1 / 21

Easter Traditions in Latvia: A Blend of Christian and Pre-Christian Celebrations

In Latvia, Easter consists of special days including Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. The celebrations blend Christian rites with ancient Latvian customs, welcoming the rebirth of nature and the arrival of spring. Special church services commemorate Jesus' resurrection, while families and friends gather to celebrate. Key symbols include colored eggs and willow branches, with vibrant traditions such as the washing of the face in spring water for vitality, the swinging ritual for health, and egg duels to determine luck. Experience the rich tapestry of Latvian Easter customs!

vanna
Télécharger la présentation

Easter Traditions in Latvia: A Blend of Christian and Pre-Christian Celebrations

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. COMENIUS MULTILATERAL PARTNERSHIPS Easter in Latvia Prepared by M.Dunkers

  2. In Latvia, the Easter holiday consists of special days: Moundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday. In addition to the practices of the Christian Church, many Latvians observe older pre-Christian traditions as well to welcome the rebirth of nature and the arrivalof spring.

  3. How is Easter celebrated in the church? Easter is a happy time. It is festival of hope and light. It celebrates new life. In churches Easter will be celebrated with special services. They will be really happy occasions remembering Jesus coming to life after his cruel death on the cross.

  4. Latvia, isa countrywherealmosteveryfeastencompassesChristianandLatviantraditions. Easter isalsotimeforcelebratingthespringsolstice, when, according to Latviantraditionalbeliefsandrituals, peopletry to helpthesoilwakeupandbecomefertile, byencouragingitsbenevolence. Forthemostpart, inLatvia Easter celebrationstakeplaceinthecentralsquares, aswellasincultureinstitutionsandmuseums. Easter isusuallycelebratedinthefamilyoramongclosefriends.

  5. Easter is a festivalofspringandthebeginningofnewlife. Easter symbolsarecolouredeggsandwillowbranches. The Easter EggpredatestheChristianholidayof Easter. Theexchangeofeggsinthespringtimeis a customthatwascenturiesoldwhen Easter was first celebratedbyChristians. Fromtheearliesttimes, theeggwas a symbolofrebirthinmostcultures. Eggswereoftenwrappedingoldleafor, ifyouwere a peasant, coloredbrightlybyboilingthemwiththeleavesorpetalsofcertainflowers.

  6. LatvianTraditionalBeliefs Easter morningyoushouldarisebeforethesunandwashyourfacein a spring to preservevitalityandjoyforthecomingyearand to enhancegoodspirit, healthandbeauty. Thosewhohaverisen first, wakeupthosewhoarestillsleepingandswatthemwithpussywillowsandsteamedbirchbranches, chanting "Apaļš kā pūpols, apaļš kā pūpols, veselība iekšā, slimība ārā" (Roundlikepussywillow, roundlikepussywillow! Healthcomein, illnessbegone!). Thisisgiving a blessingofgoodhealthforthecomingyear.Oneofthemostimportant Easter ritualsisthehangingoftheswingandswinging, sothatyouwillbespared bites frombugsandsnakes.

  7. No Latvian Easter iscompletewithoutcoloringeggs! Andonlynaturalcoloursareused, amongthemonionskins, bark, birchbuds, camomille, andotherfieldplants.

  8. Duelsareanothertradition. Eggsareknockedtogether to seewhichonesurvivescracking. Remember, thosewhoeateggswithout salt, willtell lies allyear!

  9. TheLatvianEthnographicOpenAirMuseumwillcelebrate Easter everyyear, andwillfeature a combinationofChristian, ancientandmodern Easter traditions.

More Related