivalent of a Christmas tree. Easter is a holiday favorite since it usually marks the start of spring. When Easter rolls around in Sweden, it’s often the signal for Swedes to head out to their stuga or country cottage. In Sweden, it’s also a day when witches come out. You do NOT want to mess with them. Bonfires are lit (according to folklore, Easter hags flew off on broomsticks to dance with the devil at Blåkulla, and the fires were to scare off the evil). Although this holiday is celebrated widely around the world, each country might have a particular way to approach it. During Easter week, sales of candy in Sweden increase by 50% compared to any other week of the year. It also meant missing our family and friends back in the US, that’s what Swedish Easter meant to me! During Easter week, sales of candy in Sweden increase by 50% compared to any other week of the year. Traditionally, people decorate their houses with colourful feathers and eggs and go for picnics and barbecues. But Easter was also the coming of the spring that's why we have chickens and egg. Påsk (Easter) usually takes place in April, and the flower stalls begin to fill with Päskliljor (Easter lilies, or daffodils), tulips, sprigs of pussy-willow, and brightly-coloured feathers – a Swedish Easter tradition. It influences the way holidays are celebrated, with no exception to Easter. There are a couple of strange additions though… The word “påsk” comes from the Hebrew word “pesah”, meaning passing. In Sweden and parts of Finland, what looks like our Halloween takes place on either the Thursday or Saturday before Easter. No Swedish Easter celebration would be complete without some “Snaps”, which is a seasonal liquor usually taken as shots between one dish and the next one. The Swedish Easter holiday is a five-day affair, starting on Skärtorsdag (Maudy Thursday), and goes right through to Annandag Påsk (Easter Monday). Celebrate Easter in Sweden When. However, Easter is celebrated as a holiday of spring. It was full of family gatherings and faith. Even though it is an almost a week holiday, shops and other establishments prefer to open. Easter is a holiday favorite since it usually marks the start of spring. People were also supposed to mark Shrove Tuesday by eating seven hearty meals before observing a 40-day fast. It is a secular holiday, even though some of its traditions indicate that Swedish påsk’s origins predate Christianity. Many of the things you don't know about Easter have to do with odd, intensely national Holy Week traditions. ), train rides, trips in the country, wind machine exploring, looking at houses, lots of wine, churches and most of all spending time with those I love. If you have lived in Sweden long enough, without a doubt, you have noticed that Swedes are not a religious nationality. Swedes’ biggest candy day is Maunday Thursday. Families sit down for a traditional lunch that, among others, consists of pickled herring, potatoes, cured salmon, meatballs (of course we could not forget about these), eggs topped with fish roe and the famous Jansson’s temptation – all together with spiced schnapps. While many other countries typically … In Sweden Easter is called 'Påsk' and the word probably originates from the Hebrew word 'pesach'. Although most of the population live in cities, holidays like this one are an opportunity to escape to the countryside and have fun with friends and family. In Sweden, the Easter celebrations used to begin with the three days of Shrovetide, full of carnivals, games and revelry. Easter surprise. On Karolinska institutets websites, we use cookies in order for the websites to work well for you. In Sweden, for most people, Easter has become a holiday for resting, instead of representing a period of abstinence or mortification. In some places there is also a tradition of big bonfires. See below for a great Easter Concert put together by the Stockholm South Stake. Easter (Sw. påsk, pronounced ”poh-sk”) is the foremost holiday in all Christian countries. Easter is a great example of how Swedes are really in love with nature. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrating in the church. Easter is a significant holiday in Sweden each year, with three public holidays occurring on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Easter surprise. Estabild, c/o Pinterest . 4. Julian Stratenschulte/picture alliance/dpa/AP Images. This is the case for Sweden. They don’t have an Easter bunny but Easter witches, they play jokes with each other and they also get time off on Good Friday. Easter is known as Påsk in Swedish. Swedish Easter – a joyous foodie feast. While in other countries Easter is a religious holiday - celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ through church Masses - in Sweden Easter has become more of a secular holiday. Do Swedes celebrate Easter at all? The entire city is decorated with feathers in all the colors of the rainbow – a tradition that started in the late 1800s. It’s been 8 months since I arrived in Stockholm for the Nutrition science master’s degree, time surely flies bye! Although the weather is still a bit cold for swimming, people usually focus on outdoor activities. LeRon even has a part in it. The Swedes have been decorating birch trees since the 19 th century, a practice that originally served as a … Glad påsk – What Swedish Easter is all about, You SHOULD actually stay in Stockhom this Easter. It lasts an entire week and you should expect various places to work in modified hours, so plan ahead, and be prepared for when your favorite store ends up closed. No, it's påsk, easter in Sweden. Since I am living in Östermalm, it makes sense for […] It’s been 8 months since I arrived in Stockholm for the Nutrition science master’s degree, time surely flies bye! Easter Witches. Eggs are a favourite on the Easter tables for Swedes … Suggested countries: United States | Australia ... Ascension Day is the 40th day of Easter. If you have  lived in Sweden long enough, without a doubt, you have noticed that Swedes are not a religious nationality. Holy Saturday, Midsummer's Eve, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are also de facto holidays. This is the case for Sweden. Although this holiday is celebrated widely around the world, each country might have a particular way to approach it. Study in Stockholm is run by Stockholm Academic Forum, the peak collaborative body and collective voice of the City of Stockholm and its 18 universities. Beginning with a little throwback in the history, the word “påsk” derives from a Hebrew word “pesah”, which means passing. According to another Swedish legend, during this time, witches acquire more powerful and fly to Blåkulla (the blue mountain) to meet the devil. All of the supermarkets are filled with all sorts of tempting candies and snacks during this time, and since påsk normally falls on a Friday – it’s the perfect excuse to get some for Saturday, which is also another very Swedish tradition (lordag godis). Swedes celebrate easter in March/April. In my home country Holland the resurrection was celebrating very much. A tradition is for kids to dress like “Påskkärring” (Easter witches) and walk around the neighborhood in groups asking for sweets and candy. Easter is known as Paask in Sweden which is a week-long celebration. Yes, we do, but… the most common celebrations have their origin not in Christian mythology but in … Glad Påsk. 30 April, 2021, Gosh!!! Sweden's Easter Witches. given that the recommendations are not to travel, even to other parts of Sweden, so go ahead and read on to find out more about the tradition. Linkedin: https:/www.linkedin.com/in/julio-sosa-maldonado-659301175/, Use of week as date periods It’s very common here to describe a time period as week number “aaa”. Just like Christmas, Easter is a real family celebration in Sweden. In Sweden, Easter is a Time for Witches. Third Quarter Moon. ), 5 tips before coming to Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm accommodation: life in Östermalm. This site works best if you enable javascript. During that time, people were not allowed to eat eggs, cheese, milk or meat. When the standard working week in Sweden was reduced to 40 hours by the Riksdag, all Saturdays became de facto public holidays. Here’s a quick overview to understand how Swedes celebrate this occasion. However, Easter is celebrated as a holiday of spring. This is a series that we KI Ambassadors are doing where we write about different areas of Stockholm. In some places there is also a tradition of big bonfires. Contrary to most western catholic countries, this holiday in Sweden is officially celebrated from good Friday until Monday after Easter (4 days). For instance, “this class starts on week 16 and ends on […] In the Stockholm area, the bonfires are usually lit by the end of April during Valborgsmässafton or Walpurgis Night, to banish the revenants of last winter. Marking the arrival of spring, Easter is celebrated with gusto in Sweden. It's not surprising that when the hens began to lay eggs again and the fast was over, eggs were a popular feature at the Easter festivities. When you open your house door and you find Swedish kids standing on your door mat, dressed like witches, don't feel confused it's already Halloween. Celebrate Easter in Sweden. It is a Christian observance and is the day after Easter Sunday. I do remember the weeks before my arrival and the […] Easter Candy in Paper eggs instead of Chocolate Easter Candy. Easter is a holiday favorite since it usually marks the start of spring. Home Calendar Holidays Sweden Easter Monday Easter Monday in Sweden Easter Monday is observed as a public holiday in many countries and is part of the Easter period. Easter begins on Palm Sunday where people organize holy processions through the streets, holding small willows to commemorate the arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem. The Swedes celebrate Easter somewhat differently than we do. The Easter smorgasbord usually includes herring, salmon, lamb, as well as a variety of bread, cheese and vegetables. However, mostly the day is about fam Whichever way you choose to celebrate påsk, I’m sure you will have lots of fun. As Easter is one of the best seasons to go for a vacation, holiday trips and fun-filled picnic mark the arrival of Easter season. So why not start off with the most unexpected one — the Easter Witch. Holidays and Observances in Sweden in 2021. While Sweden is a very secular country, Swedes are happy to embrace traditions that have religious origins. In Sweden Easter is most celebrated as a holiday. To Christians Easter commemorate how Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected. On the occasion of Easter in Sweden, people do attend church prayers and services. Easter in Swedish: påsk. In Sweden, it’s also a day when witches come out. Two popular dishes for Easter are “Gubbröra” (egg salad with anchovies) and “Sill” (pickled herring). Easter celebrations in Sweden . Beginning with a little throwback in the history, the word “påsk” derives from a Hebrew word “pesah”, which means passing. You can go to church or watch the service on TV. In the Christian calendar, the Thursday before Easter is a holy day that kicks off the celebration of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, which culminates on Easter Sunday. Cookies on the website. Easter Candy in Paper eggs instead of Chocolate Easter Candy. Beginning with a little throwback in the history, the word “påsk” derives from a Hebrew word “pesah”, which means. Swedish Easter – the origins. Easter in Sweden was glorious. – that involves solving riddles and finding clues. Easter is more than just a festival - it is a religious occasion that is celebrated with great splendor and glory. Nordicphotos / Alamy. As Easter is one of the best seasons to go for a vacation, holiday trips and fun-filled picnic mark the arrival of Easter season. Later on Christians started to celebrate Easter too - here in Sweden in the 12th century. Although this holiday is celebrated widely around the world, each country might have a particular way to approach it. Easter Sunday and Pentecost are always on Sundays, but they are seen more like main holidays than ordinary Sundays. Once Easter is over, you can look forward to Valborg or Walpurgis night which takes place on 30 March. Shops’ displays are filling up with yellow chicks, colorful eggs and widely-smiling bunnies – typical, you could say, of Easter symbols. In other words, it’s just a less scary (and sunnier) version of Halloween. Activities included playfully thrashing each other with birch twigs and tobogganing down steep slopes. Sweden. . Last but not least, make sure you have some candies for the Easter witches, though! In 2022, it falls on a Sunday, and some businesses may choose to follow Sunday opening hours. The origin of påsk (Easter) in Sweden. Plenty of shops close or have reduced hours over this time, and Påskdagen, Easter Sunday in Sweden, is even a flag day . It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. Swedish Easter witches | ©Bengt NymanBengt Nyman / Flickr When they return home they have an Easter egg hunt – more sweets! In Sweden, Easter is a Time for Witches - REAL SCANDINAVIA In Sweden, Easter is a Time for Witches In the Christian calendar, the Thursday before Easter is a holy day that kicks off the celebration of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, which culminates on Easter Sunday. But actually, Easter is a big deal, even if the tradition is largely secular. The grandeur of the festival is seen from the fact that a week before Easter, the entire country revels in the Eastertide festivities and shops are gaily decorated in … From what my Swedish friend told me, these are 4 things that Swedes do during påsk, even till today: Do keep in mind that påsk is a holiday after all. On the occasion of Easter in Sweden, people do attend church prayers and services. It is a religious holiday that commemorates the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. Sweden’s Easter festivities involve a rich smorgasbord of Swedish food, sweet treats and decorative crafts – as well as unique customs shaped by the country’s cultural heritage. It was about great meals, (did I mention family? ), https:/www.linkedin.com/in/julio-sosa-maldonado-659301175/, Julio Sosa - Health Economics, Policy and Management, Some small things that have surprised me in Sweden (part 3/? Lots of candles too, which is very Swedish. For instance, “this class starts on week 16 and ends on […], Gosh!!! Mar 30, 2012 - Birch twigs: Decorated birch twigs are a common sight in Swedish homes during Easter. These twigs originally served as a reminder of Christ’s suffering by which young people would playfully lash each other with silver birch twigs on the morning of Good Friday. W alking around Stockholm, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that Easter is getting closer day by day. Good Friday... Used to be celebrated by listening to sad songs and dressing up nicely, but today it is … In Sweden and parts of Finland, a mini-Halloween takes place on either the Thursday or Saturday before Easter. Houses, streets and shops are decorated with baby chickens, yellow Easter daffodils and branches decorated with feathers. Swedes still respect the traditions associated with Easter, but not necessarily for religious beliefs, but more out of custom. Considering that Swedes, compared to most other nationalities, are a very secularized people, one can wonder how Easter is celebrated in Sweden. Here in Sweden, it also means the return of sunny days. Påsk (Easter) in Sweden is like anywhere else in the world: eggs, spring chickens, floppy-eared bunnies, and daffodils! A day in the life of a global health student, Some small things that have surprised me in Sweden (part 2/? 30 April, 2021, Use of week as date periods It’s very common here to describe a time period as week number “aaa”. Either your browser does not support javascript, or javascript is disabled. Friday, 26 March 2021. Let us dive into Påsk traditions and try to figure out how to celebrate Easter like a local. In Sweden, for most people, Easter has become a holiday for resting, instead of representing a period of abstinence or mortification. Children dress up as witches and go door to door with a copper kettle looking for treats. However, mostly the day is about fam One of the main Easter traditions in Sweden, as in many other countries, is the Easter egg. While many other countries typically have a tradition of chocolate candies at Easter time, in Sweden, beautifully painted paper shells are available which come in many sizes and are filled to the rim with candy goodies. Jesus was described as the Lamb sacrificed by God, so lamb is traditional food at Easter in Sweden. Swedish Easter Traditions Include Feathers, 'Hags' and of Course, Lots of Eggs! 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