More than just the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs

There is far more to Easter than meets the eye

Why do we celebrate Easter?

Easter is an annual Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Three days after his death on the cross, Jesus rose from the dead and returned to heaven. His tomb was found empty, even though the entrance had been sealed and guarded; hence, the resurrection is regarded as Christ’s final miracle. So it is written in the Bible. Yet Easter existed even before Christianity became established. Apart from its Christian roots, Easter was already a pagan festival to celebrate the new beginning of the year and fertility. The custom of hiding eggs originates from this very pagan cultural tradition. Eggs are a symbol of life and were given as gifts. The Church did not approve of this kind of pagan custom, and so, after the Church had made the custom punishable by law, the eggs were no longer officially given as gifts but were hidden in the fields. Gradually, however, the custom was adopted into Christianity.

How is Easter celebrated in Austria?

As well as the usual Easter egg hunt, there are also many different Easter customs in Austria, some of which are observed only within very specific regions. Egg dyeing dates back to the Middle Ages. In the past, eggs were almost exclusively dyed red, as this was the colour of fertility and life. Other theories suggest that egg dyeing may have something to do with Lent. During Lent, eggs were not allowed to be eaten, so people preserved them by boiling them and dyed them to distinguish them from raw eggs later on. Egg tapping is also a widespread custom, in which you choose a boiled egg and tap it against another’s, tip to tip. The loser must eat their cracked egg, and the winner is the one whose egg remains intact at the end. Easter bonfires are particularly common in the mountains. These were used to drive out winter once and for all and to pray for a good harvest. The wooden towers, which can reach up to ten metres in height, also have pagan origins. Another Austrian custom is the Ratscherbuam. As the bells fall silent during Holy Week and do not ring again until Easter Sunday – it is said they fly to Rome on Maundy Thursday – someone else must take on this task. The Ratscherbuam, mostly children from the region, produce a loud, rattling sound with their homemade wooden instruments and parade through the villages. In the Lungau region, there is a unique custom that is now only practised in Wölting. The so-called Gonesrennen always takes place on Easter Sunday. It is the race of the Gänserich, in which couples form a long line with a man (the Gones) standing at the front, who is the only one without a partner. The last couple then sets off separately and the Gones tries to catch the woman. If he succeeds, he rejoins the line with his catch, and the remaining man becomes the new Gones. Among the culinary traditions are the Easter lamb and the sweet Easter plait or Easter strut.

Easter customs from around the world

On the other side of the globe, in Australia, there is no Easter Bunny! There, the long-eared creatures have become a nuisance and are so unpopular that the Easter Bunny has simply been replaced by the marsupial bilby. This is also quite practical, as the bilby can carry the eggs in its pouch.

In Bulgaria, family members throw coloured eggs at each other after Easter Mass. If an egg remains undamaged, its owner is set for a successful year. Eggs are also the focus in England. There, the eggs are labelled with names and shaken vigorously in a sieve. Many eggs break in the process. The last undamaged egg wins. Some people also roll the eggs down a hill. In Ireland, herrings are buried in small graves on Easter Sunday, symbolising the end of Lent. In Mexico, things get wild at Easter. On Easter Saturday, the streets are colourfully decorated and papier-mâché figures are hung up, beaten and burned. This is said to symbolise the victory of good over evil. However, the figures are not limited to villains such as the devil; unpopular politicians also receive their punishment in papier-mâché form. From Poland to Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Romania, women are not safe on Easter morning. They are chased by men and doused with water; some even end up in the bathtub. This tradition is said to drive illness and evil forces out of the body. As a thank-you, the men are given eggs.

Easter for lovers

Easter magic meets surprise magic in the “Winzer Osterkörberl”

Ready for a romantic Easter weekend for two with plenty of magical surprises? Then our exclusive Easter package is just the thing for you! Look forward to a unique Easter surprise basket, melt-in-the-mouth chocolate-covered strawberries and sparkling Piccolo sparkling wine delivered straight to your room. Experience romantic togetherness and relax in a pure wellness atmosphere. Culinary highlights and an exciting Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday round off your celebration. Don’t miss out on this special Easter experience!

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How you choose to celebrate Easter this year is, of course, entirely up to you... :-) But
the team at Hotel Winzer would like to wish you a very happy holiday!

Written by Christian Messmer