In everyone's mind, Easter is an essential celebration that brings joy to both young and old. Along with Christmas, it is one of the most important religious holidays in France, commemorating, as everyone knows, the resurrection of Christ. It is worth noting that in France, the Easter Monday (the Monday after Sunday) is a public holiday. But what are the objects, animals, and activities associated with this day? What are the most original customs and specialties around the world and in France?
Regarding spelling, note that this word is used with a final "s" and a capital letter. For example, you should write: "This year, we will celebrate
Easter with family." Be careful, in this case, "Easter" is a masculine singular noun! When you use an adjective as an epithet, the word becomes a feminine plural noun. That’s why we say "Happy Easter!" to our friends and family.
If this time of year is so popular, it’s because it reflects our
traditions and reminds us of happy moments from our childhood. "Buona Pasqua" in Italy, "Happy Easter" in England, "Frohe Ostern" in Germany, "Felices Pascuas" in Spain: no matter the country,
Easter is a special time of the year.
And for our students coming to take
French courses in France, it’s also a unique opportunity to participate in special activities organized to celebrate this holiday. From egg hunts, creative workshops, to discovering local traditions, you’ll experience Easter from a cultural and festive angle while improving your language skills in a friendly setting!
Among the things closely tied to
Easter traditions in the collective unconscious are of course
chocolate,
bells,
eggs,
bunnies, chickens, and lambs. In reference to the end of Lent and the arrival of spring, the
bunny or hare are symbols of fertility dating back to antiquity.
Our German neighbors have made the Easter hare or "Osterhase" a traditional Easter symbol, even though the
chocolate bunny seems to be taking over in stores, probably due to globalization.
Outside of France,
customs can be very different. How about taking a trip to Australia to see what people do for
Easter? Well, it's not the traditional
chocolate bunny that's in fashion!
Many Australians prefer a small marsupial with large ears and a long snout. This little animal, completely unknown in France, is the bilby. It’s a protected species and is more appreciated than the
bunny because the latter caused damage to crops in the 19th century. "The Easter bilby" or "Easter bilby" is also made of
chocolate and is enjoyed with family or friends.
As for the famous Easter bells, why are they mentioned at Easter? Actually, according to believers, during Holy Week, church bells no longer ring in mourning. On Sunday, to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, they return from Rome and fly across the sky to bring sweets to children.
On the
gastronomy side, the French enjoy lamb. Some opt for the traditional leg of lamb served with potatoes, green beans, or flageolet beans. Others prefer different cuts of meat such as the shoulder or rack.
In Provence, for example, it’s the Sisteron lamb that is famous on the tables. But young lamb is also a highlight in Alsace, in the form of a dessert: the "lammele" or "lamala". What’s that? This word, originating from Alsatian, refers to a typical egg-shaped lamb cookie made with a clay mold.
But the most unexpected specialty probably comes from Central America, specifically Nicaragua. In this country, since eating red meat on Good Friday is forbidden, a local custom dictates that the inhabitants eat iguana meat, served with grilled corn and vegetables. Bon appétit!
Finally, why do we eat eggs at Easter? The Persians, Egyptians, and later the Romans would already exchange decorated eggs to celebrate the arrival of spring. The current tradition mostly dates back to the 15th century when Catholics were not allowed to eat eggs during Lent. Thus, the stock of eggs would be decorated to be given or sold later during the Easter celebration itself.
Among the activities that children love is the famous "egg hunt", carefully organized by parents. In France, this friendly moment is also organized in towns and villages. Decorated eggs or treats are hidden in the garden, allowing the whole family to enjoy the arrival of nice weather. As in other countries, eggs are associated with spring renewal and symbolize the resurrection of Christ. Swedes, on the other hand, prefer a tradition called "Påskkärringar" or "Easter witches". In Sweden, Easter has a Halloween vibe! Children who wish dress as witches and go door-to-door in their neighborhood asking for candy, sweets, or coins.
Finally, since the French are particularly fond of colorful expressions and since you’re also looking to enrich your knowledge of the language of Molière, how about learning a few idiomatic expressions related to eggs and bunnies? For example, "mettre tous ses œufs dans le même panier" means "to put all your resources into the same project," risking everything if something goes wrong. In a more informal context, if someone says to you: "Va te faire cuire un œuf!" (Go cook yourself an egg!), it’s not very friendly… It’s a casual expression used when you're annoyed, meaning "Leave me alone!" Lastly, do you know the meaning of the expression "poser un lapin à quelqu’un"? No? Actually, it’s used to refer to not showing up intentionally for a friendly or professional meeting. Not easy to guess, I admit!
