The 40 days that precede Easter, known as Lent, is a time for sole searching, for reflecting, a time to repent of sins. It is for this reason that many people choose to abstain from eating meat or sweets (especially the children) on Wednesdays and Fridays. On such days it is typical to eat soups such as 'Soppa ta' l-Armla' (Widow's Soup), artichockes or anchovy pies 'Qassatat ta' l- Incova'.
Today, when we remember 'Our Lady of Sorrows', a procession is organised in various towns and villages. With great devotion worshipers pray, sing hymns and sometimes the devoted walk barefooted behind the statue as sign of sacrifice, to express gratitude for receiving a special grace.
On Good Friday, children and adults parade along with the statues all dressed up as Biblicists figures, Romans soldiers, Jewish attire and other personnages connected with the Passion of the Christ.
The mood changes totally on Sunday, when the ringing of church bells announces the Resurrection of Christ. Mid-morning on Easter Sunday, a procession with the statue of the Risen Christ - 'l-Irxoxt' moves along the streets accompanied by band playing festive tunes. At the end, the way is cleared and the statue-bearers take a run to carry the Risen Christ triumphantly back into the church.
Easter day is traditionally celebrated with a special family lunch. It is also a time to visit relatives and friends, exchanging good wishes and small presents. It’s also tradition to give children chocolate-coated easter eggs and a ‘figolla’, almond-filled pastry in the shape of a rabbit, lamb, fish or heart, covered in icing sugar.
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| Widow's Soup |
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| Celebrating the Resurrection of Christ |
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| 'Il- Figolla' - Easter Almond-filled Pastry |
we celebrate easter with our family and friends. on this day children recieve a chocolate easter egg or a "figolla" which would be in different shapes.
ReplyDeleteDuring the Holy week in Malta on Good Friday there are Processions with statues showing the passion of the Christ and the history of the Catholic religion as from the creation of Adam and Eve. On Easter Sunday most families go out for lunch, the traditional food is lamb.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Easter traditions!
ReplyDeleteIn Malta Easter is celebrated as a feast for the whole Catholic family. It is the end of Lent and also the end of sacrifices. The most popular Easter traditions are Easter eggs and the "figolla"
ReplyDeleteEaster is a feast for everyone who is Catholic and believes in Jesus Christ. On Easter Sunday the whole family goes out for lunch together and eat traditional food. The most popular Easter tradition with children is the Easter eggs.
ReplyDeleteEaster in Malta is a very celebrated event as it is one of the biggest holiday of the Christian church. As a very religiose country we celebrate it by going to mass and spending it with our loved ones after remembering the sorrow and sacrifice of Jesus Christ , we celebrate his resurection. We also give gifts to each other such as Easter eggs and the 'Figolla'
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