Easter in Slovakia

It is a time when Christians commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his victory over death and sin. In Slovakia, Easter is a very important holiday celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm.

Traditionally, Easter in Slovakia begins on Good Friday, when Christians prepare for the feast and remember the death of Jesus on the cross. On this day, Easter devotions are typically held and Christians abstain from meat and alcohol.

Easter Sunday is the most important day of Easter and the solemn climax of the entire feast. Christians gather with families and friends, visit churches and celebrate their victory over death and sin. In Slovakia, it is a tradition to go to church for the morning Mass, where Easter services are held. Christians wish each other "Christ is risen" and respond "He is risen indeed!"

In addition to Easter, Easter Monday is also celebrated in Slovakia, when various traditional customs take place. For example: 

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Egg colouring:

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Dyeing eggs is an ancient custom and has roots in many cultures and religions. In the Christian tradition, dyed eggs are considered a symbol of new life and renewal. The colours with which the eggs are decorated also have symbolic meaning - for example, the colour red symbolises the blood of Christ and the colour green symbolises growth and renewal.

In addition to the Christian tradition, egg dyeing also occurs in many pagan cultures. In ancient civilizations, eggs were dyed on the occasion of the vernal equinox as a symbol of the awakening of nature and the renewal of the cycle of life.

Dyeing eggs at Easter has become part of traditional customs and ceremonies and is still practiced in many countries around the world. In Slovakia, eggs are dyed, for example, with onion skin, coffee or turmeric. The dyed eggs are then given to family, friends and neighbours as a symbol of renewal and a new beginning.

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Whipping with a corkscrew:

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The tradition of whipping at Easter with a korbáč has been a part of Slovak culture for several centuries. There are several theories and explanations as to why this tradition became so popular in Slovakia and why it is girls who whip themselves.

One theory is that the korbáč was a symbol of spring energy and renewal. Whipping the girls with the korbáč was meant to symbolize the awakening and revival of nature after a long winter, and it was also meant to serve as a symbolic act of renewed strength and health for the whole family.

Another theory is that whipping was a way for men to test their prowess and strength, as the korbáč was used in the past as a tool for both work and defence. Thus, the whipping post may have also served as a test for girls to show their endurance and stamina.

Nowadays, the tradition of Easter whipping with a korbáč is becoming less and less popular in Slovakia and is often practiced only in some regions. For some people, however, it is still an important part of Slovak culture and tradition that they want to preserve and pass on to future generations.

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Pouring water on girls: 

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Dressing girls with water at Easter has also been practiced in Slovakia for several centuries.

One theory is that water was a symbol of life, purity and purification in the past. Thus, pouring water on girls may have served as a ritual cleansing and purification before the beginning of a new season. In addition, pouring water on girls may have also served as a way of awakening the natural forces of spring.

Another theory is that throwing water on the girls was a way of expressing love to them and rewarding them for the frolic. This was a way for men to show their feelings for the girls while having fun and showing their playfulness.

Nowadays, the tradition of pouring water on girls at Easter is becoming less and less popular in Slovakia and, like the whipping with a corbac, it is often practiced only in some regions. However, it is important to be sensible and respect the will of girls who do not want to be spanked.

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There are many traditional customs and ceremonies associated with Easter in Slovakia. Some of them are:

• Shortening the straw: It is a custom where straw is placed on the table or on the windows at Easter and then shortened at short intervals. This custom is meant to symbolize the shortening of winter and the coming of spring.
 
• Egg dyeing: this custom consists in coating the eggs by scraping, boiling in onion skins or dyeing them with different colours. The dyed eggs are then given to family, friends and neighbours as a symbol of renewal and new beginnings.
• In many places, people used rapping and knocking to symbolically expel Judas Iscariot, who had betrayed the Saviour Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver. On Maundy Thursday, therefore, boys ran out of the church after Mass with rapping and clapping their hands, shouting at the same time: "Judas we chase, the kneelers we ring, while we pray." In some areas, people even waved a straw figure of Judas as well.
• Easter breakfast: after the first Easter Mass, a special breakfast is traditionally served, which includes sausages, bacon, eggs and bread.
• Blessing of food: On Easter Sunday, a basket of food - meat, bread, eggs, bacon, sausages, vegetables and fruit - is brought to church to be blessed and then served for Easter breakfast.

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These and other customs and traditions are associated with Easter in Slovakia and help to maintain cultural identity and strengthen ties between families and communities.

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