Easter is traditionally celebrated in the Salzkammergut with many customs. Each region has its own traditions: from the consecration of the palm bushes and the "ratcheting" to the blessing of Easter food and Easter pretzels. But one thing is of course eagerly awaited everywhere on Easter Sunday: the Easter bunny!
Palm Sunday is the sixth and last Sunday of Lent and marks the beginning of Holy Week. In the Salzkammergut, this day is celebrated in many places with the consecration of palms and palm processions. Palm bushes, the symbol of Palm Sunday, are tied according to old tradition. In the Dachstein Salzkammergut region, palm bushes, palm sticks, real palm fronds and olive branches are blessed with holy water and carried in the procession. Palm Sunday is also celebrated with similar customs in the Attersee region. Incidentally, the last person to arrive for breakfast on Palm Sunday is humorously referred to as the "Palmesel".
From Maundy Thursday, the bells fall silent and "fly to Rome". In the Fuschlsee region, children are out and about with the ratchets during this time, which take over the function of the bells until the Easter Vigil. Good Friday is a religious day of mourning on which the suffering and death of Jesus Christ is commemorated. The Ratscherbuben then make their grand entrance at Lake Wolfgangsee and are rewarded with sweets, eggs and money for their memories of prayer and church services.
On Easter Sunday, food is blessed during the church service. The blessed food, such as meat, bread and eggs, is then eaten with the family at the Easter snack. In the Fuschlsee region, the filled Easter baskets are brought into the church for the blessing of the food. In the Mondsee-Irrsee region, "Göd" and "Godn" - the children's godparents - visit the families with the traditional Easter pretzel. These hand-moulded baked goods have their origins in the realm of myths and legends and, in Christianity, symbolise strength and a shared meal.
But the star of Easter Sunday is undoubtedly the Easter bunny! According to legend, the Easter bunny paints the Easter eggs and hides them in the garden for the children. He is the traditional symbol of Easter, while the religious Easter lamb has little significance. On the morning of Easter Sunday, the children look for their Easter nests, which are usually filled with decorated Easter eggs, chocolate Easter bunnies and lots of sweets. And who knows: maybe the Easter bunny will also hide a nest for the little Aichinger guests ...
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