By Francesca Montillo, ISDA Food + Travel Writer
Easter is Italy’s second most celebrated holiday, right after Christmas, of course. Palm Sunday sets the tone for the entire week with religious celebrations and traditions.
Yes, Italians celebrate the entire Holy Week leading up to the big day. You will find that many offices and schools are closed on Good Friday, and some even the Thursday before.
The Passion of Christ takes place all over Italy on Thursday night. Called Maundy Thursday or “Holy Thursday,” it is the day Christians believe Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. Many churches reenact this scene, as well as the Last Supper on the Thursday prior to Easter.
Holy Friday is the day churches reenact the Via Crucis. “The Way to the Cross” is the 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ’s last day on Earth as a man.
Most towns in Italy celebrate in a processional pilgrimage and reenactment that ends at the town of Calvary (the site of Christ’s crucifixion).
Vasa Vasa, or “Kiss Kiss”: On Easter Sunday in southeast Sicily, there are two processions. One carries a statue of the Risen Christ and the other carries Virgin Mary, clad in black and in mourning. They are carried around the town’s main streets, until they meet.
The Virgin is so content to see her risen Son that she throws off her black robe to reveal a celestial blue cloak and red dress. As she leans forward she plants two kisses on Jesus. Then spectators hear the sound of a band, church bells and fireworks in celebration. It’s a beautiful thing to experience this procession in person.
This is certainly not the only tradition, cities such as Florence, Abruzzo, Milan and others have their own similar celebrations, usually including a procession, fireworks and musical bands. Not to be missed in person is Florence’s Scoppio Del Carro.
The Monday after Easter is called La Pasquetta (“Small Easter”), the day is reserved for peaceful hikes in the mountains and openair markets in cities.
While the days leading to Easter can be very somber and subdued, and Easter Sunday is reserved for family, La Pasquetta is a joyous day mostly reserved for friends and famiglia. To do it properly, one must pack a picnic basket and head for the mountains!
Some foods that are enjoyed during Easter week include:
- Stracciatella: Simple broth / soup with egg in it.
- Agnello (Lamb): A favorite choice of meat for Easter in Italy.
- Artichokes and Potatoes: Traditional side dish to agnello, especially in Rome.
- Pizza Ripiena (aka: Pizza “Chiena”): Neapolitan stuffed pizza filled with cured meats, salami, cheeses, hard boiled eggs, ricotta, parmigiano cheese and mozzarella
- Colomba Pasquale: Dove-shaped sweet yeast bread very similar to Christmas panettone but shaped like an Easter dove.
- Easter Bread: Sweetbread topped with whole (shelled) colored or plain eggs. In Calabria, this is called “Cuzzupa Calabrese.” Typically eaten for Easter breakfast.
- Pastiera: Neapolitan tradition of ricotta pie filled with cooked wheat and scented with citrus zest.
- Chocolate Easter Egg: Italians give children chocolate eggs as opposed to chocolate bunnies.
- Click here for Easter recipes.
Make the pledge and become a member of Italian Sons and Daughters of America today!
