How do Italians celebrate Easter?

Easter is almost upon us and for Italians it is the most heartfelt holiday of the year together with Christmas. On the blog of Teach me Italian in this article we will learn more about Easter traditions and how Italians celebrate Easter. In Italy, Easter is a very important holiday for the majority of the population, regardless of what may be the Catholic faith for which Easter represents the feast of the resurrection. There are many traditions and customs related to Easter that vary from region to region, but there are also some common celebrations throughout the country. During Holy Week, which precedes Easter, there are several religious processions held in many cities and towns. The processions are often accompanied by sacred songs and prayers and represent the way of the cross of Jesus. On Easter Sunday, Italian families gather to celebrate together, often preparing a large lunch of meat, such as lamb, symbolizing Christ's sacrifice. Traditional dishes include Easter eggs, sweets decorated with chocolate and other delicacies. In some regions of Italy, such as Sicily, it is traditional to take a walk through the streets of the city on Easter morning, wearing new clothes and bringing with you baskets of food and wine to share with friends and relatives as a sign of rebirth and renewed friendship.

Other Easter traditions include the blessing of food, the egg game (in which children challenge each other to roll hard-boiled eggs down a hill), and the tradition of lighting large bonfires the night before Easter for a moment of sharing and prayer, again with a religious vision that dominates.

In general, Easter in Italy is a time of celebration and sharing really felt by all families who choose to get together and invite even the closest friends to celebrate the rebirth of spring and the spiritual rebirth of Easter. The real party, the bacchanalian one, however, is all concentrated on Easter Monday, which Italians dedicate to picnics, endless barbecues or picnics between beach and mountains. As long as the weather is mild...