Pääsiäisenä

Pääsiäisenä is a Finnish term referring to the Easter season. Easter is a Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is observed on a Sunday, but the celebrations often extend over several days, including Good Friday (pitkäperjantai) and Easter Monday (pääsiäismaanantai). In Finland, Pääsiäisenä is a significant holiday, marked by both religious observance and cultural traditions.

Many Finns attend church services during Pääsiäisenä to commemorate the religious events. Beyond religious practices, the holiday is associated with a variety of customs. Decorating Easter eggs is a common practice, with eggs often painted in bright colors or adorned with patterns. Children typically enjoy egg hunts, searching for hidden eggs in gardens or homes. Another traditional aspect involves birch twigs, known as "virpomisvitsat." Young children often dress up as witches and go door-to-door, offering these decorated twigs in exchange for small treats or money, similar to the tradition of trick-or-treating.

Food plays a role in the celebrations as well. Traditional Easter foods in Finland often include lamb dishes, various pastries, and of course, the decorated Easter eggs. The timing of Pääsiäisenä varies each year as it is based on the lunisolar calendar, typically falling in late March or April. The holiday signifies the arrival of spring in Finland, a time of renewal and warmer weather after the long winter.