Easter, known as Pasqua in Italy, is one of the most important holidays of the year. Pasqua is a weekend full of traditions and religious celebrations throughout Italy. To Italians, the Easter holiday is just as significant as Christmas and should be spent surrounded by friends and family. Similar to most holidays celebrated in Italy, you will always find strong family culture, food, and ceremonies on the weekend of Pasqua. This blog will help enlighten you on some of the popular traditions surrounding this special holiday.
Religious Rituals and Celebrations
Pasqua is a heavily religion-based holiday throughout the country of Italy. The Vatical City in Rome holds a massive celebration put on by the Roman Catholic church. Vast crowds of people gather outside of Saint Peter’s Basilica and watch the pope give a blessing. You will find celebrations in most Italian cities and towns held on Good Friday or the Saturday after. People walk through the streets in elaborate costumes and put on exciting displays and shows that everyone can be a part of. Easter Sunday is typically spent at church to celebrate the real purpose of this religious holiday.
Traditional Easter Foods
Food is arguably the most important element of any Italian holiday, and Easter is no exception. The culture in Italy revolves around eating good food while enjoying the company of your loved ones. You will almost always find a vegetable appetizer composed of artichokes stuffed with breadcrumbs and garlic. A lamb dish such as lamb chops or braised lamb is usually served as the main Easter dish. Pasqua isn’t complete without Italy’s traditional Easter bread to enjoy after the meal or the following morning. These sweet bread are made with braided dough and commonly topped with dyed hard-boiled eggs, frosting, and sprinkles.
Children’s Easter Egg Tradition
It’s not easter without colored eggs! The Easter egg tradition was actually started for religious reasons. Lent, the week before Easter, is supposed to be a week of no meat or dairy. On Easter Sunday, people would give colored eggs as gifts after the week of Lent was over. This tradition stuck and is now a popular activity for children around the world. Hard-boiled eggs are painted or dyed bright Spring colors and bring joy to many Italian children.
Come into Strega to dine with us this Easter weekend and enjoy our version of an Italian Pasqua!
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