Posts tagged w/ easter

Special Easter Mission for You

Posted by Anna Ikeda
Apr
11
2009

Easter day is almost upon us and pretty soon the church bells will go crazy and wake everybody up.
But before that happens, here are a few things to remember about Påsk in Sweden.
It’s a two day holiday. Easter Monday is known as Annandag Påsk.

What are some traditional Easter foods? This being Sweden, it has to be inlagd sill (pickled herring), lax (salmon), eggs, and even meatballs. And I’m hearing that Easter bunny, as in rabbit meat, is gaining popularity, too. The main meal is normally followed by dessert, for which most people would serve mandeltårta (almond cake). And what’s this assortment of foods called? Påskbord.

How about drinks? Here påskmust is a must. Similar to julmust, but the Easter version has a yellow label with Easter chicks on it, or something like that. Påskmust is slightly lighter in flavor than julmust, but just by a tiny bit. As far as soft drinks go, I am not fond of either one. To me they both taste like bad rootbeer with a hint of laundry detergent.

So, to those who celebrate – enjoy your holiday. And to those who don’t – enjoy your days off!

And while you’re sitting around and gorging on eggs and meatballs (or rabbit meat) I have a special mission for you, if you choose to accept it.

Let’s say, you live overseas (not in Sweden) and have a Swedish friend, or a family member coming to visit you. What kind of gifts from Sweden would you like to receive? I am at a total loss here and your suggestions will be much appreciated. Help me out here, please!

 
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Swedish Easter Traditions

Posted by Anna Ikeda
Apr
7
2009

So, as most of you probably know, this is the week of Easter, known in the Christian tradition as Holy Week. In Swedish, it’s Stilla veckan or Passionsveckan.

And this is how the days of the Holy Week are known in Swedish:

  • Monday - blåmåndag or svarta måndag
  • Tuesday - vita tisdag
  • Wednesday – dymmelonsdag
  • Thursday – skärtorsdag
  • Friday - långfredag
  • Saturday – påskafton

And of course Sunday is known as Påskdagen.
The Swedish word for Easter is Påsk, which comes from the Hebrew word “pesach”, which of course doesn’t mean “Easter” in the Jewish tradition, but Passover.

I have to admit, this is my favorite time of the year. Partly this is due to my wonderful neighbor who bakes up a storm during this week and brings over all sorts of yummy sweets and cakes that are traditionally served during Easter in her native country.

But, how does the Swedish Påsk traditions differ from what is common in other European lands? One difference is the kids who dress up as Easter witches and go door-to-door (at least they do in some neighborhoods) in a manner similar to trick-or-treating and get candy in exchange for Easter greetings. This custom is known as “påskkärring” and I think it’s particularly sweet. In some areas in my part of Sweden, in Västerbotten, the tradition got reversed and it’s the kids who bring candy to the homes they visit.

What else? There are of course Easter eggs – påskägg, which are decorated, as in other countries. But sometimes people refer to those big cardboard eggs filled with candy as “påskägg” as well. Personally, my favorite påskägg are those made of chocolate. Yum!

One tradition that I am not so fond of is “påskris”, simply because I am horribly allergic to most things with branches that sprout leaves or buds. Påskris are simply branches (mostly birch) decorated in a festive manner. It’s an Easter equivalent of Christmas tree.

This year, I’m missing all this wonderful stuff, because I’m abroad.

If you want to know more about Swedish Easter traditions, take a look at this article on the Nordiska museet website. It’s in Swedish, but well worth the effort to read it.

Glad Påsk everybody!!!

PS. The blog is still having some technical issues and I can’t post any photos. Bummer!!!

 
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