Easter is just around the corner (29 March – 1 April) and by now the shops and bakeries are filled with Swiss Easter treats and decorations. Let’s take a look at some of the traditions you might find around the town over the coming weeks.
Easter food
As with many countries around the world that celebrate Easter, the shops are quickly filled with chocolate themed Easter gifts. And what better place to pick-up a chocolate gift than Switzerland! You will find rabbits, eggs, and lots of goodies throughout the shops in the lead up to Easter.
Moving to the baked goodies, the Swiss Easter tart (Osterkuchen / Osterchüechli) is a must try. It’s made from rice or semolina and has a layer of apricot jam. You can find it in most bakeries, including Bachmann if you’re in Lucerne. Here is a recipe if you would like to try making it yourself.
You may also see La Colomba – an Italian Easter bread made in the shape of a dove (Colomba in Italian). It is similar to the Italian panettone except with candied Orange peel instead of any additional dried fruit. It is very light, made with eggs, flour, sugar, butter and natural yeast.
Lastly, you might also see some Zopfhasen in local bakeries – rabbit shaped bread and a delicious treat to try.
Decorations
In many shops you will also see colourful Easter decorations ranging from rabbits, candles, crafts, and much more.
Many Swiss will decorate trees during Easter (Osterbaumli), hanging colourful eggs from a small tree or tree branches at home. As the holiday is also associated with the coming of spring there are also plenty of flowers like daffodils and tulips to brighten the home.
Family traditions
A common game you might see during Easter time, either at home or throughout town, is known as Eiertütschen or Egg Smashing. Each player has a hard boiled egg and the goal is to break the opponents egg without breaking your own. Many may also hold easter egg hunts or spend time painting eggs.
As Easter is a religious holiday at its core there will also be special church services held across the Easter weekend. Check your local area to see what’s available.
Across Switzerland there are also traditions local to the region, for example the Weeping Women in the Canton of Freibourg, the Blue Egg swim in Zurich, or Fountain decorating in Geneva.
Did we miss something? We would love to hear any traditions you’ve come across!
