Florence celebrates Easter with the Scioppo del Carro (Explosion of the Cart) in which white oxen pull a large, heavily decorated cart, filled with fireworks, through the streets of Florence until it reaches the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. After Mass, the Archbishop sends a dove-shaped rocket, causing a spectacular display.
After the Lenten period of fasting and abstinence, Italians celebrate by eating great quantities of meat; Pannetone and Colomba (dove shaped, to remind us of the Holy Spirit) bread are often given as gifts, as are hollow chocolate eggs that usually come with a surprise inside.
When a baby is born around Easter, it is traditional to name the child Pasquale (for a boy) or Pasqualina (for a girl).
During Holy Week, Italians take part in processions in order to remember and enact the events preceding the death of Jesus on Good Friday. Italians will sometimes walk for miles, following a stature of Jesus, or of his mother, Maria (also known as the Madonna in Italy).
The cake below is called Colomba Pascuale (meaning Easter dove) and is a dove-shaped cake made in a similar way to panettone, with flour, eggs, sugar, yeast and butter. The dough is then shaped like a dove and covered with sugar and almonds before baking. It is the traditional Easter cake in Italy.
On Easter Sunday (La Domenica di Pascua) it is customary to eat lamb, and the meal is typically large and with multiple portions with meats, cheese, pasta and other delecatessen, followed my rich desserts. This meal is always a great family occasion!
How do you celebrate Easter?
Image from pxfuel.com
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Image from Wikipedia Commons
Image from Wikipedia Commons Commons
Iona Robinson
ARTE E CULTURA
ARTE E CULTURA