Glad Pask! This is how Swedes celebrate Easter
Swedes love to party. So it is not surprising that they long for Easter after the particularly dark and cold winter in Sweden.
Get out into nature
The Swedes like to spend their free time in nature, often in a small summer house, the “sommarstuga”. At Easter, many families take the opportunity to celebrate a family festival outside for the first time in the new year. There is also an Easter holiday in Sweden, which makes the time ideal for a short break or a long weekend.
Culinary Easter: The Easter table (“Påskbord”)
For the Swedes, a party wouldn’t be a proper party without plenty of delicious food. Eggs play an important role, as do meat (lamb) and sweets, as these are traditionally avoided during Lent. Nowadays people also like to eat fish, especially herring (which is also eaten on Midsommar), kippers and salmon.
The påskbord is usually set up in the form of a buffet. Light fare is popular at this time of year, including the classic crispbread and cheese variations. Desserts made of marzipan and chocolate are filled in papier-mâché Easter eggs.
The Easter Woman (“Påskkärring”)
On Maundy Thursday, children dress up as Easter women (or Easter witches) and go from house to house begging for sweets and other little things. In return, they distribute small self-painted cards with Easter motifs. The disguise includes a long dress, an apron, a (head) scarf, a broom and a basket or coffee pot in which to collect the sweets. Some boys dress up as Easter boys (Påskgubbe) with a suit, hat and mustache.
The Easter Fire (“Påskbrasa”)
As in many regions of Germany, large Easter bonfires are lit in Sweden. The earliest evidence of Easter bonfires in Sweden is found in Västergötland in the mid-18th century. The bonfires are held on Easter Saturday and are used to drive away the Easter witches.
Crafting tip: The Swedish Easter shrub (“Påskris”)
In Sweden, people decorate their homes with a bouquet of twigs to which colorful feathers are attached. Although this decoration is simple and inexpensive, it is absolutely adorable. Get some Swedish Easter feeling home!
What you need:
- a bouquet of twigs (birch is popular in Sweden)
- wire
- Feathers in your favorite colors (guinea fowl feathers are good for a natural look)
- a vase
That’s how it’s done:
Take each branch individually and place a feather or two on the tip. Now carefully wrap some wire tightly around the quill and branch tip. Repeat with all the branches and place the finished bouquet in an attractive vase with some water. Your Scandinavian Easter decoration is ready!