Easter in Hungary

                To begin with the beginning let me mention that almost every country share certain holidays such as Easter and Christmas. I would prefer to talk about the tradition of Easter. Believers and not believers do not celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the same way. Not only do faithful humans fast on Good Friday, but also they do not eat meat whole Holy Week.

                Very religious people begin fasting from Monday to Thursday during Holy Week. Fasting means eating 3 times a day but only one time is possible to eat one’s fill. Such tradition differs according to different faith. The peak point to fasting is Friday when beside the previously mentioned rules faithful individuals should not consume meat at all except fish.

                The former usage is worldwide spread while Hungarian Easter consists very special and unique elements. First of all ham is prepared for dinner on Good Saturday  and it makes the dominant part of the meal, eaten with hard-boiled egg, horse-raddish and fresh vegetable salad. Moreover on Easter Monday at dawn boys wander round the dwelt place with buckles and sprinkle the female acquintances with water. It’s for making sure that girls and women remain fresh and beautiful until next Easter. In return males are rewarded with home-made cakes and hand-painted eggs.

                Colours of eggs have different meanings. For instance, if a boy recevied red egg, it would mean that the girl loves him, or yellow egg means hating. The more years pass, the less tradition remains. Recently boys sprinkle girls with cologne water, and they compete in collecting more money, than the other boy because they recevie money instead of egg.

                Contrary to common belief giving chocolate bunny and eggs on Easter to children is not an outstanding phenomenon in the world. As far as I am concerned, not only do Hungarian parents surprise their offsprings hiding sweety in nests in the garden, but also German and British families do so. Youngsters all over the world believe that Easter Bunny carries and diguises the eggs ad chocolates at sun-rise. Furthermore they are as happy as a dog with two tails when the find the presents.