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Multicultural Kid Blogs

For families and educators raising world citizens, through arts, activities, crafts, food, language, and love.

Priecīgas Lieldienas – A Latvian Easter

March 7, 2016 by Liene

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The last week of Lent (Holy Week) for Latvians is called klusā nedēļa, or ‘quiet week.’ The Latvian Easter traditions and customs are quite unique. I am sharing how we celebrate the week leading up to it. It is easy to carry out with your own family!

latvian easter traditions | multicultural kid blogs

 

We kick off our celebrations with pūpolu svētdiena, Palm Sunday. The first member of the household that awakens earns the privilege to give everyone else a wake-up call with a bunch of pussy willow branches! Pussy willows are early harbingers of spring, and can be commonly found in the Latvian countryside (as opposed to palms…). Remember to bid your family “apaļš kā pūpols, vesels kā rutks, slimības laukā, veselību iekšā” as you wake them – wishes of good health in the coming year!

latvian pussy willows culture easter

 

Coloring of Eggs in Latvian Easter Traditions:

During the week we continue our preparations by coloring Easter eggs. The traditional methods utilize onion skins, red cabbage and other natural supplies to color and decorate eggs, resulting in dark brown and purple eggs with beautiful designs and patterns. For a more in-depth guide on dyeing your eggs in this fashion, please visit my posts “Œufs blancs” and “Natural Easter Eggs.”

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As the weekend approaches, preparations continue. Thursday is known as zaļā ceturtdiena (“green” Thursday), followed by lielā piektdiena (Good Friday). Either Friday or Saturday I will prepare my grandmother’s paska recipe (which can be found here), a dessert that is borrowed from the neighboring Eastern Orthodox countries.

Paska

Finally Easter Sunday arrives! After church our family will meet for a large Easter lunch, and popular American traditions such as an egg hunt have been incorporated into our celebration. However, there are numerous Latvian customs that make our Easter unique, such as the battle of the eggs (olu sišanās) and swinging – šūpošanās. This magical ritual reflects the rising and setting of the sun, and not only helps the sun climb higher into the sky, but keeps away the mosquitoes the coming year!

swinging latvian culture easter multicultural kid blogs

I wish each and every one of you priecīgas Lieldienas, and a happy Easter, and may your family traditions bring you as much happiness as have ours.

For more Easter ideas:

Easter in Guatemala

Easter in Spain

Easter Eggs around the World

and More… 

 

Series on Easter around the world

This post is part of our Easter Around the World series. Follow along as we explore diverse Easter traditions from around the globe!

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Liene

Latvian-American mom of three boys writes about life in the southern US, her years spent living in France and her family's heritage, customs and traditions.
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  • Priecīgas Lieldienas – A Latvian Easter - March 7, 2016

Filed Under: Christianity, Easter, Europe, Family Activities, Holidays Around the World, Latvia, Learning About Culture, Religions Tagged With: culture, Easter, Easter around the world, Easter eggs, family activities, Holidays Around the World, Latvia

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Comments

  1. Lisa Lewis, MD says

    March 7, 2016 at 8:58 am

    How lovely and festive! I would love for my children to wake me up with pussy willow branches. Thank you for sharing the Latvian Easter traditions!

Trackbacks

  1. Easter Dessert from Brazil: Paçoca de Amendoim - All Done Monkey says:
    March 15, 2016 at 9:07 am

    […] March 7 Femme au foyer on Multicultural Kid Blogs: Priecīgas Lieldienas: A Latvian Easter […]

  2. Easter in Prague - Kids Travel Books says:
    March 17, 2016 at 5:09 am

    […] March 7 Femme au foyer on Multicultural Kid Blogs: Priecīgas Lieldienas: A Latvian Easter […]

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